THURSDAY, January 24, 2019

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 24, 2019.

ALLISON

MR. GARRY LAWRENCE ALLISON, beloved husband of Mary Allison of Coalhurst, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 20, 2019 in Lethbridge at the age of 77 years. He is also the loving father of Kathy Winfield of Tucson Arizona, Shannon (Larry) Gordon of Edmonton AB, Jason (Sherida) Allison of Edmonton AB, Jackie (Myrle) Rodgers of Lethbridge AB, T-Jay Allison of Coalhurst AB, Cheyenne Allison of Lethbridge AB and Melissa Allison of Coalhurst AB. Garry also has 20 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father Andrew Allison, mother Lily Allison and step mother Mona Allison. Garry was born in Lethbridge on December 10, 1941. He served as Sports Editor of the Lethbridge Herald as well as District Editor, City Editor and at the end of his career in 2002, he was the Outdoors Editor. Garry moved into the Lethbridge Herald’s sports department fulltime in 1974, after spending 1957 to 1974 as a printer with the paper. An avid rodeo fan, he covered the sport throughout Southern Alberta from the mid 1960’s until his retirement in 2002. Garry was able to attend the first ten Canadian Finals Rodeos as well as numerous Calgary Stampedes and North American Amateur Championship rodeos in Denver, Colorado and El Paso, Texas. He also covered uncountable rodeos and horse races on the Kainai and Piikani reserves. Garry earned the Thompson Newspaper National and Regional awards for achievement, national awards and local awards for his extensive coverage of rodeo, high school sports and the outdoors. In 1979, he won the Max Bell Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of amateur sports in Alberta, and as a result he is enshrined in the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame. He has received the Canadian Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associations Jimmy Brown award for rodeo coverage in Canada, on the national and local level. He has been honoured by the Alberta and Lethbridge Fish and Game Associations, as well as Trout Unlimited Canada’s Lethbridge Chapter. In non-sports fields the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Korean War Veteran’s Association, the Great Canadian Plains Railway Society and the town of Coalhurst have all honoured him. Garry was given a special Blackfoot name, Piitaominni, (Eagle Wing), by the Piikani Nation through the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center in 1996. Garry was a member of the Head-dress Society of the Kainai Nation and in 2000 was honoured by the National Aboriginal Day at Fort Whoop Up. In 2002 he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Garry also spent ten years coaching high school girl’s basketball, nine at Coalhurst and one at Winston Churchill, coaching senior girls for eight of those years. He was also an organizer, along with the late Bill Binning, of the Lethbridge LDS Father and Son Banquet which ran from the late 1970s into the 1980s. Garry was a former member of the 702 Wing, vice-president of the Lethbridge Historical Society and was a 31-year member of the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Since retiring in 2002, Garry continued writing for the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. He also wrote several history books for the Lethbridge Historical Society and the Lethbridge Exhibition. Garry and his wife Mary have been married for 55 years. They also were foster parents for 32 years, caring for 78 children. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 560 Highlands Blvd W, Lethbridge. Friends may meet with the family prior to the service from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge.

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

BEHRENS

1934 – 2019

JOYCE LOUANN BEHRENS, beloved wife of the late Don Behrens, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 at the age of 84 years.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church (389 – 2nd Ave. W.) in Cardston, AB. We wish to thank the doctors, nursing staff and all who cared for Joyce throughout her journey.

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

BIG THROAT

ELIZABETH NELLIE BIG THROAT passed away in Lethbridge on January 22, 2019 at the age of 89 years.

A Wake Service will be at the White Calf Hall,Standoff on Tuesday, January 29th from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Wednesday, January 30th at 11:00 am. Interment in St. Catherine’s Cemetery.

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

BIRD

REX BIRD, husband of Mary, passed away in Cardston on January 17th, 2019 at the age of 68 years.

The Wake Service will be held at the Moses Lake Gymnasium on Friday, January 25th from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. continuing all night at the Rex Bird residence. The Funeral Service will be held at the Moses Lake Gymnasium on Saturday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Blood Band cemetery.

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

CRAIG

After a week-long stay in hospital, JAMES ARTHUR “JIM” CRAIG lost his battle with cancer, flu and pneumonia on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at the age of 86 years.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Lorelli, his sons, Scott and Mike, his grandchildren, Madison and Devun, his nephew, Lawrie and his niece, Tami of the United States, as well as numerous cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Roy & Ruth Craig and his brother, Gordon.

James Arthur Craig was born on March 17, 1932 and lived on the family farm northwest of Barons. He attended the Barons School. On October 29, 1955, he married Lorelli and they farmed until 1963 before moving to Lethbridge. His big break came in 1967 when the University of Lethbridge accepted its first “mature” students. By 1970 the job market for teachers had dried up, causing him to abandon his dream; however, in the last week of August that year, he landed a job at Fleetwood-Bawden teaching the sixth grade, where he remained until his retirement in 1993. He had finished his degree in 1972, and he and Lorelli graduated together.

Retirement meant Jim could do all the things he enjoyed. He was a wonderful gardener and the backyard always looked like a pristine park. He was an avid reader of newspapers, fictions and biographies. He would start every day with a crossword puzzle and would end with a long walk or bike ride through Indian Battle Park – weather permitting. He played the piano and was known for his skills as a handyman. His tech support skills, on the other hand, were notorious for bringing out his “colourful” vocabulary. He cooked meals, baked bread and concocted delightful desserts.

The Craigs enjoyed having friends over, the symphony and University of Lethbridge productions. They also loved traveling, with New York and Italy topping the list of Jim’s favourite places.

We will miss Jim’s wit, his laid-back demeanor and his great ability to be a true friend. He embraced life and lived every day to the fullest.

By request, there will be no formal funeral service. Jim will be cremated and there will be a get-together at a later date.

Flowers are respectfully declined. If desired, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice.

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

GOOD STRIKER

It is with great sadness we announce the unfortunate passing of our beloved matriarch, MRS. CELINA GOOD STRIKER “SOOAATSAAKI”, at the Peter Lougheed Hospital on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

Celina was born on the Blood Reserve, the fourth eldest of Ben & Annie Brewer, and spent the majority of her childhood in the St. Mary’s Residential School. It was with this upbringing between the Grey Nuns and her hardworking Dad that she learned how to manage her income. This began a lifetime of hard work in various fields of employment; a trait that she would strongly instill in her children as well. This strength would be apparent in her success with various business ventures: beauty consultant of Vanda cosmetics, night school driver, original owner and lifetime member of the Blood Bus Co-op, manager/cook of Cross Bell Youth Camp and Dude Ranch, owner of Eagle Spirit Embroidery (previously known as Imaginable Expressions), Amway Consultant, Goodstriker Trucking, Rufus Jr. Farming, Melalueca Consultant and bookkeeper in Dad’s horse racing hobby.

Throughout her lifetime she travelled the world at the side of her beloved husband to places such as Germany, France, Italy to visit her son Leon, and experienced memorable opportunities such as riding the gondolas in Venice and climbing the temple in Mexico for a Catholic Pilgrimage with friends. In her last years she enjoyed travelling with her daughter Kathy and granddaughters Kassia and Sirenity to conferences in Jasper, AB, Walla Walla, WA and this past August to Winnipeg, MB.

If traits could describe her it would be strength, dignity, and devotion, as well as her fearless spirit. Mom never faltered in her faith and devotion to her savior Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her daily prayers and intentions to pray for all those in need was her way of life. She would finish her last Novena in dedication to her many grandchildren whom she cherished, so that they may live a prayerful, loving life. It was in life that the presence of being surrounded by her many grandchildren was where she found the most peace, and on her final departure, they would once again lovingly gather to offer her strength and send her off on her last voyage. Her final act of perpetual grace was to embrace and include her beloved brother Pat Brewer to share the journey to their Heavenly home.

Sooaatsaaki will be forever missed by her children: Wilton, Rufus Jr. (Mildred), Kathy, Rochelle (Corey) Pace; Leon (Yvette) Georgie (Toni), Noel, Louise and Tina, Donna W., Stanley (Joanne) Scout; the Skeads: Elenor, Cindy (Harold) Nick, Gary and Tanis; Michelle Louis, Tanya Ludwig, Shelly Lavalee (Tony), Ray and Daria Slick, Sharon Stanza, Kristen First Rider, Verna Warrior, Giulio, Christina, Max Gibb and Rose Rossi; 37 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Nora and Debbie, and her brothers, Raymond and Phillip.

Welcoming her on her spiritual journey home are her beloved parents, Ben & Annie, her husband, Rufus, her children, Joyce, Christine, Lorraine, Frances and Charles, and her grandchildren, Cassandra, Angel, Marin, Blaire, Shawn and Carlyle.

A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 5:00 P.M.

A Wake Service will be held at SENATOR GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, AB on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve, AB on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. celebrating.

She will be laid to rest in the Blood Band Cemetery.

Luke 6: 27B-28 – “Love your enemies, do good to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

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

HART

Hart, Oliver Frederick, formerly of Lomond, peacefully passed away at the Vulcan Extendicare on January 18, 2019 at the age of 91 years.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 1:30 pm at Lomond Multipurpose Facility (Lomond School), Lomond, AB, Rev. Gordon

Cranch officiating. Interment Lomond Cemetery.

Any tributes in Oliver’s memory can be made to the Lomond Lions Club, Box 153, Lomond, AB T0L 1G0.

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home.

Telephone 1-403-485-2633.

E-mail condolences through http://www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca

Sharon Hayward-McCallum

1947 – 2019

Mrs. Sharon Hayward-McCallum of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Mr. John McCallum, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at the age of 71 years. A Celebration of Sharon’s Life will be held at 4:00pm on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. With Reverend Eva Stanley officiating. Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

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

Hepburn, Melville Bruce

1947 – 2019

It is with profound sadness that the family of Bruce Hepburn announce his passing in Okotoks on January 18, 2019 at the age of 71. Bruce will be forever remembered and missed by his best friend and wife of 51 years, Vicki and his much-loved children Brian and Jill (Pacer). He will also be fondly remembered by his precious granddaughter, Brooke and his three “big sisters” Kathleen, Jane (Arnie) and Susan (Ron) and by his numerous nieces and nephews as well as many dear friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents Melville Gladstone Hepburn and Margaret Lunney Hepburn. Bruce was born and raised in Saskatoon. It was there that he started his career in the livestock industry and retired in the same industry in 2015 at Cargill Foods High River. He was privileged to serve for many years with good friends on the Auctioneer Committee for the Calgary Stampede. Bruce enjoyed golfing, fly fishing and just hanging with his family and buddies. Funeral arrangements are being attended to by Snodgrass Funeral Home in Okotoks (403 938 3111). A celebration of life will be held at The Foothills Centennial Centre, 4-204 Community Way, Okotoks Alberta in May (further details will become available on the Snodgrass Funeral Homes website). To express condolences please visit http://www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Cancer Unit, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary AB T3B 6A8, http://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca

KOPPERT

ARIE “HARRY” KOPPERT, beloved husband of Alice Koppert, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, January 21, 2019 at the age of 63 years.

He is the loving father of Nathan (Hannah), Sonja (Steven), Anthony (Mary), Daniel (Lindsey), Stefan (Alisha) and Susanna (Caleb). He is survived by his mother, Dini Koppert, and seven younger siblings: three brothers and four sisters and their spouses.

He was predeceased by his father, Arie Koppert and a grandson, Jared Koppert.

Harry was born in Woodstock, ON and grew up in a Bible-centered Christian home. In his late teens he experienced God’s transforming work in his life, leading him to trust and submit his life to Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness for his sins. Harry’s mechanical aptitude led him to begin a career in agricultural mechanics, but after some years, through a diagnosis of MS, God directed him to train as a school teacher. In 1979 he married the love of his life, Alice, and was blessed with six children whom he raised and nurtured in God’s word and prayer. He enjoyed his teaching vocation, first at Rehoboth Christian School (Copetown, ON) and later at Providence Christian School (Monarch, AB), instilling in his students the principles of God’s word in all aspects of education. In 2004 the MS symptoms returned after a long remission, resulting in blindness and paralysis, but he continued to trust God’s purpose for his life until the end, and gave testimony of this in his songs and speaking about Jesus to his caregivers.

Harry will be laid to rest at a Graveside Service in the FORT MACLEOD UNION CEMETERY on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.

Afterward, a Funeral Service will be held at BETHEL FREE REFORMED CHURCH, 6 Eastman Road, Monarch, AB on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:00 P.M.

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

Joe Kovach

1935 – 2019

Mr. Joe Kovach of Turin, passed away on Friday, January 18, 2019 at the age of 83 years. Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

Sakae “Sak” Saruwatari

1928 – 2019

Mr. Sakae “Sak” Saruwatari of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. May Saruwatari passed away at St. Therese Villa on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at the age of 91 years. Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

STOUT

SADIE STOUT (née Bell) passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at the age of 41 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

WILSON

COLLEEN HAZEL WILSON, beloved wife of Don, mother to Darrell, Ed (Lynn), Kevin and Craig (deceased), passed away in Lethbridge on January 15, 2019 at the age of 87 years.

A Memorial Service will be held in her memory on Friday, February 1st, 2019, at 11:30am, at the LETHBRIDGE STAKE CENTRE of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2410 28th St. S.).

To send a condolence please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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