WEDNESDAY, January 15, 2020

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 15, 2020.

Audrey Bigelow
1936 – 2020
Audrey Myrtle Bigelow (nee Odland), beloved wife of the late Don Bigelow, passed away in Taber on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the age of 83 years.
Further information including service details will follow once arrangements have been finalized.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

Larry Robert Chase Jr.

1964 – 2020

Mr. Larry Robert Chase Jr. of Lethbridge passed away at St. Michael’s Health Care Centre, on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at the age of 55 years.

Family and Friends are invited to pay their respects at 2:00pm on Friday, January 17, 2020 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm, on Friday, January 17, 2020 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend Eva Stanley, officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make memorial donations to Diabetes Canada, 1510 2 Ave South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0G1.

Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

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

HUBER

RONALD “RON” ALLAN HUBER, beloved husband of Darlene Huber, of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the age of 83 years.

A Memorial Service will be held at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH, 1011 – 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Ruth Preston-Schilk officiating.

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

Vera Owsley

1924 – 2020

Mrs. Vera Owsley of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Kenneth Owsley, passed away at Edith Cavell Care Centre on Friday, January 10, 2020 at the age of 95 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.

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

RED CROW

SHEILA MAY RED CROW, beloved wife of Alvin Red Crow, of the Blood Reserve, passed away at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the age of 57 years.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Wake Service at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Sunday, January 19, 2020 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Roque Pereira celebrating.

Following the Mass, Sheila will be laid to rest in the Red Crow Family Cemetery.

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

George Thacker

George Thacker of Bow Island, passed away peacefully at the Bow Island Health Centre on Sunday, December 15, 2019, at the age of 99 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Florence Thacker (nee Heck); six children, Lynn (Ute), Jan (Meryl) Goodfellow, Jim (Dalyce), Dale (Natalie), Diane (Tim) Main and Richard as well as two sisters, Ivy Corns and Clara Fraser. Over the years, George and Florence became the proud grand-parents of 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. In 1919, George’s parents, Herb and Clara Thacker, immigrated to the Bow Island area from Staffordshire, England. They arrived with his older brothers, Joe and Herb. George was their first child born in Canada in 1920, followed by sisters, Ivy, Elsie and Clara. Coming from a coal-mining background, the entire family embraced farming as their new way of life. George and Florence grew their dry land farming operation substantially before irrigation moved into their area. Resisting the flood irrigation methods of the day, George, Joe, Herb and the Campbell brothers of Burdett introduced pivot irrigation into Western Canada in the early 1960’s. George loved to acquire knowledge and was an avid reader. He had an amazing memory and was a true historian regarding matters in the Bow Island area, as well as many other topics. George was a critical thinker and a problem solver with the ability to look ‘outside of the box’. His sons would often seek his opinion on important farming matters right up to the end. His input was always well thought out and valued. George contributed to public life in his community. In the 1950’s, he helped organize and build the Bow Island hockey arena and curling rink which are still in use today. A few decades later, he was instrumental in upgrading the local golf course to grass greens and irrigated fairways. He served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce as well as taking a run at the candidacy for the Federal Conservative Party in the 1970’s. It was probably fortunate that he narrowly lost, for the glacial pace in Ottawa would have frustrated his “let’s get it done” attitude. In his retirement years, George amazed us by producing some unusually large artistic ‘monuments’ that still stand today. He even built a time capsule commemorating the NWMP trek west, with help from local school children, intended to be opened in 2074. George enjoyed travelling in the latter half of his life, both with Florence and on his own. They travelled to Russia and Europe together for the ’72 hockey series. They travelled extensively in North America and he later toured South America and Australia on his own. George and Florence spent 17 winters living in Arizona, which George credited to better health for them both. In his final years, he spent time in the Bow Island Lodge and Long Term Care where he was treated with dignity and respect. A celebration of George’s life will be held in the Burdett Community Hall, on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. A light luncheon will follow the ceremony. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be directed to either the Pleasant View Lodge c/o Auxiliary Comfort Fund, P.O. Bag 6700, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0 or the Bow Island & District Health Foundation c/o Long Term Care, Bow Island Health Centre, P.O. Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta. T1A 4V4. Toll free 1-877-528-6455.

VAN PELT

CORNELIUS VAN PELT, beloved husband of Lena Van Pelt, of Lethbridge, was called home on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the age of 86 years.

Dad is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lena, his four children, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: Debbie Van Pelt of Denver, CO, and her children, Hannah and Noah; David (Christina) Van Pelt of Coaldale, and their children, Martina, Liana, Erica and Isaac; Corlene (Joe) Groenenboom of Kipp, and their children, Tim (Carmen) and Becca (Cole) and their daughter, Ava, Joel (Rieneke) and their children, Sadie and Dean, Rachel, and Aaron (Kaitlyn) and their son, Colton; and Tanya (Ian) Russell of Skiff, and their children, Kennidy, Kourt, and Ty. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Terry Wilschut and Audrey Van Dyk, and his brother, Art Van Pelt.

Dad was born on May 4, 1933 in Ridderkerk, The Netherlands. He moved to Canada in 1953 with his parents and siblings, and they settled in the Lethbridge area.

In 1956, Dad met the love of his life—Lena Van Westenbrugge. The couple was married on June 2, 1962. Together, they had four children: Debbie, David, Corlene, and Tanya. Mom & Dad were faithful members of St. Andrew’s Church, where Dad felt it was his mission to greet every person that came and make them feel welcome.

Dad was a social networker, and he valued each and every one of his friendships. He could always be found enjoying good conversation over a cup of coffee. He was happiest when he was spending time with his family, reading a book, tending his hives, or working in his woodshop, but there was nothing he loved more than an adventure on the road.

Dad was the most generous man we ever knew, and he always gave more than he had—whether that was time, money, or knowledge.

A Funeral Service will be held at ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1818 – 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Hugh Jack officiating.

A Private Interment will be held at Archmount Cemetery prior to the service.

In memory of Cornelius, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada at http://www.parkinson.ca/donate or to Compassion Canada at http://www.compassion.ca/make-a-donation.

Well done, good and faithful servant. Alles is goed! Alles is goed!

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

WOODMAN

RON WOODMAN (Woody), of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully with his loving wife Donna and his kids Charon (Brian) and Doug by his side on January 9, 2020 at the young age of 66.

Ron is predeceased by his mother Kay, and survived by his father Bruce, brother Rick (Donna), sister Carolin (Gabe), grandchildren Kaeden, Kaelee (mom Jacki), nieces Brooke, Aspen, Laura, nephew Logan, and Aunt Kay as well as so many great friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Army and Navy of Lethbridge on March 7, 2020 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Ron’s name to Chinook Regional Hospital’s Jack Ady Cancer Centre, 960 19 Street South, Lethbridge, AB. – the family would greatly appreciate it.

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

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