FRIDAY, December 21, 2108

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on December 21, 2018.

AKSNOWICZ

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of ALFONS AKSNOWICZ at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at the age of 98 years.

Alfons will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Czesia and their children: Gina (Larry) Wojtowicz and Alice (Dan) Renning; grandchildren Jen Buit (Gordon Bello); Justin (Jocelyn) Buit and Kevin (April) Renning; as well as great-grandchildren Tristan, Jaelynn, Vincent, Violet and Xavier.

He was predeceased by his son Robert, son-in-law Jack, parents Malvina and Adam, four brothers Piotr, Lucian, Jozef, and Janek, his in-laws, Amelia and Anthony Kuziomko and his best friend since World War II, Jan (Helena) Pietkiewicz.

Alfons was born in Zajezezieze, Poland on Jan 21, 1920 and was the third oldest of five boys. As a young man, he enjoyed learning about the history of Poland and helping his father on the farm. While his brothers all had a passion to play musical instruments, Alfon’s passion was for the outdoors, specifically hunting with his dog.

When World War II broke out, Alfon’s family was exiled to Siberia by the Russian army. While in Siberia, a Polish army was organized, The Polish II Corps, which he joined and there met, his best friend, Jan Pietkiewicz. Alfons was trained as a Radio operator and driver in a Sherman Tank. He travelled with the Polish Army through Russia, Iran, Iraq, Palestine and to Egypt where they went under the command of the British 8th Army. Alfons then travelled by ship to Italy where they fought with distinction in the battle of Monte Casino to help defeat the Germans. The Polish II Corps had a consistently high fighting reputation and was well regarded by the American and Commonwealth troops with whom they fought alongside.

After the war, Alfons went to England and in 1947 immigrated to Canada. He first worked sugar beets in the Picture Butte area, then for a short period of time on a farm near Pincher Creek. Alfons also worked at the Lethbridge #8 Mine, Shaughnessy mine and the Lethbridge Research Station. In 1949, he met the love of his life, Czesia Kuziomko and they married on May 13, 1950. They raised three children and celebrated 68 blessed years together.

Alfons and Jan started their farming careers by renting farmland together. They eventually were able to pool their monies and purchase a farm of their own. After 13 years of farming together, they were each able to purchase their own farms and continued to help each other, while remaining best of friends throughout their lives. Alfons farmed in the Picture Butte area until 1997 when he and Czesia retired and moved to Lethbridge. After retirement, they made frequent road trips “North” to visit and inspect the family farm throughout the years.

Alfons loved being with his family. He especially cherished time with his great grandchildren; Tristan, whom he called “My Little Helper” and had many living room cane sword fights and backyard hunting adventures with; and Jaelynn, who he called his “Little Sweetie-Pie”. Anyone who met Alfons immediately recognized his light-hearted disposition, sense of humor, generous hospitality, as well as enjoyed stories of his war time experiences. Alfons looked forward to Sunday dinners with his family, hunting, fishing, camping for over 25 years in Radium Hot Springs and his love for animals; especially dogs.

Alfons was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion and the Polish Combatants Association. He will be missed by numerous family and friends across Canada, Poland and the United States. Alfons was a man of great faith and our family comforted knowing he is now with his savior.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects during a Visitation at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 6:00 P.M., with a Prayer Service to follow at 7:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.

Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alfons will be gratefully accepted at the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960-19th Street South, Lethbridge AB T1J 1W5

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

BERG

MAGDALENA BERG, beloved wife of the late John Berg, passed away on December 19, 2018 at the age of 90 years. The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Coaldale Mennonite Brethren Church, 2114 18 Street, Coaldale, AB with Pastor Gary Burke officiating.

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

BRECKA

JOHANNA GERDINA BRECKA, (née Hillebrand), beloved wife of Stan Brecka, of Picture Butte, AB, passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side, on Friday, December 14, 2018 at the age of 72 years, following a courageous battle with breast cancer.

A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, 440 Crescent Avenue, Picture Butte, AB, on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Peter Coyne officiating, with a reception to follow at the Picture Butte Community Centre, 607 Highway Avenue North, Picture Butte.

A Private Family Interment will be held prior to the Funeral Service.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

KING-HUNTER

BRUCE VICTOR KING-HUNTER, beloved husband of Edna King-Hunter, of Lethbridge, passed away at home, on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the age of 84 years.

Bruce was born and raised in Sunnynook, Alberta. As a boy, his love of horses led him to become a racehorse owner who ran thoroughbreds in Edmonton, Calgary and Phoenix. Bruce also made many friends in the oil patch, working as a Field Supervisor in Vauxhall, Gull Lake and Drayton Valley. Throughout his life, Bruce was an avid fly fisherman and hunter as well as a renowned storyteller.

He will be lovingly remembered by Edna, his wife of 65 years as well as his four children: Dale King-Hunter (Corinne Willis), Dawn King-Hunter (John Savill) Kelly (Darcy) Rylander and Coral King-Hunter and eight grandchildren.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral service, but please have a rye and ginger in his honour. He knew there was no silver bullet but he faced his adversities with acceptance, grace and a sense of humour.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

LANGILLE

It is with great sadness that I, Keith Langille announce the passing of my wife, JOAN LANGILLE (née Cannady), on Wednesday December 19, 2018 at the age of 68 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

NAUMCZYK

ALEXANDER NAUMCZYK, the beloved husband of Mary Naumczyk, of Lethbridge, passed away in Lethbridge on Tuesday, December 18th, 2018, at the age of 68 years.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 – Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, on Saturday, December 22nd, at 11:00 A.M., with Deacon Frank Peta officiating.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MRS. MARY OTANI

Mrs. Mary Otani, of Grande Prairie, AB passed away at home on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at the age of 74 years. Mary was born at the family homestead near Star City, SK, on January 4, 1944. She was the second of five children (Jean Anne, Mary, John, Richard and Charlotte) born to Rosalind (nee Smylie) McIntyre and John McIntyre. Mary attended school in Star City, SK and went on to complete her teaching certificate in Saskatoon, SK. She became one of the youngest staff members teaching at Hamilton Junior High School in Lethbridge, AB by the fall of 1964. She met Takeshi (Tak) Otani who was also hired to teach at the same school. They were married in Lethbridge, AB in 1967 then moved to Warner, AB where she lived until 2005 when she moved to Lethbridge, AB. In 2009, Mary moved to Grande Prairie AB. She is survived by daughter Jennifer (Greg) Otani Semach of Grande Prairie, AB and son Robert (Christine) Otani of Saskatoon, SK; six grandchildren: Sasha Semach, Kira Semach, Avery Otani, Sage Otani, Amara Otani, and Felix Otani; two sisters Jean Anne Sekella and family, and Charlotte Hullmann and family; and two brothers John McIntyre and family, and Richard McIntyre and family. She was predeceased by her parents John and Rosalind McIntyre and her loving husband Takeshi (Tak) Otani. Mary was an educator and life-long learner. She will be greatly missed by her daughter and son and all her six grandchildren for her unending love and support of their many aspirations and endeavours. She will be greatly missed by friends who knew her to be a clever, observant, insightful, and kind person who was generous with her time and her experience. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at 3:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie, AB (10005 107 Ave.). A viewing will be held prior at 2:00pm. Interment will follow in 2019 at Lethbridge, AB, with the date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5) or Heart and Stroke of Alberta (Unit 109, 10126 120 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8H9).

Condolences may be sent by visiting http://www.oliversfuneralhome.com

PRAIRIE CHICKEN

JOEY PRAIRIE CHICKEN passed away in Lethbridge on December 18th, 2018 at the age of 39 years.

A Wake Service will be held at the White Calf Hall, Stand Off on Friday, December 21st from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be at the White Calf Hall on Saturday, December 22nd at 11:00 a.m.

Condolences may be sent to: http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

Christopher Rodgers

1941 – 2018

Mr. Christopher Frederick Rodgers of Enchant, beloved husband of Mrs. Martha Rodgers, passed away at the Taber Hospital, on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the age of 77 years. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM, on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 203 4th Street, Champion, AB, with Bishop Mark Ellis officiating. Interment in Enchant Cemetery at 2:00PM.

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

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