WEDNESDAY, January 30, 2019

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 30, 2019.

BENNY RAY FYFE

It is with great sorrow that the family of Benny (Ben) Ray Fyfe announce his passing on January 22nd, 2019 at the age of 78. With loved ones at his side he lost a courageous battle with cancer.

Ben was born in Lethbridge AB, to Arthur Fyfe and Mary Adamson on July 23rd, 1940. He grew up in Stirling AB, where he developed his steadfast devotion to his faith. He served a 2-year mission in New England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He then found his true calling as an officer with the RCMP and spent the next 25 years serving honorably. His last career of 18 years was as a Facilities Manager for his church in Southern Alberta and the East and West Kootenays which provided many opportunities to travel with his youngest child and grandchildren.

Ben found enjoyment in sports, travelling with family and friends, and spending time with his grandchildren. He also had a sincere love for all animals, despite his severe allergies.

Ben’s natural talent for writing and public speaking, partnered with his deep love and unwavering faith, enabled him to be a strong spiritual mentor. His gentleness and quick wit endeared him to everyone he came in contact with. His generosity and compassion were unmatched. He was at his happiest when helping others and provided guidance and support to nearly everyone he met.

Ben is survived by his loving wife Gail of 52 years and his children: Stacie (Michael) Butler, Creston BC; Scott, Cranbrook BC; Nicole (Clint) Bradshaw, Cranbrook BC; Heather, Cranbrook BC; Ryan (Vicky), Victoria BC and 4 grandchildren; Shaun, Brandon, Nicholas and Jaxon. Ben is also survived by his sister Rena Derricott of Lethbridge AB, and his brothers Verl and Bill of Lethbridge AB. Ben was predeceased by his parents, his brother Mervyn and his grandchild Christopher.

A viewing and visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 7 – 8 pm at McPherson’s Funeral Home, Cranbrook. Funeral Service to be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 12 noon (with a viewing from 10:30 – 11:45 am) at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Cranbrook.

J. Brent Olsen

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Brent on January 26, 2019. Brent was a loving husband and father, an avid outdoorsman, and a wonderful friend to all who knew him. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Floyd and Georgena, 2 older sisters, Marjorie and Myrna, and infant son, Chad. Brent is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his children, Jeff (Vanessa), Brian (Kathalina), Emily and Eric, 7 grandchildren, Tayla, Josh, Claira, Emma, Xyla, Alexander and Zachary, his sisters, Lorraine and Mary, and his brother George (Susanna), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Brent was born in Cardston, Alberta in 1952 and grew up in Levitt, Alberta. In 1974, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in the first Forestry program offered by the University of Alberta. Brent began his 40 year career as a forester with the BC Provincial government in Victoria, and it was there that he met his wife, Karen. After they were married, Brent and Karen moved to Kamloops and lived there happily for 40 years as they raised their family and became part of the community.

Brent loved the outdoors and considered himself fortunate to spend his career enjoying all of God’s beautiful creations. His favourite past time was fishing, which he did year round. He was also an avid bird watcher and nature photographer. Brent loved to share his enthusiasm of the outdoors with youth through his involvement in Scouts Canada for over 30 years. He spent many years taking school classes on nature walks where he affectionately earned the title “Mr. Forestry Man.”

Brent’s service extended from his involvement with the Kamloops Square Dancers, where he served as president for 2 years, to his devotion to his faith through his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was always looking for ways to help others and through his thoughtfulness, he blessed countless lives.

Funeral services will be held for Brent on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 2165 Parkcrest Avenue. All are welcome to attend.

Arrangements entrusted to

Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577 Condolences may be sent to the family from http://www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

Joe Kovach

1935 – 2019

Joe Kovach passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 18, 2019, at the age of 83 years. Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of our beloved uncle, but we know that Joe has lived a full, and happy life. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 6:00PM and 7:00PM on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, AB. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM on Thursday January 31, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, AB., Deacon Ray Wagner, officiating. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

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

KOOY

“Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God” Micah 6:8

Doreen Renae Kooy was born January 31st, 1956, in Lethbridge, Alberta. She passed away, surrounded by much love, on January 26, 2019 in Calgary, Alberta, due to complications from open heart surgery. She was 62.

Doreen leaves to her memory her mother, Alice Kooy, whom she deeply loved and cared for, her siblings, Cheryl (Eugene) Boehr, Peter (Diane) Kooy, Delbert (Lucy) Kooy, Julie (Henry) Klok, as well as 14 nieces and nephews, 18 great nieces and nephews, all of whom Doreen adored and was immensely proud of. She also leaves to grieve her very good friends Margit and Doug Stratton and family (Victoria, B.C.) and Barbara Fraser (Edmonton, AB). She was predeceased by her father, Albert, in 2014.

Doreen grew up on her family farm near Nobleford, AB. She was born with Turner Syndrome but never let this define her or stop her from living a rich and full life. Doreen pursued a variety of career paths, from legal secretary, tour bus guide, to revisiting the halls of school and obtaining her BEd from the U of L. She taught in Rocky Mt. House and Edmonton Public before going on to adult education and career counseling at NAIT, Concordia, and then Co-op Supervisor for the U of L ‘Dhillon School of Business’, Calgary Campus.

Doreen was passionate about education and was dedicated to championing her students in learning and in their career path. She was always interested in other people’s lives.

Doreen gave to the work of Intervarsity, Birthright in Lethbridge and Edmonton, church council at First Baptist Church in Edmonton (to name a few), and, most recently, encouraging young girls with Turner Syndrome in Calgary.

Her faith and spiritual journey were very important to her. She knew that where she was, God was. As well, topics of excavating our inner and outer lives were matters of great interest to her. Books about living with integrity and leading with courage were staples on her bookshelf.

Doreen endured 2 hip surgeries in the past 3 years and came through with her usual pluck, eager to try out new physical challenges. As she exerteded herself she knew something wasn’t well with her heart. On January 15, Doreen went in for an angiogram thinking she would undergoing an angioplasty. She was devastated to learn she required immediate open heart surgery. She carried in her hands on the 15th a prayer she wrote out and lyrics to the song Hands by Jewel. They were read many times to her over the days as she courageously faced the days following surgery until the day she slipped away from us. Her heart just wasn’t strong enough to endure the rigours of the operation with the addition of her Turner Syndrome. Our small but mighty Doreen will be sorely missed. Her courageous spirit, generosity, kindness, love and light will go on to inspire us.

A celebration of life will take place at 1 pm Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, 260 McGill Blvd. W Lethbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doreen’s memory to U of L ‘Dhillon School of Business Annual Fund’ (https://shine.ulethbridge.ca /make-a-gift/) or The Turner Syndrome Society of Canada (info@turner syndrome.ca) Calgary Chapter.

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

KRAWCZYK

WILLIAM STEPHEN KRAWCZYK passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at the age of 67 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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

Karen M. Kunkel

1944 – 2019

Karen Margarite Kunkel, beloved wife of Bob, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, in Lethbridge on January 24, 2019 at the age of 74 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 1:30 pm at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (2406 11 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB).

In lieu of flowers, any tributes in Karen’s memory can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association (3105 – 16 Ave N, Lethbridge, AB T1H 5E8) OR S.T.A.R.S. (1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, AB T2E 8M7).

Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633.

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

McCLENNAN

MRS. MARY McCLENNAN, beloved wife of the late Fred McClennan, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Monday, January 28, 2019 at the age of 88 years. Mary is the loving mother of Jerome (Jane) and grandmother to Loren (Nikki) – Ryder and Sahara, and to Lynn (Nick) Szczepaniak – Layla and Prim. She is also survived by a sister, Helen Kutcher. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1510 Stafford Drive North, Lethbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to the Worldwide Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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

MUIR

RUTH QUINTON MUIR was born on August 2, 1927 in Cardston, Alberta. She passed away on January 25, 2019 at the age of 91 from heart and respiratory complications, surrounded by her loving family. Her life was well-lived and one we wish to honor and pay tribute to.

Ruth grew up in Cardston, as the fifth of the seven children of James Dunford and Attena Bernice Woolf Quinton. As she grew, she enjoyed camping at Belly River Flats with her family, swimming in the creek at “Quinton Hole”, ice skating and playing games such as ‘run-sheep-run’, ‘kick the can’ and softball. She also developed a great love for dancing.

Ruth was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 23. She served in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. After returning home, she worked for banks in Edmonton AB, Anaheim CA and Mesa AZ before ending up in Hollywood CA where she met a newly-baptized church member, and former Marine, Don Muir.

They were married in the Cardston, Alberta Temple on December 21, 1961. Lisa, their first daughter, was born April 4, 1963. Jeffrey was born September 19, 1965. Julie was born on Ruth’s 40th birthday, August 2, 1967. A few years later, Don’s kidneys started shutting down, so Ruth learned how to run a dialysis machine and expertly handled his dialysis treatments in their basement for three years. When a kidney became available in 1972 they went to SLC for the transplant. Sadly it did not work, and he died May 11, 1973.

In the following years, Ruth focused on taking trips and helping her kids have the kinds of fun they had missed while Don was ill. They enjoyed time in Disneyland, Penticton B.C., and Fairmont Hot Springs. In 1978, Ruth and her kids moved to Cardston to be closer to the Quinton cousins. Some of her interests at this period included sewing and playing a sometimes-feisty game of Rook with friends and family. Ruth was an active and involved mother and befriended her children’s friends as well. She had an independent spirit and was fiercely loyal to the friends developed throughout her life.

After her adult children were all settled in Utah, Ruth became a ‘snow bird’, living in Cardston for the summers and Utah for the winters. Eventually, she made her home in St. George fulltime and became an avid Jazz Basketball fan . Ruth served as an ordinance worker for the Cardston and St. George temples, was a service missionary, and worked at the family history center. Anyone guessing her age at this period of her life would likely be under by fifteen years because of her active mind, energetic personality, and youthful looks. She befriended people, developed a generous interest in others and in serving. Known for her ‘bluntness’, Grandma Ruth would call things the way she saw them and inspired those she met to be better people.

She is preceded in death by her husband Don; her siblings Thyra, Dean, Reid, Orilla; her daughter, Lisa; and her grandson, Quinton. Mourning her absence will be her children: Jeffrey and Lori Muir, and Julie and Troy Baldwin. Also her grandchildren: Diana Baldwin; DJ (Taylor) Mein; Ellen (Logan) Vincent; Annie Mein (Richard Murie); Madeline (Sam) Curtis; Sam Baldwin; Kira Muir; Jacey Muir; and great-grandson Julian Murie.

Friends may meet the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Hill Chapel, 950 Main Street in Cardston on Saturday, February 2nd from 11:00-12:00 p.m. Interment to follow in the Cardston Cemetery.

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

SHEPPARD

JASON WILLIAM MERLE SHEPPARD, beloved husband of Rhonda Sheppard, passed away surrounded by his loving family and friends at St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the age of 44 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

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

TSUJI, Kim

March 4, 1937 – Surrey, British Columbia

January 24, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

Kim Tsuji of Calgary passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at the age of 81 years. Kim taught for twenty-nine years in Raymond, AB. She started her career as a teacher at the Raymond Elementary School before becoming Principal. Besides teaching, she had a passion for painting, pottery, and gardening. However, her greatest love was spending time with her family. Kim will be remembered for being a compassionate caregiver, amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, mentor and friend. Kim is survived by her children, Jeff (Jackie) Tsuji, of Okotoks, Kathy (Chris) Millich of St. Helena, CA, Tammy (James) Dalton of Calgary and her grandchild Mackenzie Dalton of Calgary. In addition, she leaves siblings Michie (Harumi) Takaguchi, Hideo (Marian) Fukushima, Jean (Doug) Webster, Ron Fukushima, and John (Lois) Fukushima. Also, left to mourn include sisters-in-law Judy Fukushima, Sadie Higo, Kin Matsuno, Midori (Ken) Tanaka, and brothers-in-law Yukio Tsuji, Ray (Lena) Tsuji as well as many nieces and nephews. Kim was predeceased by her husband Mitsuo Tsuji, her brother Hiroshi Fukushima, two brothers-in-law, Hisashi Matsuno and Ted Higo, parents Torazo and Hisako Fukushima and parents-in-law Asakichi and Kimi Tsuji. A private family gathering will be held in Calgary. Condolences may be forwarded through http://www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers and koden please donate to your favorite charity. The family would like to thank the health care teams at Revera McKenzie Towne Retirement Residence, McKenzie Towne Long Term Care Residence, and AgeCare Walden Heights, and Dr. Christine Luelo for the wonderful care they showed Kim over the years. In living memory of Kim Tsuji, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

WILSON

MRS. RUTH KATHLEEN WILSON, beloved wife of the late Ian Wilson, passed away in Lethbridge on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the age of 93 years. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the North Lethbridge Stake Centre, 560 Highlands Blvd West, Lethbridge. Friends may meet with the family prior to the service at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow in the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to the St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit, 1400 – 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge T1J 4V5.

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

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