FRIDAY, March 27, 2020

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on March 27, 2020.

DE GROOT

HANK DE GROOT of Lethbridge passed away March 24, 2020 at Chinook Regional Hospital at the age of 51 years.

Hank is survived by his mother Carol; his brother Steve (Rachelle); his niece Megan and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Hank is predeceased by his father Ben.

A Private Funeral Service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery.

In memory of Hank, donations may be made to the Cancer Society of Alberta at http://www.cancer.ca/donate

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

DUTCHAK

EUGENE GEORGE DUTCHAK passed away peacefully on March 25th, 2020 in the Lethbridge Regional Hospital surrounded by his wife and children. Eugene is survived by his wife Cheryl, his two children Shelley (Brad) and Jeremy (Dallyn) and his precious grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Jaidyn, Camryn, Lincoln, Greg and Nashville. Eugene is also survived by his siblings Carole (Will), Georgette (Rick), Peter (Bonnie-Lou) and Bill. He was predeceased by his sister Kathy and his parents George and Emily.

Eugene was born on April 17, 1956, in Medicine Hat, Alberta and completed his education in Enchant and Vauxhall. He had a wonderful sense of humour, quick wit and loved a good Ukrainian joke. If you thought you were going to talk to him for 5 minutes you would be pleasantly surprised when you are still there a half an hour later. The boy liked to talk!!!

Eugene was a very intelligent, well-read person and his dream was to become a political journalist. But his heartstrings took a tug and he knew that his real love was farming. He was proud of the fact that he lived on his grandfather’s family farm which saw 5 generations and 100 years.

Eugene was very involved with Jeremy and Shelley’s sports. He travelled thousands of miles and several provinces and watched with pride as they participated in the various sports they played. He continued this same dedication with his grandchildren. His entire family shared his love for the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Eugene served on many boards throughout his life including Vauxhall Minor Hockey, Bow River Gas Co-op, Taber Golden Suns, Enchant Seed Cleaning Plant and the Horizon Strategic Planning Committee.

Eugene was the Rock of the family. He was blessed with strength, integrity and honour. His life was a blessing and he was loved beyond years. He made all of us better people and we are honoured to call him Dad and Grandpa.

Cremation, with interment at a later date in the Enchant Cemetery.

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

DYKSTRA

GLENN DYKSTRA, beloved husband of the late Mattie Dykstra, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at Legacy Lodge on Friday, March 20, 2020 at the age of 85 years.

A Private Family Graveside will be held at Mountain View Cemetery. A Celebration of Glenn’s Life will be held at a later date, further details will be announced once completed.

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

EAGLE SPEAKER

SHERRY LYNN EAGLE SPEAKER passed away in Cardston, AB on March 23rd, 2020 at the age of 49 years. A Private Family Service will be held at White Calf Hall, Standoff, AB on Saturday March 28th at 11:00 am with a private viewing from 9:30 – 11:00 am. Interment in the St. Catherine’s Cemetery.

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

EGGER

FRED EGGER, beloved husband of Martha Egger, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre with family at his side on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the age of 86 years.

Psalm 27:Wait on the Lord. Fred’s unshakeable faith in the Lord provided him with comfort and strength as he battled with cancer.

Fred is survived by his wife Martha, son Duaine and brother Rudy. Fred will be sorely missed by his four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Fred was predeceased by his son Darcy and brother Alex.

The family extends their sincerest thanks to the staff of St. Michael’s Health Centre for the care and love they provided.

Fred will be laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery following a Private Family Service.

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Fred, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Health Centre (1400 – 9 Avenue S, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V5).

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

Glenn Joseph Fosbender

1930 – 2020

Glenn Joseph Fosbender, known as Joe, passed away on March 22, 2020, at the age of 89 years, in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was born on July 16, 1930 in Danville, Illinois to Glenn and Mary (Plummer) Fosbender. Joe grew up in Toledo, Ohio and graduated from Libbey High School in 1948. After high school he went to work for the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company, known as the “Nickel Plate Road” in Toledo. During the Korean War, Joe served his country in the United States Army as a radio operator for two years. He spent 17 months serving overseas in Okinawa, Japan. After Army service, Joe returned to Toledo and resumed working with the Nickle Plate Road. He worked his way up to locomotive engineer and managed the Clover Leaf Credit Union. Joe retired from Norfolk Southern Corporation in 1990 after 40 years of service. Joe married Judith Ann Morton in 1958 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Joe and Judy were happily married for 61 years. While living in Toledo, Ohio and Temperance, Michigan, Joe was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church and worked as their custodian to help maintain the old building. In 2000, Joe and Judy moved to Lethbridge, Alberta to be closer to their youngest daughter Janis and her family. Joe became very involved with the Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge. He enjoyed serving the community through Kiwanis activities and developed many fond friendships which lasted the rest of his life. He became a dual US and Canadian citizen in 2015. Besides his loving wife Judy, Joe is survived by his daughters Lynn Fosbender (Colin Smith) of Kalispell, Montana; Julie Fosbender (Kieran O’Malley) of Elkins, West Virginia; Lisa Fosbender of Spokane, Washington; and Janis (Scott) Crighton of Lethbridge; his grandchildren Mary and Tristan O’Malley, and Joey and Sam Crighton; and his loving nieces, nephews and other numerous relatives. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Fosbender and Mary Fosbender Kerstetter, step-father Howard Kerstetter, and sister Janice (Fosbender) Nowak. A private service for family and friends will be held in the summer to celebrate Joe’s life.

Memorial gifts and donations may be made to the Lethbridge and District Humane Society, 2920 16th Avenue North, Lethbridge, Alberta T1H 5E9.

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

Mary Anne Hutton

1926 – 2020

It is with great sadness that the family of MARY ANNE HUTTON announced her passing on March 25th, 2020 at the age of 93 years. Mary Anne was predeceased by her husband Robert and daughter Diane. She will be loving remembered by her brother George, daughter Patricia, (Ralph), daughter Peggy, (Len), son Robert, (Karen), son-in-law John; grandchildren – Troy (Sandra), Andrea (Rick), Deborah (Chad), Kelly (Jason), Tim (Avril) Robyn (Myles), Brian (Ocean); great grandchildren – Haley, Quinn, Samantha, Rykker, Ethan, Colby, Tristan, Eli She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends she embraced over the years. At this time there will be no funeral arrangements due to COVID-19. There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date. We would like to thank all the Caregivers at Legacy Lodge – North Cottage (Lethbridge) for their kindness and care given to our mother.

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

JOHNSON, Bruce Gordon

December 8, 1950 – March 19, 2020

It is with profound sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. On Thursday, March 19, 2020 Bruce Gordon Johnson of Granum, AB lost his valiant fight with cancer at the age of 69 years.

Bruce will be lovingly remembered by his children, Darren (Cheryl) Johnson, & his precious granddaughter, Jesse; Deanne Eng (Richard Wensveen) & family; Vicky (Barin) Beresford & family; Carrie (Harley) Davis & family, and the mother of his children, Cheryl Howell. Also mourning his loss are his brother, Ross (Pat) Johnson & family; and his sister, Judy (Torben) Schmidt & family. Bruce will be dearly missed by his lifetime friend, Wilfrid Flamand; godson, Brandon Flamand; and his beloved dog, Jack, along with several other close friends. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Gustav & Joyce Johnson. December 8, 1950 Bruce was born in Claresholm, AB. He was raised on the family farm south of Granum. In 1973 he moved into Granum, married Cheryl and lovingly became “the Dad he didn’t have to be” to her three little girls. Their son, Darren, was born in 1976. In the nineties Bruce returned to the farm residence and resided there until his passing.

Bruce was a farmer at heart, an occupation he enjoyed until he retired from it. While helping on the family farm he also worked at Crestbrook Forrest Industries in Fort Macleod for several years. In 1996 he bought the old UFA property in Granum, reclaimed the land and opened his own independent gas station, Johnson’s Petroleum. In 2007 Bruce sold his business to his daughter Vicky (Barin) Beresford. By his own choice, retirement was short lived; he needed to keep busy and soon began working at McNally Construction. Bruce was a part of the McNally family until his illness forced him to give up his job. Bruce loved his community. He was a founding and lifetime member of the Granum Golf and Country Club and he was Granum’s #1 Edmonton Oilers fan. He cherished time spent with his family and friends, be it playing a game of crib, a round of golf, fishing or enjoying a “cold one”.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Granum Golf & Country Club or a charity of your choice. The family is proud to be placing a memorial bench in Bruce’s name at the Granum Golf and Country Club. Due to the current health emergency we are all experiencing, a Memorial Service will be held at a future date, to be determined. 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

LARSON

RICHARD DEAN LARSON passed away on his farm at Raymond, AB on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 in Raymond at the age of 85. At Richard’s request, no funeral service shall be held.

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

MATLOCK

RICHARD “MATTY” MATLOCK, beloved husband of LouAnne Matlock, of Coaldale, passed away at the Coaldale Long Term Care Centre, on Monday, March 23, 2020 at the age of 77 years.

Besides his loving wife LouAnne, Richard is survived by their daughter Staci (Ryan) Bayliss and four grandchildren: Aiden, Jaxon, Paige and Montana. Richard will also be remembered by his daughters Vee and Robyn and son Brad, brother Robert (Gail) Matlock and extended family Sean (Jayme) Erickson as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Orin and Ivy as well as brothers Les and Cliff.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

No flowers by request. In lieu, please consider a donation to Lethbridge Little League (Box 1687, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 0L3).

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

THORSON

COLLEEN RALPH THORSON passed away in Magrath, on March 23, 2020.

Colleen was born on October 4, 1929 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. Her Parents were Albert (Mutt) and Eva (Heggie) Ralph.

Colleen and Bob Wilford Thorson were married on January 21, 1953. They raised two beautiful daughters that were the love of their lives! Her sweetheart, Bob passed away June 19, 1997.

Colleen was struck by the Polio epidemic as a child, and spent several months in the Calgary, Alberta Primary Children’s Hospital. She was mischievous, and the other children encouraged her shenanigans. She gave joy to those around her. She brought sunshine everywhere she went with her cheerful, positive outlook on life.

Colleen was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and taught Primary for 35 years. She was a master teacher, always prepared with wonderful, creative lessons that brought the lessons to life. She also taught Mutual to the teenage girls in her ward.

During her adult life, Colleen lived in Lethbridge, Calgary, Warner and Raymond.

Colleen worked as a secretary for Southern Road Construction in Raymond, Alberta.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Bob Wilford Thorson; daughters Cindy Thorson and Eva Jo Thorson; brother Lloyd Albert Ralph and her parents Mutt and Eva Ralph.

She is survived by her loving sister Marilyn Ralph Hyde (Palmer Hyde); sister-in-law Jazelle Meeks Ralph, and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank all of those who cared for Colleen in her aging years. Her loving niece, Jeri Lynn Ralph, Sister Marilyn Ralph Hyde, brother-in-law Wm. Palmer Hyde, sister-in-law Jazelle Ralph, and all of those who assisted her in the nursing facilities in Raymond and Magrath.

Her parents were told that as a child, Colleen would never live a long life, she was “too white” to live. Well, she proved them all wrong – She lived to be 90 years old!

In Colleen’s words, “Love you, Love you, Love you!!!”

A private family Graveside Service has been held in the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond, Alberta.

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

YAECK

It is with great love and fond memories that we announce the peaceful passing of Sharry (Sharon) Yaeck of Lethbridge, AB at home surrounded by family, on March 5, 2020 at the age of 73. Sharry is survived by her husband, Jack; her children, Dr. Chad Yaeck of Calgary and Tawna (Wayne) Moura of Cochrane and her grandchildren, Gavin Yaeck and Katalina Moura. A celebration of Sharry’s life will be held in late spring.

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