THURSDAY, June 11, 2020

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on June 11, 2020.

Henry John Bergen cm, aoe, lld

June 26, 1935 – June 7, 2020

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Henry Bergen at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre at the age of 84.

Henry was born June 26, 1935 in the Mennonite village of Gnadenthal, Ukraine to Johan and Justina Bergen. In 1937, Henry’s father was forcibly taken from his home and family by the Stalinist Regime and was never seen or heard from again. In 1943, Henry’s mother with five young children left the Ukraine by wagon train to Poland and Germany. They spent five years as refugees in Germany and with help from the Mennonite Central Committee were able to immigrate to Canada in November 1948. They settled on a small farm in Coaldale and worked sugar beets to pay for the trip to Canada.

Henry attended school and then in 1952 started employment at the Canada Agriculture Research Station as a field technician and then later moved into the shop as a mechanic and then eventually as an innovator and fabricator of scientific equipment for use in field projects.

In 1962, Henry married Mary Ann Lepp and together they had three children, David Henry, Douglas John and Jacqueline Marie.

In 1968, Henry bought the Siemens Hatchery location on Highway 3 in Coaldale and started GEN Manufacturing Ltd. where he continued to build scientific instruments and also managed an automotive tune up service for a large clientele. In the early 80’s, Henry decided to shift the business more toward the agriculture sector and began developing, manufacturing and marketing ground engaging openers and wear points for farm seeders and other tillage equipment. The opener business is thriving to the present day.

Also, in 1975, Henry purchased property at Jaffray, BC and started Bergen Plantations blue spruce tree nursery which he managed for many years.

As a result of his lifelong achievements in the agricultural field, Henry was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2007. Also, he received a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Lethbridge in 2008 and was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2013. He was a member of the U of L Senate from 2004 to 2007.

Henry was very driven in his business pursuits and always strived for perfection. He had a great capacity for providing wise advice and solving problems and helped many people and organizations in this way.

Henry is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his children, David (Salma), Douglas (Lisa), and Jackie (John) Dyck, his grandchildren, Brandon, Tristin, Dana, Mariah (Nigel) Thiessen, Victoria, Grantham, Ryan, and Bethany. Also his sister Anna Hildebrandt and sister-in-law Annie Bergen. He is predeceased by his parents Johan and Justina Bergen, brothers John, Bill, and Peter, brother-in-law Jake Hildebrandt and sisters-in-law Martha Bergen and Lona Bergen.

Due to current restrictions, a funeral service will be held at a later date.

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

Lynda Bohnet

1942 – 2020

Mrs. Lynda Bohnet of Lethbridge, formerly of Stirling, beloved wife of the late Mr. Paul Bohnet, passed away at Edith Cavell Care Centre on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at the age of 77 years.

Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

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

CALF ROBE

NATASHA LYNN CALF ROBE, beloved mother of Tandi, Tylen and Teely. Daughter of Melanie Shouting; sister of Nathan (Joe), Velvet and Crystal passed away in Lethbridge, AB on June 3, 2020.

A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Friday, June 12th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. A Viewing will be held on Saturday, June 13th from 9:30 – 11:00 with a Private Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions a limited number will be allowed into the service at a time.)

To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

DEMERS

DONAT PAUL DEMERS passed away peacefully on his 77th birthday, June 5, 2020, at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge after a short but brave fight with cancer.

He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Rosaleen Demers, and both parents, Wilfred Toussaint, and Ellen Demers, and numerous siblings.

Don is survived by his children, Lisa (Richard) Brodowski of BC, Jennifer (Roldo) Eliason of Lethbridge, and Erin (Steve) Hyatt of Hong Kong, eight grandchildren (James, Stephanie, Brendon, Laura, Ryan, Mariah, Hannah, and Rowan) and three great-grandchildren (Nevaeh, Penny, and Milo).

Don was a compassionate, thoughtful, and honourable man who loved his family. He was active in his community with the Knights of Columbus and the Save Our Churches Association. He will be remembered for his love of hockey, especially the Habs, and his willingness to open his home to those in need.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Last Chance Cat Ranch in Lethbridge.

A Prayer Service will be held on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 AM. Due to the ongoing gathering restrictions, family and friends that cannot attend are welcome to watch a livestream via his obituary on our website for both the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MEDICINE CRANE

FABIAN GILBERT MEDICINE CRANE, passed away at home on the Blood Reserve on June 5, 2020 at the age of 56 years.

A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday, June 14th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. A Viewing will be held on Monday, June 15th from 9:30 – 11:00 with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. For those attending Please wear a mask. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions a limited number will be allowed into the service at a time.)

To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

NELSON

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, LaDENE NELSON.

LaDene passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at the age of 87. She will now join her beloved husband Norman in eternal life.

She is survived by her two children, Greg Nelson (Myrna Morton) and Glenna (Lorne) Erickson; six grandchildren, Brandon, Damon (Laura), Dayne, Daniel (Anna), Bradley (Melanie), and Kaitlyn; three great-grandchildren, Claire, Emma, and Seren; one sister, Marge Manderville, and two brothers, Myron Hirsche and Lynn Hirsche.

She was predeceased by her parents, Fern & Leonard Hirsche; husband, Norman Nelson; brother, Dewaine Hirsche; sister, Gay Ericksen; nephew, Gordon Hirsche, and great-nephew, Brock Hirsche.

LaDene was born in Stirling, AB on November 5, 1932. She married her loving husband, Norman Nelson, on December 8, 1951 and together spent 62 years on the family farm near Wrentham, AB. In addition to her work on the farm, LaDene spent 40 years working at Grovers General Store in Wrentham.

Due to the ongoing gathering restrictions, a Private Celebration of LaDene’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 1:00 PM. A Private Family Viewing will take place one hour prior to the service.

Friends and family that are unable to attend in-person may watch via livestream under LaDene’s obituary on our website.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

STARZYK

JOHN ROY STARZYK, of Calgary, beloved husband of Albertine North Peigan, passed away suddenly in Calgary, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at the age of 56 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

SWEN

FRANZ HEINRICH WOODROW SWEN, beloved husband of the late Pjam Swen, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Monday, June 8, 2020 at the age of 72 years.

Franz is survived by a brother, sister, seven children and their partners, as well as ten grandchildren.

Besides his loving wife, Pjam, he was predeceased by his parents and older brother

Franz was born on October 13, 1947 in Giethoorn, the Netherlands to Franz and Wijnanda Swen. After immigrating to Canada in 1976 and a short return to the Netherlands in the 90’s, Franz called Coaldale his home for the past 24 years. A dairy farmer by trade, Franz spent his whole career on the farm. He enjoyed his retirement surrounded by his kids and grandkids while also spending time on his two passions: gardening and working with model trains. He looked forward to his yearly winter escape back to the Netherlands in order to be with family.

Franz was such a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed, but comfort is found in knowing that he is again with his loving wife Pjam.

Per Franz’s wishes, a small Private Gathering will be held at a later date.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

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