FRIDAY, November 23, 2018

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on November 23, 2018.

CHISHOLM, Dr. Forbes Robert October 22, 1954 –

November 20, 2018

Rob was born in Calgary, Alberta. He developed a fascination with animals as a small child living with his family on an acreage in Bearspaw where he communed with nature and learned to ride horseback. During adolescence Rob was hired by a local rancher as a summer farmhand where he cut his teeth as a rancher which would develop into his passion and career. Rob excelled in academia from a young age. In grade nine at Red Deer Lake School he received the Governor General award for outstanding academic achievement. In grade 12 at Lord Beaverbrook High School he earned three awards for exceptional academic, athletic and social aptitude. After two years of studying for a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Alberta his high marks allowed him to skip two pre-vet years of study and go directly into veterinary medicine at the University of Saskatchewan where graduated with distinction as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. Rob practiced in a large animal clinic in Strathmore for several years before purchasing, with help from his father, the Three Walking Sticks Ranch, a cow/calf operation in the Porcupine Hills west of Claresholm. He loved the ranch and loved working with cattle, particularly when riding his favourite saddle horse, Bugsy. His skill in breeding produced exceptional and widely sought-after beef. Rob participated in brandings, round-ups, weaning and other ranching activities (which might have included a wee dram of whisky or a cribbage board now and then) but his greatest joy was sharing the ranching way of life with his kids. He worked, and played, alongside neighbours and local ranchers developing wonderful, lifelong friendships. His skill as a vet was valued and often called upon by his community. During the financially lean years of Alberta’s BSE outbreak he worked full time as a vet at the Claresholm Veterinary Clinic in addition to tending the ranch. His working days were long indeed. Rob was a respected and active member of the community who taught gymnastics to children and helped lead the Claresholm 4H chapter. He was an instrumental part of the East Trout Grazing Association and Ducks Unlimited for 35 years. The Hills and his community inspired him to write cowboy poetry which he read at many public events. Rob’s hobby of playing the bagpipes grew into esteemed and in-demand performances at local events, especially annual Robbie Burns suppers. He held the position of Pipe Sergeant in the Lethbridge Legion Pipe Band and made lifelong friendships with his band mates. He was very proud of his two sons who developed piping talents that exceeded his own. Rob is survived by his son Leigh (Bronwyn) and their children – Isolde, Cassian, Finnian; his brother Douglas (Sandra) and their three children; his sister Mary Jane (Ty Pfeifer) and their three children; his sister Jessie (Spencer MacCosham) and their four children; and his parents Merritt and Benni Chisholm. He also is survived by his estranged wife Robin, children Gavin, Shannon, Alec (Laura) and grandsons John and Gordon. During the years of Rob’s illness his three siblings and oldest son formed a dedicated support group. His wonderful neighbours and friends provided Rob with unwavering assistance, compassion and sincere kindness–they truly were an inspiration. We would like to thank and express our deep appreciation to the many caregivers at the Claresholm hospital for the high level of care and comfort provided to Rob. A Celebration of Rob’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 26, 2018 at the Claresholm Community Centre (5920- 8 Street West, Claresholm, Alberta) followed by a reminiscing lunch. All friends and acquaintances of Rob are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Claresholm and District Health Foundation P.O. Box 2638, Claresholm, Alberta T0L 0T0 (www.cdhealth.ca) in Rob’s name will be gratefully accepted.

Arrangements entrusted to Willow Creek Funeral Home, Claresholm.

Tel: 403-625-3212. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at http://www.willowcreekfuneralhome.com

Mary Cranley

1922 – 2018

Mary Phyllis Cranley of Calgary, Alberta, beloved wife of the late William Joseph Cranley, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2018 at the age of 96 years. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 12:00 PM and 12:45 PM on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4th STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, AB. Interment to follow at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY 1210 Scenic Drive South Lethbridge, AB. Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Foster Parents Plan of Canada or U.S.C. Canada.

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

Ross Jensen
1930 – 2018
Ross Jensen, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the age of 87 years.
Further information including service details will follow once arrangements have been finalized.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

LEISTER

LORETTA “LORI” JANE LEISTER, of Lethbridge, AB, passed away at the St. Michael’s Heath Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at the age of 61 years.

Lori is survived by her mother Mary Leister of Lethbridge, son Christian (Jessica) Schacher of Calgary and sisters Patricia (Norbert) Boehm of Lethbridge and Betty Leister of Maynooth, Ontario.

She was predeceased by her father Frederick “Fred” Leister.

Lori was born in Lethbridge on January 26, 1957 to Fred and Mary Leister. She was the middle child of three daughters. Lori was a brilliant writer, talented musician, gifted artist and a dedicated and loving mother to her only son, Christian. Apart from her many accomplishments, she will be remembered as an incredibly caring person who would do absolutely anything, and sacrifice everything for those she loved and those in need.

A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, November 26, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Alphonse Narisetty officiating. A Reception will follow the service for family and friends.

Following the reception, Lori will be laid to rest with her parents in Mountain View Cemetery.

In memory of Lori, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, #200, 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

STEVEN PETER MELLEN October 1, 1983 –

November 8, 2018

On November 8th, 2018 the world lost an amazing Father, Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend. Steven Peter Mellen (35) was tragically taken from his family too soon. Steven leaves behind 3 beautiful children that were his world. Tristan (15), Layla (4) and Lola (2). He is survived by his Mother Barb Leonard (Stan) his Father Timothy Mellen, His two sisters Caroline Dalton (Mark) and Christine Mitchell (Ryan) and 4 nieces and nephews Ethan, Jillian, Aria and Mason. Steven always lived life on the edge and his free spirit took him on many journeys and experiences. Steven always had a big heart and would help anyone he could as his generosity touched many. All though he may be gone from our sight, we will always carry him close to our heart. A Celebration will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Christensen Salmon Generation Funeral Home in Lethbridge, Ab. Interment to take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal View Memorial Cemetery and reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to his go-fund-me page http://www.gofundme.com/

in-memory-of-steven-mellen

To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

RICHARDS

1927 – 2018

THOMAS EUGENE “TOM” RICHARDS, of Coaldale, reached the end of a long and productive life on Saturday, November 17, 2018. The 91-year-old passed away following a brief illness at the Chinook Regional Hospital, very near the spot where his longtime wife and inseparable partner, Margaret Richards, had predeceased him three months earlier.

Tom leaves behind his sister Lesley (Murray) Bowman; children Jean (Ken) Mackintosh and Harley (Jackie May) Richards; grandchildren Laura (Mark) Fast, Logan Mackintosh, Alison (Clayton) Varjassy, Tuscany Richards, Sterling Richards and Autumn Richards; and great-grandchildren Maisie Fast and Rowen Varjassy.

In addition to Margaret, with whom he will share a columbarium niche at Mountain View Cemetery, Tom was predeceased by his father Ed in 1985, his mother Helen in 1996 and his brother Bill in 2014.

Tom was born in Lethbridge’s Galt Hospital (now the Galt Museum & Archives) on September 3, 1927. He was the oldest of three children belonging to Ed & Helen Richards, who farmed northeast of Coaldale.

Tom’s childhood memories included riding in a horse-drawn wagon to school, waking on frigid winter mornings to the sound of his father starting a fire in the kitchen, and seeing men desperate for work pass by atop rail cars during the Great Depression. A member of the local Air Cadets, he was preparing to follow his father’s example and enlist for military service when the Second World War ended a few weeks before his 18th birthday.

Tom and his younger brother Bill remained on the family farm near Tempest, and with the help of their parents expanded the operation to include land southeast of Chin.

On November 14, 1955, Tom married Margaret, a Vancouver girl he met while she was visiting a friend in Lethbridge. They later had two children, Jean and Harley, and spent the next 34 years on the farm.

Tom and Margaret moved to Coaldale in 1989, and resided there for almost all of their remaining years. At the time of his death, Tom was living in the Sunny South Lodge – not far from the curling rink where he had spent much of his winter leisure time over the years.

Tom’s family will celebrate his life at a private gathering. They respectfully decline flowers and other tributes, as well as donations or gifts in lieu thereof. Instead, they wish to thank Tom and Margaret’s many friends and acquaintances for enriching the couple’s lives over the years.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

VERWOERD

1921 – 2018

DELLA VERWOERD, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Dick Verwoerd, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the age of 97 years.

A Private Family Graveside Service will be held.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

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