By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 10, 2018.
Jim Bedford
1956 – 2018
Edward James Bedford, beloved husband of Shirley Bedford, passed away in Calgary, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the age of 62 years.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 – 50 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. A private service will follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Besides Shirley his loving wife of twenty five years, Jim is survived by his six children and twelve grandchildren Tyler, Cara and Callen Bedford of Edmonton; Steven, Melissa, Siena and Kai Bedford and Kaeden and Quinn Souter of Sylvan Lake; Shane Utke, Lera Myers and Roland Tomter of Coleman, British Columbia; Tyler, Shawna, Hunter and Carter Utke of Taber; Logan Utke, Jen Westerhoud and Grayson and Skylar Utke of Taber; Courtney, Kevin, Reid and Avery Kunz of Taber. He is also survived by his sister Debbie (Ted) Benson of Bowen Island, British Columbia. Jim will be dearly missed by all of his family and many friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Maxine and Ted Bedford, grandparents Ed and Florence Bedford, Jim and Emma McEwen and Leonard Hepburn.
Jim was born in Virden, Manitoba on May 22, 1956. He attended school in Virden and graduated from Virden Collegiate. Jim was an avid football player in high school and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were his team.
Jim worked in Red Deer after high school and returned to Winnipeg to attend Red River Community College where he studied Environmental Technology. He married in 1980 and lived in Virden where his sons Tyler and Steven were born. Jim worked at Continental Emsco in Virden and then moved to Taber to manage their store. In 1993 he opened Midfield Supply in Taber with Ken Fritz. In the fall of 2010 he left to manage Baron Oilfield Supply where he was employed at the time of his passing.
In 1993, Jim married Shirley and four more children joined his family. He was devoted to his six children and twelve grandchildren and to his dog Raz. Nothing was more important to him than his family and his wife Shirley. They enjoyed their life together, especially riding their Harley’s The last few winters they spent at their home in Arizona which Jim enjoyed immensely. Another of his favourite hobbies was power lifting.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Jim’s name may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K7 (http://www.heartandstroke.ca) or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5 (http://www.cancer.ca).
Jim’s family would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to save his life. They include his co-workers at Baron, the ambulance crew and doctors and staff at the Taber Hospital, the STARS team that flew Jim to Calgary and the amazing and caring staff at ICCU at Foothills Hospital. Thank you to all of Jim’s friends who have given their support to the family.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
Cindy Lee Conine
1961 – 2018
Mrs. Cindy Lee Conine of Coaldale, passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the age of 56 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
COURT
SEAN TIMOTHY COURT, beloved husband of Sara Campbell Court of Raymond and father to Ronnie and Norah, son of Tim and Carol Court of Cardston, passed away in Raymond, Alberta on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the age of 40 years.
Sean is also survived by his grandmother; Faye French, his siblings; Tami (Carlos) Tolley, Lindsey (Mark) Still, Ben (Shay) Court, his mother-in-law; Lorraine Campbell, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends may meet with the family on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, RAYMOND STAKE CENTRE, or prior to the service at the church on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from 12:00 to 12:45 pm.
The Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 pm on Wednesday at the Raymond Stake Centre with Bishop Dirk Salmon officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond.
To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca
DAVIS, KENNETH EDWARD
JULY 1ST, 1942- JULY 3RD, 2018
Ken’s family announces with great sadness his death on July 3rd at the Andy Moog Hospice Center in Penticton, B.C.
Ken was born in Fort Macleod to parents John and Eva Davis.
Ken is survived by wife Sandra of 53 years, son Wayne of Toronto and daughter Bonnie of Vancouver. Also survived by sister Kay Legrandeur and brother John (Barbara). Nephews Dan, Cary, Cam Legrandeur and Tim, Mike, Luke Davis and their families. Uncle Ken was loved by his nephews. He made them laugh and they all have happy memories.
At a young age Ken left home to make his way in the world. He began his work life as a salesman for a magazine publishing company, a job that would take him across Canada, to the British Isles and eventually to South Africa. He was a natural born salesman and could sell ice to an Eskimo!
Starting in sales he eventually had his own crew; recruiting and managing sales people.
It was in Durban South Africa where he met Sandy on a blind date, they fell in love and married. They had 2 children shortly after, Wayne and Bonnie, who were born In Johannesburg. After 25 years and political unrest during Apartheid, he and Sandra decided Canada was a better opportunity for the family. They packed up kids, their possessions, their cat, and boarded a Greek freighter ship in Pretoria which took them a month to get to New York, then a train to Shelby Montana, Grandpa John picked them up and took them to Alberta.
From there Ken and Sandy drove to the Okanagan looking for a house. On their way to Kelowna, they happened upon a quaint small town named Peachland, saw a for sale sign and stopped. They bought the house right beside a creek close to the lake, and started a new life, where they have lived in the same house since 1977.
Ken’s philosophy was hard work made one successful! He was an avid entrepreneur and started several businesses. He was successful in the insulation business and the underground garden irrigation business. He was his own marketing manager as well as hands on doing the work. He owned an apartment building in Penticton for the last number of years which kept him busy with repairs and maintenance, and plenty of drama!
In retirement his passion was golf, he loved to play poker, and was a darn good snooker player.
He was a wonderful, caring, kind man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Peachland at the Legion on July 15th from 1-5pm. Please bring stories, photos and poems of inspiration.
George Forchuk
1921 – 2018
George Forchuk formerly of Vauxhall, beloved husband of the late Jeanette Forchuk, passed away in Lethbridge on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the age of 97 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the funeral home prior to the funeral service between 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. The Burial Service will follow at the Vauxhall Cemetery at 2:30 P.M. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
George is survived by his children Sharon (Jim) Jones of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Sheila (Curtis) Miller of Lethbridge, Susan (Dave) Duell of Regina, Saskatchewan, Morris (Cheryl) Forchuk of Delta, British Columbia and Shirley (Scott) Milliken of Cranbrook, British Columbia as well as thirteen grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren and one great great grandson. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law Phyllis Anderson, Eileen Forchuk and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Jeanette Forchuk, his parents George and Helen Forchuk and two brothers, three sisters and numerous in-laws.
George was born in Lethbridge on April 4, 1921. He attended school in Hardieville, Retlaw and Turin. George spent his youth helping his father farm their land. In 1937, they bought a farm by the Bow River and moved into the Vauxhall area.
In 1945 George met Jeanette at a dance and a romance followed. They were married on July 18, 1946. In 1950 when his parents moved to Lethbridge, George and Jeanette moved to the home place where they raised their five children.
George was always interested in fishing and hunting and at one time was a hunting guide. He began raising German Shorthaired Pointers and Bow Valley Kennels was formed. He sold dogs all over Canada and into the States. He enjoyed curling and golfing and was a champion trap shooter. He was also an avid hockey fan. In his later years he looked forward to coffee row every day and a game of crib.
In 1976 George and Jeanette moved into Vauxhall and George continued to farm until his retirement in 1980. They did some travelling and enjoyed going on cruises. A few years after Jeanette passed away, George’s health started to decline and he sold his house and moved to the Clearview Lodge in Taber. In 2011 he moved to the Legacy Lodge in Lethbridge where he resided until his passing.
George was a hard worker, a loving family man and a dedicated community supporter. It was his quiet nature, his incredible sense of humour and his cheerful attitude that we will always remember.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
McGRATH
ELSIE OPAL McGRATH, of Lethbridge, AB, beloved wife of the late William J. McGrath, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the age of 83 years.
Elsie will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Andrea Knibbs of Lethbridge, AB, son Sean (Luisa) McGrath of Mississauga, ON and granddaughter Angie Knibbs of Calgary, AB. She will also be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her niece Marilyn Anderson (Bill Elliott), grand-niece Dawn (Bob) Campbell, and their sons Riley, Wyatt, and Duncan. Elsie also leaves to mourn her beloved nieces and nephews in Manitoba – Essie, Sam (Robin), Scott (Violet), Janette, Noreen (Rick), Patty, Jocie, and Clayton (Bonny) and grandnephews Gordon of Lethbridge, and James of St. Albert. She was predeceased by her parents John Cummings and Elsie Falconer, sisters Irene Viznaugh and Marie Thomas, her brother Frank Anderson, brothers-in-law Billy Viznaugh and Ian Thomas, niece Kathy Anderson-Broderson (Brent) and nephews Len Anderson and Miles Thomas.
Elsie was born in Warren’s Landing, MB, and grew up near the shores of Lake Winnipeg. As a young adult she moved to Saskatoon and began her career as a health care aide. While working in the Saskatoon Sanitorium, she met her husband Bill, an immigrant from Ireland with a penchant for writing. He wooed her with his love letters and they married in 1959, settling in southern Saskatchewan. In 1966 they moved to Lethbridge, and Elsie began working at the Lethbridge Auxiliary Hospital, where she forged lifelong bonds of friendship with her coworkers.
Elsie had a great passion for golf. She and Bill joined the Henderson Lake Golf Club in 1967, and she received her 50 year membership award last July. She loved the game and excelled at it, winning numerous tournaments over the years, including club and city championships. More than trophies however, she valued her deep and lasting friendships with her golfing buddies. She was very much a fixture at Henderson, until these last two years when her health declined.
Each winter while Elsie waited for the course to open, she kept herself busy. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and The Lethbridge Food Bank, and loved to help yearly with Operation Red Nose. She enjoyed her days at both the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization and Nord-bridge Seniors Centre, visiting and working on her puzzles. In later years she especially loved to spend time with her ‘grandboys’ Riley, Wyatt, and Duncan.
Elsie dealt gracefully and positively with her health concerns over the years. She may have walked with a limp and a cane, but she did it while humming and whistling a tune. In celebration of Elsie’s life, a Memorial Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Glenda Wert officiating. A Reception will follow at the HENDERSON LAKE GOLF CLUB, 2727 South Parkside Drive, Lethbridge, AB, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The family would like to especially thank the staff of 4C and 5B at Chinook Regional Hospital, and Drs. Leam, Brewer and MacIntyre for their kindness and care these last months.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Elsie’s name can be made to The Lethbridge Food Bank, 1016 2nd Ave S, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 0C9, or to the Patricia Beach Community Club, P.O. Box 48, Beaconia, MB, R0E 0B0.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
MILLS
DALBERT CHARLES MILLS (Kiyo’ Ina’Po – Bear Goes East), passed away surrounded by family at St. Michael’s Health Center – Palliative Care Unit on Friday, July 6, 2018 at the age of 69 years.
Dalbert’s memory will continue to live on in his siblings: Teresa (Erwin) Mills, Randy (Doreen) Mills, Ivory (Donna) Mills, Edward Mills and Evelyn (Andrew) Wells. Delbert is also survived by his special nephews: Jade (Sloan) Mills and Bailey Mills.
A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME – 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 5:00 P.M. A Wake will follow at the same location from 6:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. with Joe Eagle Tail Feathers officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH – 604 13th Street North, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, July 13, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Lukas Drapal, Celebrant.
Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Allan Park
1949 – 2018
Allan Lee Park of Fort Macleod, Alberta, beloved husband of Catherine Park passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the age of 68 years young.
Allan was born on October 9, 1949 to Benson and Hazel Park in the log house on their family farm west of Dungannon, Ontario. He attended school in Dungannon and after finishing school, he worked on the farm with his dad and with other area farmers. On October 10, 1965, the day after his 16th birthday, his brother Larry drove him and three of his friends to the train station in nearby Stratford, Ontario and the four boys headed West.
Allan immediately fell in love with Southern Alberta and was proud to call it home. Although he never forgot his family history and where he came from, he embraced his life and the history that preceded him here. Allan met the O’Sullivan family upon his arrival to the Fort Macleod area. He was welcomed as a family member and learned the art of concrete which became his craft.
In 1971 Allan married Cathy Buzunis. Together they raised two daughters, Angela and Leanne and later two grandsons, Nicholas and Eric who were the absolute light of his life.
Allan was a sports fanatic, a lover of every sport, especially hockey, baseball and boxing. He had an affinity for Muhammad Ali, the Montreal Canadiens and was known to be a “walking encyclopedia” for virtually any sport.
In life and in sport Allan believed in equal opportunity for all. He derived great pleasure from watching kids enjoy themselves and made a point of ensuring that everyone got to have FUN.
Allan was predeceased by his parents, Benson & Hazel Park (1983 & 2005), brother Kenneth Park (2001), sister Beverly Park (1954), nephew Kurtis Reynolds (2010).
He is survived by his wife Cathy of Fort Macleod; daughters Angela of Calgary and Leanne of Fort Macleod; grandsons Nicholas and Eric (Edmonton area); siblings Eleanor (David) Compton of Lucan Ontario, Marilyn Bradley of Burlington, Ontario, Larry (Melba) Park of Lucknow, Ontario, Diane Burt of London, Ontario, Colleen Naylor of Sarnia, Ontario, Doug Park of Toronto, Ontario, Janice Brindley of Goderich, Ontario; as well as numerous extended family members.
A Celebration of Allan’s Life will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at the FORT MACLEOD AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY HALL, 301 – 25 Street, Fort Macleod, Alberta. Interment will be held prior at 1:00pm in the Fort Macleod Cemetery, with the Right Reverend Sidney Black, officiating.
For those who wish, memorial donations in Allan’s name may be made to Kidsport, 1001 – 3 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0J3.
Please feel free to meet at the cemetery gates at 12:45pm on Thursday to walk along side Allan as he is laid to rest.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.
Sharon Joyce Vander Woude
1953 – 2018
On Sunday, July 8, 2018 “Auntie” Sharon went home peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior.
Sharon was born May 8, 1953 and lived all her life in the Nobleford area. A true farm girl at heart, she was the only daughter of John and Alice Vander Woude.
Despite having many health challenges, Sharon lived life to the fullest without complaint or hesitation. Auntie loved her family and found joy in photography, music, nature and walks. She was always ready for a good debate and was passionate about her Calgary Flames (which is debatable).
She dearly loved her Lord and lived every day in the calm assurance of His saving grace.
Sharon is survived by her brothers Rob (Linda) of Ponoka and Lauren (Sheila) of Lethbridge; her much loved nieces and nephews Dustin (Amber), Jordan (Chelsea) of Lethbridge, Mackenzie (Josh) Swaok of Littleton, Colorado and Amy (Josh) Martin of St. Albert; and great nieces and nephews Dominic, Madison, Draven, Elliot, Mahlon, Finley, Anabelle and Austin.
She was predeceased by parents John and Alice.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at NOBLEFORD- MONARCH CEMETERY.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at NOBLEFORD CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 522 Highway Ave., Nobleford, AB., with Pastor Daniel Zapula, officiating.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a private condolence.