FRIDAY, July 19, 2019

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 19, 2019.

Erika Blank

1937 – 2019

Mrs. Erika Blank of Coaldale, beloved wife of Mr. Joachim “Jo” Blank, passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 16, 2019, at the age of 82 years.

Born to Aron and Anna Neufeld in Hierschau, Russia on March 1, 1937, Erika came to Canada with her mother and siblings in 1949. They settled in Coaldale, AB where Erika met Jo. They married on October 8, 1966.

Erika had love of many things: her family, flowers, baking, playing games and gardening. She shared this love with many family and friends through the years. Her church and faith were also an important part of her life which she shared in her quiet way with her family and friends.

Erika had a vibrant laugh and a sparkly smile which we will miss so dearly.

Besides Joachim, her husband of nearly 53 years, Erika is survived by her children Karl & Ramona in Sherwood Park, AB, Walter & Marcy in Atlanta, GA, Anne & Scott in Edmonton AB, Martin & Jean in Edmonton, AB, Irene & Geoff in Winnipeg, MB; her grandchildren Ayrton, Sabrina, Kurt, Jenna, August, Elizabeth, and Louis.

Erika is also survived by her sister Margaret Klassen, brother and sister-in-law Peter and Barb Neufeld, sister-in-law Loni Neufeld and brother-in-law Henry Dyck; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families

Erika was predeceased by her parents Aron Neufeld and Anna Neufeld; brothers Aaron Neufeld, Kornelius Neufeld, George Neufeld, Johann Neufeld and John Neufeld; sisters Hilda Willms, Erna Neufeld, Katharina (Kathy) Dyck, Rosa Neufeld and Frieda Dyck.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 1:00pm and 2:00pm on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH, 2316, 17 Street, Coaldale, Alberta.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm, on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at the COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH, 2316, 17 Street, Coaldale, Alberta with Pastor Lillian Thompson and Pastor Gary Giesbrecht, officiating.

Interment to follow in the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MCC Alberta 210-2946 32nd Street NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6J7 phone (403)275-6935.

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com

to send a condolence.

BROUWER

LUKAS “LUKE” BROUWER, the beloved husband for 68 years of Jeanette Brouwer (née Aasman), passed away on July 17 at the age of 89 years. He is a father to Harry (Rita) Brouwer, Helen (Mike) Wevers, Art (Maggie) Brouwer, Patricia Brouwer, and Marjorie Brouwer and grandfather to 33 grand and great-grandchildren. Luke was predeceased by two infant sons and a number of other family members.

He is survived by his siblings: Arie Brouwer in the Netherlands, and in Canada by Jean (John) VandenBrink, John (Jean) Brouwer, Bill (Norah) Brouwer, and Ina Aasman.

Luke emigrated to Canada when he was 19. He was joined a year later by Jeanette, and they were married in Taber in 1951. Before settling on a farm in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Luke worked in the bush, lumber, and coal mining camps. The Brouwers left Rocky in 1965 to enable their children to attend a Christian school in Lethbridge. They purchased and developed a hog farm outside of the city. In the early 1980s, Luke and Jeanette retired to Lethbridge, where he has lived until his passing.

Luke, with his wife Jeanette, remained active in many volunteer efforts, including Rehoboth and Disaster Response Services. The family loved to go camping, biking, and hiking, especially up Table Mountain. Luke could always be counted on to be the lead prankster at family events. He loved collecting at garage sales and spending hours sifting through his stamp collection.

Special thanks to the staff of Fraser House at the St. Michael’s Health Centre, who have provided exceptional care to Luke at his final residence in Lethbridge for over two years.

A Celebration of Lukas Brouwer’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 260 McGill Blvd. West, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Pastor Jim Zondervan officiating.

A Private Family graveside service will be held in the Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Society or Rehoboth Christian Ministries.

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

GFRERER

PETER GFRERER, beloved husband of Sophia (Savka) Gfrerer, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, July 15th, 2019 at the age of 83 years.

Peter was born on Feb. 8, 1936 in Karavukovo Serbia where he first met the love of his life, Sophia at the age of 17. Peter and Sophia became geographically separated when Peter moved with his family to Germany in 1955, and then immigrated to Canada in 1957 where his parents settled in Coaldale Alberta. Peter and Sophia maintained a long distance relationship via love letters for 7 years until Sophia could join him in Canada on February 1962, and they married one month later. Peter was a hard worker, and growing up on a farm and living through war made Peter strong, tough and very resourceful. He could build or fix just about anything. Peter was a dedicated family man who always left the door open for extended family and many friends who would come to enjoy his hospitality and stories, Sophia’s cooking and of course shots of Peter’s famous rakija (firewater). Peter farmed land, worked for CP Rail and Canada Packers. While working for the railway, the family lived in several communities throughout Southern Alberta, and then settled in Lethbridge from 1976 to present. Peter and Sophia enjoyed dancing, camping, hosting dinners and raising their 4 children. Peter was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather, we will sincerely miss him.

Peter is survived by his loving wife, Sophia Gfrerer; his daughters, Maria (Mike) Gfrerer of Calgary, and Charlotte (Brian) Buckler; and granddaughters, Nicole and Alicia Buckler of Calgary.

Peter was predeceased by his daughter, Victoria and son, Marko.

The Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church (2405, 12 Ave S, Lethbridge) with Fr. Albert Sayson officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, and then reception and tributes will take place at the church hall.

Donations in memory of Peter will be gratefully accepted by the Southern Alberta Myeloma Patient Society (www.southernalbertamyeloma.ca). Condolences may be registered at http://www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements.

(403) 562-8555

O’SHEA, LOUISE MARLENE (THIBERT)

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Mom was born in Edmonton, Alberta on December 20, 1936, to Norman and Ella Thibert and was welcomed into Heaven in the early morning of July 17, 2019. Mom left us years ago due to the effects of dementia but we continued to feel her love through hours of hugs, cuddles and holding her hand.

Her cherished husband of 63 years, Neal, will dance alone until they meet again. Mom’s love has touched our lives as well as our families. Those left to cherish unforgettable memories beyond our goodbyes are her three children. Her son Michael (Marie), daughters Maureen (Alastair) Furtado and Kellie (David) Wirzba. Grandchildren Kealey Scott and Meagan (Craig) Deck, Kevin (Ashley) Reimer, Mandy (Sheldon) Reimer, Kat (Sarah) Furtado, and Ryan Furtado, Bryce, Brayden (Eden) and Avril Wirzba as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

She also leaves memories with her brother Butch (Betty) Thibert and her sister Jan Freson.

Mom had a lifelong love of dancing with Dad and love for the Lord…they spent many years camping and traveling, Hawaii being their favorite place to watch the sunsets. She and Dad cherished their “small group” and time at Victory Church. Mom also enjoyed painting with the Lethbridge Sketch Club, taking the car for a “walk” to meet her two best friends Doris Blenkinsop and Marie Sauter for coffee, doing crossword puzzles and feeding the birds.

There will be no memorial held at this time, so may you reminisce and embrace the times you had with mom. Mom always welcomed anyone into our home for a meal. Please consider the same in her memory.

We would like to thank the HCA’s at Blue Sky Lodge, St. Therese and St. Michael’s for their love and care for mom. Thank you also to Dr. Collins for his many years of care and to Ashton Campbell for her loving companionship for mom.

When life is blessed and well-lived, those memories become a Treasure. Our treasures are many and will carry us until we meet again….we will miss you mom.

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

PAULINE (Apolonia) BRAAK

née Nieuwenhuis

June 12, 1930 – July 8, 2019

“Therefore, since we have been

justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

The Lord took home to be with himself Pauline Braak who peacefully passed away at the age of 89 in the Smithers Bulkley Lodge.

Pauline was christened Apolonia Nieuwenhuis in Freisland, The Netherlands, but everyone called her Plona. She immigrated to Lethbridge with her parents and 6 siblings after the Second World War but this did not deter Hendrik Braak; he left his family with the hope of renewing their relationship. In May of 1953 they were married in the Lethbridge Christian Reformed Church and then began married life in the 2 room house that Hendrik had built.

They were blessed with 6 children; Corry (& Cindy) Braak who live in Orlando Florida, Betty (& Mark) Bandstra in Smithers BC, Sid (& Debra) Braak in Calgary AB, Pete (& Debbie) Braak in Lethbridge AB, Hermina (& Gerald) Vanderkwaak in Smithers BC, and John (& Marlene) Braak in Lethbridge AB.

After the last child was born, Hendrik acquired a building lot, moved the house over onto a concrete block basement and finally installed hot & cold running water plus one bathroom.

Besides her family, Pauline’s greatest joy was reading, sharing her faith, and knitting for family and homeless shelters.

The family grew to include 15 grandchildren; Carly, Christi, Danielle, and Cassidy Braak. Tamara, Theo, and Darcy Bandstra. Kyle and David Braak. Natasha, Neil and Christina Vanderkwaak. Shaun (deceased), Jennifer and Kevin Braak. Pauline could only be convinced to travel if it included visits to see the kids and grand-kids. Fortunately for Hendrik that included places like Orlando FL, Ottawa ON, and Fort Nelson BC.

While Pauline had already lost her older sister, Shirley Dykman ✞, her dad, Siebren Nieuwenhuis ✞, and her mom Botje ✞ (Postma), the loss of her beloved husband of 46 years, Hendrik ✞, in 1999 was a huge shock. She continued to live in her Lethbridge home surrounded by siblings Stan ✞ (& Rita ✞), John ✞ (& Ann ✞), Tina (& John ✞ Procee), Pete (& Marj), and Sid (& Martha). Her brother-in-law, Herman ✞ (& Margriet ✞) Dykman, who lived in BC, visited regularly. Her husband’s siblings also stayed connected. Her own family expanded with spouses for the grandkids and 25 great-grand-kids.

In 2012, due to her cognitive deterioration, she was moved to Smithers where her two daughters, Betty and Hermina, live with their families. After three years of loving care in Hermina’s home, Pauline was moved to the Bulkley Lodge where the staff also provided excellent care. The contentment that came from her trust in her Saviour, Jesus Christ, never wavered and she peacefully left this earthly body on Monday July 8th to go to the place prepared for her in Heaven. It is a day she has been anticipating with great joy. Her ashes will be interred next to her late husband in Lethbridge AB, and a service in the Maranatha Christian Reformed church will take place on Monday August 12 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to a cause dear to her heart, the Immanuel Christian School in North Lethbridge AB.

PIERSON

IVY DORIS PIERSON (née Pink), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister, passed away at the Cedar Creek Lodge on Friday, June 21, 2019 at the age of 93 years.

She is survived by her three sons and one daughter, Richard, Shelley, Wade and Brian. Ivy is also survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, cousins and their families as well as two sisters, Barbara Lanczik and Georgina Griffiths.

She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Maynard, parents, and her sister Eleanor Rollingson.

Ivy was born to Albert and Sarah Pink (Wilson) on March 7, 1926 in Lethbridge.

Ivy attended LCI, then Normal School in Calgary to become a teacher. She met her future husband while teaching in Picture Butte, and married Maynard Pierson on November 12, 1947. They farmed just west of Park Lake in the early sixties. Ivy packed up her children and moved with her husband to North Africa in the late sixties, where they spent nine years overseas residing in Libya, Malta, Cypress and Saudi Arabia before returning to Canada in the late seventies.

The most important people in Ivy’s life were her family, her happiest moments those when family was all together for brunch.

At Ivy’s request, no formal funeral service will be held. A Celebration of Ivy’s life will be held at COUNTRY KITCHEN CATERING, 1715 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, July 20, 2019 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Please use back entrance (east side).

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a charity of your choice.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

SMALL LEGS

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father Devalon James Small Legs on July 14, 2019 at the age of 65 in Fort Macleod, Alberta.

There will be a short ceremony at Edens Funeral Home at 1:00 pm in Fort Macleod commencing a two day wake service to follow at the Small Legs Residence on the Piikani Reserve taking place July 22 and 23, 2019.

Funeral will be held at the Piikani Community Hall in Brocket, Alberta on July 24, 2019 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at the Small Legs Burial Plot located across the river north of the reserve (maps will be available at the wake service) and Meal to follow back at the Piikani Community Hall.

Condolences may be sent through:

http://www.edensfuneralhome.com

TOKITSU

Teruko (Terrie) Tokitsu passed away peacefully at Chartwell Eau Claire Residence in Calgary on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, after living a full life, at the age of 90.

She will be missed by her children; Aiko Arlene Tokitsu, Brent Tokitsu, Diane (Tom) Guppy. Bachan to granddaughters; Kelly (Simon) Cook, Jill (Brady) Anderson, Rachel & Janet Tokitsu. Great- Bachan to Vivian & Henry Anderson, & Lucy Cook.

Her granddaughters fondly remember their Bachan’s lemon meringue pie, which was always waiting for them when they visited.

An avid bingo player Mom won her last jackpot in May.

Cremation & private interment for immediate family only.

Memorial gifts in Terrie’s name may be made to BTSA 470-40 St. S., Lethbridge AB, T1J 3Z5 or charity of your choice.

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

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