WEDNESDAY, August 12, 2020

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on August 12, 2020.

Richard “Rick” Credico

1951 – 2020

Mr. Richard “Rick” Credico of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Grace Cormier Credico, passed away after a lengthy illness with ALS, at Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the age of 68 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

GIBB, Donna Jean (nee Elder)
April 17, 1952 – Wilke, Saskatchewan
August 8, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

On Saturday, August 8, 2020, the world lost Donna Jean Gibb at the age of 68 years. Donna was a beautiful woman on the inside and out.

Donna spread sunshine and joy wherever she went, with a kind word and smile for everyone, from her closest friends to the supermarket cashier. Her quest for adventure never slowed down whether she was travelling the world, running the Boston marathon, hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, or perfecting her headstand during her daily yoga practice.

Growing up in Revenue, SK, followed by school years in Lethbridge, AB, she shared endless laughs and memories with her eight brothers and sisters and her loving mom and dad. From her early childhood, it was clear that Donna had a zest for life, making every moment fun, especially when a little mischief was involved.

Donna was a proud achiever whose work ethic was driven by her endless passion. Whether she was entertaining crowds in summer stock theatre, working in Marketing, or leading the Walk Group with the Trico-FLC Senior’s Club, her exuberance was undeniable. Her enthusiasm for learning saw her earn her undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary and her Master’s Degree from Athabasca University.

Donna’s most joyful memories were made with her husband, Bill. Her most memorable trips were spent running destination-marathons (more than 25 of them!) with Bill all over North America and Europe. For a more relaxing vacation, Donna and Bill called Hawaii their go-to “happy place,” spending many winters swimming with turtles and enjoying beachside sunsets.

Whether she was in the kitchen perfecting her favorite vegan dishes or passing down the famous Elder-family German sausage recipe to her son-in-law, Earl, Donna was known for her ability to whip up a feast. Throughout her many pursuits, Donna exuded class. Even in her downtime, spent reading on her outdoor swing (aka The Paralyzer), meditating, or spending time with family, it was rare to find her without a strand of her signature pearls and a silk scarf around her neck.

Donna will be remembered fondly by all that knew her. With more than 25 years together, Bill will deeply miss Donna, who he aptly nicknamed “the Bird,” and their many adventures in life, which sadly ended too soon. Known by Ian and Jeanine as the best mom ever, and loving called Ammee by Oscar and Naomi, she will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

With Donna’s spark and unique spirit, let us all remember her with a smile, and focus on our most cherished memories with a truly remarkable woman who touched us all with her positivity and sunshine.

Besides her loving husband, Bill, Donna is survived by her son Ian Sutherland, daughter Jeanine Gordon, son-in-law, Earl Gordon, and grandchildren, Oscar and Naomi Gordon.

A Celebration of Donna’s Life will be held at a later date. Details to follow shortly. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Donna’s obituary at http://www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Ovarion Cancer Canada, 205-145 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 1E3, Telephone: (877) 413-7970, https://ovariancanada.org/donate.

In living memory of Donna Gibb, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

JACOBS, Gordon

January 8, 1940 – August 9, 2020

Please note time changes

for the service.

With heavy hearts we mourn the passing of Gordon Willard Jacobs. A beloved father, son, brother, and husband, Gord died suddenly at home on Sunday, August 9th. Gord is survived by his wife Joan Jacobs as well as his sons Barry (Cathy), Jason (Kim), Michael (Pamela) and David (Jennifer), along with eleven treasured grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, East Stake Centre, 4105 Forestry Avenue, Lethbridge. Friends may meet the family on Saturday, August 15th from 10:00 to 10:45 am, including a reception line. A closed Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am. Seating is limited to family, with limited extra seating available until we reach the seating capacity. A reminder that all who attend will need to wear a mask and observe social distancing.

To join us for LIVESTREAMING of the service, visit Christensen Salmon Generations at http://www.generationsfh.ca. Simply click on the obituary for Gordon Jacobs, then onto the link provided at the bottom.

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

Roy Macdonald

1950 – 2020

Mr. Roy Macdonald of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Echo Macdonald, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, August 10, 2020 at the age of 69 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

Richard Malitowski

1954 – 2020

Richard Antoni Malitowski passed away peacefully on August 4, 2020, at the age of 65, with the love of his family surrounding him.

A Celebration of Richards’s life will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, August 14, 2020, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street, Lethbridge, AB. Due to the restrictions in place from the Chief Medical Officer of Health – Funeral Services are now limited to 100 attendees. Including family and Funeral Home Staff. If you’d like to attend, you may RSVP to Chris Malitowski at 403-968-2155 or cmalitow@hotmail.com.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish memorial donations in memory of Richard can be made to Diabetes Canada, 6223 2 St SE #220, Calgary, AB T2H 1J5.

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

PROCEE

RYLAN DAVID PROCEE, of Taber, passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at the age of 24 years.

He is survived by his loving father, Dave (Loretta Seppola) Procee of Coaldale; his brother, Jerred (Nicole) Procee and their children, Allison, Chloe, Eva and Oliver; his sister, Bryce (Ashton) Wikkerink and their children, Brynnley and Brooklynn, as well as a large family who loved him deeply.

He was predeceased by his mother, Audrey Procee, in 2015.

Rylan found joy in being with those he loved. He could frequently be found spending time with his friends and family when he wasn’t working on the feedlot. He loved to make others laugh and was always showing off the funny videos he’d find online. He was a fun-loving and caring brother and son. When he became an uncle, he greeted his new role with tremendous pride and enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephew.

A Meet-the-Family will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 St. S, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, August 14, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

SHADE

Shade, Ervin Austin Noel

December 04, 1936 – August 05, 2020

Ervin (Kainaikowan – Man of the Many Leaders) was born on December 4, 1936, and passed away on August 5, 2020 in Cardston, AB at the age of 83. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Christine and his daughters; Trina (Buck Shot), Corrine (David), and Candace (Ivan), and son Shawn Shade. He leaves to mourn his passing 17 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; sisters – Alvine Beebe, Harriet (Leroy Heavy Runner), Colleen Crow Child, Patti (Evans Day Chief), his brothers – Barry (Ronni), Don (Marie), Hank (Evelyn), and numerous nieces and nephews. His special aunties Flora Zaharia, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Agnes (Steve) Valerio, Denver, Colorado. Extended family – adopted sons: Todd, JJ, Willie, Kevin, and Tyson Shade (deceased), Doug Singer, James McNeely, Scott Fox, Billy Wadsworth, and Nick Many Fingers. Adopted daughters: Tracy Eagle Bear, Lee Rae Heavy Runner, and Renita Russell; adopted grandson Kayson McNeely and adopted granddaughter Elissa Heavy Runner. His adopted brothers: Phillip Wolf Child, Jim SWAG, Harrison Wolf Child, Jerry Potts, and Charlie Fox.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Agnes Shade, father and mother-in-law, Bill Sr. and Mariam (Crying Head) Heavy Runner, daughter Marilyn, son Austin, nephews Steven Heavy Runner, Tyson Shade, and Darby Shade, stepsons John and Fredrick Heavy Runner and several Aunts and Uncles.

He was the first child of Harry and Agnes Shade. When Alvine was born in 1939, Ervin was taken by his great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Night Gun. They raised him in the Native traditional way where he learned all the Native traditional and cultural values. Kainaikowan attended the St Paul’s residential school then went to the Lee Creek Elementary School in Cardston. Due to a rodeo accident, he was unable to finish his elementary education.

At a young age, he started helping his dad with the family farming and ranching operation. Having several horses on the ranch, he along with his dad and brother Barry formed the Shade & Sons Rodeo and Cattle Company. In 1974 they were one of a handful of ranchers who got selected from Canada to import an exotic cattle breed from Europe. They raised Maine Anjou cattle on their ranch for several years. He irrigated 200 acres of alfalfa along the Bullhorn coulee.

Kainaikowan was actively involved in the sport of rodeo from the 1950’s to the 1990’s as a contestant and rodeo stock contractor. In 1968 he was one of the founding members of the Chinook Rodeo Association. In 1977 the Shade & Sons Rodeo Company produced a weeklong demonstration rodeo in the Calgary Stampede Midway for the fair goers to get a close-up view of rodeo action. One of his top bucking horses, Caravan, won the world title, Champion Bare Back Horse at the 1977 World Indian National Finals Rodeo in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1979 they were one of the main rodeo stock contractors at the Calgary Stampede. Then in 1982, the Shade Rodeo Company was invited to produce some rodeos in China, but they turned the offer down after consulting with Harry Vold, a top professional rodeo stock contractor. The Shade Rodeo Company brought horses to the first 13 Indian National Finals Rodeos in Salt Lake City, Utah and Albuquerque, New Mexico. After his retirement from rodeo stock contracting, he raised some of the top bucking horses for various rodeo stock contractors in Canada. His adopted sons – Shawn, Todd, JJ, Willie, Kevin, and the late Tyson were the wranglers who took care of his horses and other manual labor on his ranch, they also assisted him with his ceremonial work. Many of his horses have been featured at the Calgary Stampede, the Canadian Professional Rodeo Finals, the Indian National Finals Rodeo, and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The lazy B over 02 brand will be seen on bucking horses in Western Canada for many years down the road.

After his retirement from the rodeo world, he continued in his traditional lifestyle where he became a respected Elder. He was a member of the Horn Society for 5 years and the holder of the Horse Pipe Bundle for 7 years. Kainaikowan was involved with the youth on the Reserve first as an equipment manager for the Kainai Chiefs hockey club then went on to the Blood Tribe Horse Riding Therapeutic Program for 20 years; he brought his saddle horses to the various communities on the Reserve for the youth to ride. He counselled and taught them about their Native history, traditions and culture.

Kanaikowan spent most of his days enjoying his family, going to ceremonies, and calling friends and family on the phone. He loved gathering the family for BBQ’s where he would put in a special request for his T-bone steak to be “well done but still juicy”. He had a very special love for this grandchildren and great grandchildren, he would do anything for them. They were truly the light of his life.

His love for Christine was very special, always making sure she had the best of care and that her daily needs were met. He and Christine built an amazing home for their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and adopted children. He was the perfect role model for a husband/father/grandfather. Kainaikowan and Christine lived a life we all try to emulate. Together they travelled the rodeo trail. Sometimes he would be hauling the rough stock to a rodeo, while Christine hauled the camper and trailer and the girls to another rodeo, where they were participating.

He was a very generous man; always dedicated to the Society Members and assisted them wherever he could. This is a legacy he left and will carry on. He was a man known for his honesty, integrity, hard work ethics, and always keeping his word. He was an endless source of knowledge and loved to give history lessons about the Kainai culture. He had an extensive knowledge and understanding of horses which he passed on to his children. When he left us, his family lost their rock, the Crop Eared Wolfs and Shades lost their patriarch and the Sandhills gained a warrior.

A Wake Service will be held at Ervin and Christine’s residence on Wednesday, August 12 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will continue at the Shade residence on Thursday, August 13 at 12:00 pm. Interment will take place in the Shade Cemetery, Blood Reserve, AB.

To send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

THOMAS

It is with great sadness we announce that MRS. SHARON THOMAS of Lethbridge, beloved wife of William (Bill) Thomas, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, August 9, 2020, after a long and lengthy battle with Cancer. She was 76 years old.

Besides her loving husband, Sharon is survived by her children: daughter Judy (Allan) Gepneris and their children Christopher (Sabrina) Gepneris and Stacy Gepneris; son Craig (Cathy) Sera; step-children Blayne Thomas, Jill (Bruce) Cassidy and their children Brennan (Adrianna) Cassidy and Sarah (Peter) Cassidy; sister Gwen (Don) Ferenz, niece Kelly, and nephew Greg. Sharon was also great-grandmother to Blaise Outram, daughter of Stacy Gepneris.

Sharon was born June 15, 1944 in Lethbridge to parents Wilfred & Ivy (Payne) Russell.

Our dear wife, mother, step-mother, and grandmother “Nanny” will forever be loved, missed and cherished in our hearts and memories. We will honour her devotion, love, and dedication to our entire family. The void we feel will never be filled. We are grateful she is at peace and will instill her infinite love in our lives forever.

At Sharon’s request, there will be no funeral service. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Elske Van Essen

1925 – 2020

It is with sorrow we announce the passing away of our dearly beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother Elske Van Essen of Picture Butte, on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the age of 94 years.

A Private family service will be held at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at the NETHERLANDS REFORMED CHURCH OF PICTURE BUTTE, 601-3A Street, Picture Butte, Alberta. A private family interment will follow in the Memorial Cemetery in Picture Butte, Reverend E.C. Adams officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Bethesda Care Home (Box 1096, Picture Butte, AB T0K 1V0).

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

VAN RYN

It is with profound sadness that the family of NITA JOAN VAN RYN announces her passing on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the age of 83 years.

She leaves to mourn her family: son, Ronnie (John Alcorn) Burkett; son, Ron (Teresa) Van Ryn and their children, Ashley (Patrick) and Thomas (Preston); son, Lucky (Patsy) Van Ryn, their daughter, Melissa (Taylor) and their children Hadley, Brynlee and soon-to-be born Deklen; daughter, Connie Smith, and her sons Aaron (Emily) and Austin; and daughter, Sandy (Louie) Fazekas, their daughter, Alex (Dustin) and their children Olivia and Brooklyn, and their daughter, Josey (Andrew).

Mom was beaten to the Pearly Gates by her parents, her favourite older brother, Oren, and many other family members and friends.

Nita Joan Van Ryn was born on October 19, 1936 in Mountain View, AB to loving parents, Ivan & Clara Beane. She was the first little sister to Oren and Kay, and fierce big sister to Sandy and Laurie. They lived on the beautiful Birdseye Ranch just outside of Waterton Lake Park. She got her schooling in the area and her first job was at Temple City Pharmacy in Cardston. She would later work at Waterton Lakes Hotel at the front desk, where she also happened to meet Tom. The couple was married on December 13, 1958 and lived in Fort Macleod, then on the Harsany Ranch west of Granum, and finally settling in Lethbridge. They bought their first house in 1965 by St. Basil’s School and the family lived there until 1975, at which point they purchased a larger home.

She worked hard all of her life, from Thriftway Drugs in the evenings to Save On Foods where she eventually retired from. But even then she worked in the kitchen at Perlich Auction for many years. She was proud and fiercely independent, choosing to stand alone and do it her way.

She loved the outdoors, camp fires, a good game of Yahtzee, and a cold beer with family or friends. She loved all of her grand children, but especially loved doting on her great-granddaughters in her later years and enjoyed their antics. She had a great sense of humour and her witty remarks on any subject will be missed. She won’t miss having her knees being teased or tickled. She loved sewing when she was younger and the girls often had matching outfits made from scratch and from the heart. She also taught her boys how to cook basic foods because she was an early feminist we believe. She left a mark on many people in the world, and so many have commented that her smile and spirit could light up a room. Her doctor’s were impressed with her resilience and resolve at how she chose to fight her battle with quiet dignity. Our “Scottish Thistle” was a warrior right to the end. Like so many of her generation, she was teaching us a lesson right up to the end…

The family would like to extend a huge thank-you to Sharon and the staff at Cedar Creek Adaptacare Lodge for the exceptional care they offered to Mom.

A Celebration of Nita’s Life will be held outdoors and announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nita’s name to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre (c/o Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 – 19 St. S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 1W5).

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

Duane Wintemute

1968 – 2020

  Mr. Duane Wintemute of Lethbridge, loving father to Shae & Blayne Wintemute, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, August 10, 2020 at the age of 51 years.

  Duane is survived by his mother Marion Harker; sister Tina (Chris) Hernandez; grand-daughter Emryss Lasha; nephew Alex Hernandez; niece Cassi (Dylan) Randall and grand-nephew Oliver Randall.

   Duane was pre-deceased by his father Wayne Wintemute.

  Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

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

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