By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on October 19, 2019.
BRUCE WILLIS FERGUSON
July 3, 1946 – September 14, 2019
Bruce Ferguson, a native of Lethbridge, passed away in Los Angeles after a brief illness. Bruce graduated from the LCI, the University of Saskatchewan and McGill. Bruce was always proud of his Lethbridge roots, and was delighted to recently receive a jacket bearing the Native Sons hockey team logo. He was recognized internationally as an innovative curator, writer, academic leader, and influential in contemporary arts. Bruce served as President of Otis College of Art Design, Los Angeles; Dean of the School of Arts at Columbia University; and Dean of Arts & Humanities, American University, Cairo. Preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Vera Ferguson, he is survived by his daughter, Gretchen; granddaughter, Kesari; and sister, Anne Marie, all of Vancouver.
CHRAPKO
October 8, 1948 – October 16, 2019
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to IVAN DAN CHRAPKO, P. Eng. Ivan passed away with his family at his side, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the age of 71 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at VERTICAL CHURCH, 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd., Pincher Creek, AB, on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 1:30 P.M.
Condolences can be sent to Ivan’s family to sssmorgans@ platinum.ca In lieu of flowers, Ivan requested that consideration be given to trees, fruit trees or shrubs to be planted on the farm in Pincher Creek. (Gift certificates are available through the Blue Mouse Greenhouse Ltd. in Pincher Creek – 403-627-4087 – Email thebluemousegh@outlook .com). The Greenhouse has requested that this be done by Nov. 30, 2019.
Richard “Rick” Esselink
1950 – 2019
Mr. Richard “Rick” Esselink of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Trix Esselink, passed away at St. Michaels Palliative Care on Friday, October 18, 2019 at the age of 69 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced when complete.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
ELEANOR JOAN GLEN
February 4, 1932—October 15, 2019
Joan Glen passed away Oct. 15 in Pincher Creek’s Crestview Lodge at the age of 87.
Mourning her loss are her brother, Bill Webb, daughters Heather Dodd (Norman), Laurie Glen (Norm Hilbert), Barbara Glen (David Schritt), Tracy Glen (Warren Akitt), grandchildren Jamie Dodd; Melissa, Dan, Stephanie and Travis Graham; and great-grandchildren Jayden, Brandon and Tyler Hayward, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Joan was predeceased by her husband, David B. Glen, her sister Betty Jacobs, her grandson Curtis Dodd and her own parents, Leona and William Webb.
Joan was born in Edmonton and grew up in Tofield, Alta., the middle child between Betty and Bill. She obtained her teaching degree and taught elementary school in several northern Alberta towns before meeting and marrying David in July 1955. They lived in various locations, among them Drayton Valley, Fox Creek and Lodgepole, while David, his parents and brothers pursued oilfield work as Glen Contractors Ltd.
In 1961, the family moved to a ranch north of Pincher Creek and a few years later to a ranch north of Lundbreck, where they lived and raised their four daughters until 1990. They then moved to Pincher Creek and eventually to Crestview Lodge, where Joan resided until her passing.
Joan had a life-long love of music and was a skilled pianist. She gave piano lessons to many youths in the Lundbreck and Cowley community and was church organist at Foothills United Church in Cowley for more than 20 years. She was also a substitute teacher and accepted numerous long-term substitute teaching terms at Livingstone School in Lundbreck, Canyon School in Pincher Creek and Brocket School in Brocket.
Joan was an avid gardener of vegetables but especially flowers. She loved to dance and do handwork including knitting, crocheting and cross-stitch.
She was vital to operations at Glen Ranching Ltd., where she also ran a bed and breakfast in the 1980s. After leaving the ranch, she and David operated a successful business, Glen Ranch Barnwood Originals.
Joan was a member of the Eastern Star Castleview Chapter and a former member of the UCW and Daughters of the Nile.
She was always and forever supportive of her girls’ endeavors, whether 4-H, rodeo, track and field, singing, school sports or fly fishing. Her elegance and kindness endeared her to many and she leaves a vast empty space in all our lives.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Pincher Creek United Church beginning at 2 p.m. Refreshments will follow in the church basement. Condolences/tributes can be posted at Eden’s Funeral Homes, Pincher Creek. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to the Cowley Lions Club for community projects and service, Box 53, Cowley, Alta. T0K 0P0.
HARKER
ALICE LAVERNE LEVERING HARKER passed away on October 17, 2019 at the Cardston Hospital. She is finally at rest and enjoying a sweet reunion with the love of her life, Marvin. Alice was born on January 25, 1922 in Morrow County, Ohio to George Willard and Ruth Emma Hollingsworth Levering.
A loving mother and grandmother, Alice is survived by her children, George Johnson (Annetta) of Edison, Ohio, Earl Matthew Levering (deceased), Rhoda Sheena Harker of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, John Harker (Tami) of Vernon, British Columbia, James Harker (Lara) of Camas, Washington, and Ruth Emma Holli Harker (deceased). She spent hours enjoying pictures and memories of 17 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren. They were her treasure in this world.
Her heritage also inspired and motivated her to action. She loved genealogy and believed deeply in eternal families and temple work. She authored a book on Levering family history and faithfully documented many other lives. She spent happy hours gardening, painting and reading. She was talented with a paint brush and in front of the piano. At her request, there will be no funeral. A brief Graveside Service will be held Monday, October 21st at 11 a.m. in the Glenwood Cemetery. Many thanks to her Glenwood family, caregivers at Lee Crest and those who helped to brighten her days.
Condolences may be sent to: http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
HOFER
JOHN HOFER passed away at the Gold Spring Colony, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the age of 86 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at GOLD SPRING COLONY, Warner, AB, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11:30 A.M.
Interment to follow in Gold Spring Colony Cemetery.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Heather McKay
1954 – 2019
Heather June McKay, passed away in Lethbridge on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at the age of 65 years.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
NOVAK
Norma M. – Norma Mae Novak (nee Halstead) of Nanaimo, was born in Lomond, Alberta on April 15, 1928, and died peacefully on October 6, 2019 at the age of 91 years. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years Bill in 2016; parents, William in 1966 and Ada in 1997; her sisters Phyllis, Rita, and Fran; and brothers Ronnie, Ed (Beau), and Bob. Norma is survived by daughters Pamela Sprawson, Patricia Novak, Susan Butt (Mobashar), and Helen “Joey” Novak Lauscher (John); ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Norma spent much of her childhood in Gleichen, Alberta where her father was a grain buyer, and moved to Nokomis, Saskatchewan in 1942 when her folks bought the original Halstead farm. After graduation, she went to normal school and began her teaching career. One of the communities where she taught was Rhein, Saskatchewan where she met Bill in 1948. Norma and Bill were married in 1950. She taught primary school when she wasn’t at home with the kids, and earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta. The family settled in Cold Lake, Alberta in 1960, where both Norma and Bill worked as educators with the Department of National Defense at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake. Norma taught primary grades and was also a special education teacher, having post-graduate training in exceptional education from the University of Saskatchewan. Norma loved swimming and volunteered as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the base pool. The family spent summers at their cottage on Marie Lake. In retirement, Norma and Bill moved back to Saskatchewan to be near family and her aging Mom. In the 1990s, they spent winters in the Parksville Qualicum area until they made Qualicum Beach their full-time home in 1999. They enjoyed wonderful friendships in Qualicum, and were active in the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association, St. Marks Anglican Church, and the Legion. In 2013, Norma and Bill moved to Origin at Longwood in Nanaimo. The family thanks the staff of Astoria Suites for their loving and kind care. A celebration of Norma’s life will be held in Saskatchewan in the spring. In lieu of flowers, you may remember Norma by donating to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, or a charity of your choice.
VAN DYKE, Ernest Allen
Ernest “Ernie” passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at the age of 82 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Rickie of 56 years; children, Yvonne (Carman) DesRoches and their children, Dustin and Danielle, Dave (Tess) Van Dyke and their children, Theo and Max; Sue (Rich) Rowley and their children, Logan and Zak; great grandchildren, Bentley and Hayden; brother, Harry Van Dyke; and sister, Berdena Postman. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Helen, and brother, Ralph. A Memorial Service will be held at Nobleford Christian Reformed Church, 822 Highway Avenue, Nobleford, AB on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie’s memory to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Box 56376, Stn. BRM B, Toronto, ON M7Y 9C1, or Lethbridge and District Pro-Life, 1805 – 9 Avenue N, Lethbridge, AB T1H 1H8, or a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at http://www.myalternatives.ca.
Serving Claresholm and Surrounding Areas Since 1997 (403) 625-5111 & (888) 216-5111
Chiyoko Marion “Tami” Wakelen
1943 – 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Chiyoko Marion “Tami” Wakelen, on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at the age of 75 years. Tami was loved and will be dearly missed by her husband of 50 years, Charles Wakelen, of Lethbridge; her two daughters Cindy (Bryan) Hickey and Cherie (Evan) Cardinal; and her four grandsons Brayden Hickey, Bryce Hickey, Ethan West and Nevin West, all of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Tami was predeceased by her father, Kumajiro Omotani, in 1986 and her mother, Fumie Omotani, in 2004. Tami was born in Taber, Alberta on December 17, 1943 and grew up on a farm in Cranford, Alberta. She eventually moved to Lethbridge to attend the Galt School of Nursing where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1964. Tami married Charles in September 1969 and they just recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary with their family. Tami and Charles remained in Lethbridge where they raised their two daughters. She enjoyed camping, gardening and especially spending time her family. A private family gathering will be held to honor Tami and her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, 300. 55 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 2Y7
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
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