March 29th, 2024

THURSDAY, June 28th, 2018


By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on June 28, 2018.

LAURIE

DAVID EUGENE LAURIE, beloved husband of the late Darlene Josephine Laurie of Taber, AB, passed away, surrounded by family, at St. Michaels Palliative on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the age of 74 years.

At David’s request no formal funeral service will be held.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com


Kaljo Pohjakas

1923 – 2018

Kaljo Pohjakas of Lethbridge passed away peacefully on June 23, 2018 at the age of 94 years. Kaljo was born August 12, 1923 in Raasiku, Harjumaa, Estonia. His life journey travelled the globe beginning in Estonia and ending in Canada; and navigated through WWII. His last working position was as Department Head of the Land Classification Branch for the Alberta Government, from which he retired in 1988. It is impossible to pen a man’s life story when his accomplishments and influence are so far reaching in all aspects. So instead, we, his family, say farewell to a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather whose impact on us will live through many generations. We love you. Kaljo is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Lilian Pohjakas; daughter Tiina (Darryl) Williams and their children: Dexter and Tyson; daughter Lea (Mark) Switzer and their children: Arthur (Catherine)Switzer, Eva (Jason) Lamb, and Anna Switzer; and his great grandchildren: Noah, Eden, and Charlotte Lamb. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Steve Bateman to officiate. Cremation will be entrusted to MARTIN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.


Alma Severtson

1920 – 2018

Mrs. Alma Severtson of Lethbridge, formerly of Enchant, beloved wife of the late Mr. Harry Severtson, passed away at Good Samaritans Park Meadows on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at the age of 98 years. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at MARTIN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS, 610-4th Street South, Lethbridge, AB. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at ENCHANT COMMUNITY HALL, 127 Center Street, Enchant, AB with viewing one hour prior. Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.


TAILFEATHERS

JOHNEL RAE “PEACHES”

TAILFEATHERS (ARMSTRONG)

Born – August 21, 1943 – June 25, 2018

Peaches passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, June 25, 2018. She left behind many family and friends who cherished her and loved her deeply. She is survived by her children Gina (Tim), Tracy (Slim), and Dee Dee. Her Grandchildren Frankie, Benji, Clay James, Ruby, Rylan, Fallyn, McCarthy and Dylan. Great Grandkids, Rhyle, Cooper, Piper & Jamieline, adopted Grandkids, Charmayne, Trey, Chase, Rodie and Bentley.

Peaches was born in Browning , Montana on August 21, 1943 to Ursula Walters Higgins and John Armstrong, to the end of her life she cherished the memories of her father as she was named after him. Peaches attended school in Browning and later moved to Seattle with her family. They returned to Browning where she graduated high school in 1961, she made many life-long friends in high school which continued to this day. Peaches moved to Denver, CO and attended the School of Business. In 1972 she moved to Canada with her husband Butch where they raised their children. Peaches was an awesome Mom and Grandma, never too busy to pick up kids after school, sew costumes, make Easter bonnets, cook a meal or lend a hand. Her children and grandchildren were the centre of her life. Mom made everything better and always went above and beyond for her family she leaves her family with many happy memories. Peaches went back to school and received her Bachelor of Education at the U of L in 1989, from there she continued her education at the University of Montana Missoula where she received her Masters’ of Education and was the valedictorian, from there she worked for school district 51 in Lethbridge. Peaches then returned to the University of Montana Missoula and received her Doctorate (without Dissertation). She was a true supporter of education and encouraged young and old to go to school, as education is the key to personal growth and opens doors and minds. She then began working in the Faculty of Education at University of Lethbridge where she was a professor for 16 years, Peaches also taught at Red Crow Community College. She loved educating future educators. Peaches loved visiting with her students and hearing their stories and encouraging them, she was a true advocate for the power of education.

Peaches was a member of the University of Lethbridge Senate and also on the Kainai Board of Education. Johnel and her late husband traveled extensively and enjoyed learning of other cultures and customs but most of all they enjoyed meeting people. She was a very proud member of the Blackfeet Tribe and made many trips back to her hometown to visit her

family and loved meeting with the 60’s Reunion group. She loved spending time at the Cabin her husband built in St.Mary’s and visiting with all the lake friends. She is survived by her siblings Mona, Mary, Laurie, Patty, Kitty, Magoo (Jim). Predeceased by her husband Butch, her siblings, PeeWee (Dolores) & Don, Suni, her Mother Ursula, her father John and beloved Grandma Stella, aunts Nelly, Topsy and uncle George. Let Johnel’s mantra to treat everyone good and always be positive and supportive be remembered. Her grace and beauty will always be her legacy. She will always be remembered by her adopted sisters Audrey Eagle Bear, Dolly Creighton. The family would like to thank Dr. Szobota, Dr. Benke, the Nursing staff in Unit 3B at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital and the Nursing Staff at the St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit for the compassionate care and dignity shown to her.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate her Life will be held at the SOUTH HILL CHAPEL, CARDSTON, on Friday, June 29th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in the Family Cemetery. Send condolences to:

http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca


Tomasz (Tom) Verch

1973 – 2018

Tomasz Daniel Verch of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Dawn Steil-Verch passed away suddenly on June 20, 2018 at the age of 44. Tom was born in Sulecin, Poland, July 4, 1973 and raised by his mother and grandparents in nearby Torzym until emigrating to Canada in March of 1983. Tom Graduated from Winston Churchill in 1992, where he played for the Bulldogs football team. In addition to playing and coaching little league baseball, Tom also enjoyed working out, riding bikes and spending daddy time at the park. Before his young son Lucas came along, Tom most loved playing video games -from early Nintendo to Starcraft on the computer. He was very proud of his “Action Per Minute” score and joked it was his greatest talent. After graduation, Tom attended Lethbridge College in the Recreation Program and later moved to Vancouver to attend the DigiPen Institute of Technology for video game programing. Nothing gave Tom satisfaction though like providing excellent customer service and he built a career of going above and beyond in a variety of industries from managing Arbys, driving cab, and working at Winners Retail Outlet and Sunlife Financial. Tom partnered with friends in Nacon Plastics, and most recently Lush Tile and Décor. It was a dream come true for him to be a business owner. Besides his loving wife Dawn, Tom is survived by his young son Lucas, and three adult step children: Aurora, Alexandra and William. Tom is also survived by his mother Irena Milcev, and sister Amanda Michalezki of Lethbridge. Sadly, Tom was predeceased by his father Werner (Vernon) Verch of Berlin, Germany many years ago. Tomasz Verch was a dedicated family man, and friend. Being a charismatic and vibrant soul, he had an extensive circle of friends, who will miss him and his witty sense of “polish” humour. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, June 29, 2018 at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Canon James Robinson officiating. To honour Tom, we encourage people to wear something blue, or mix matched socks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Verch Funeral Fund at http://www.gofundme.com.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.


Joy Weste

1948 – 2018

Mrs. Joy Weste of Coaldale, beloved wife of Mr. Gilbert Weste, passed away peacefully at the Edith Cavell Care Centre in Lethbridge on Monday, June 25, 2018 at the age of 70 years. Born on January 7, 1948 in Twillingate, Newfoundland, Joy enjoyed school, reading, cooking, and sewing with her family. In 1962 she met the love of her life, Gilbert, getting married in 1966 in Agincourt, Ontario, at Knock United Church. Over the next 8 years, her family grew to include daughter Lisa, son Rick, and daughter Lori. In 1982 she moved with her family to Grande Cache, where she continued her love of cooking, working at a few restaurants until she bought and ran her own restaurant, Dina’s, when they moved to Sparwood, BC in 1985. They enjoyed life in the Elk Valley, welcoming grandchildren and great grandchildren until they retired to Coaldale in 2006. Besides her loving husband Gilbert, Joy is survived by her two daughters Lisa Ellison (Bob) and Lori Weste (Rod), and one son Rick Weste (Michelle). Also left to mourn are her grandchildren Ethan Weste, Emily Weste, Anthony Petovello, Matthew Petovello, Alyssa Petovello, Niki Ellison, Bobbi-Jo Ellison, Samantha Ellison, and Alex Nippard. She is also survived by one sister, Bernice Weste (Terry). A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at the JAPANESE UNITED CHURCH, 821 – 9 Ave. N., Lethbridge, AB, with Reverend Eva Stanley, officiating. Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Services. For those who wish, memorial donations in Joy’s name may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 or Diabetes Canada, 6223 2 St SE #220, Calgary, AB T2H 1J5.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.

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