WEDNESDAY, August 26, 2020

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on August 26, 2020.

GROSS

EMMA GROSS of the Greenwood Colony, Fort Macleod, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Sunday, August 23, 2020, at the age of 72 years, after a brief illness.

She was predeceased by her husband Chris, and is survived by their daughter Lillian Gross.

She actively contributed to the colony in many capacities including 25 years as head cook. She worked tirelessly for the colony’s best interest as long as her health permitted her to do so.

The Funeral Service was held at the Greenwood Colony on Tuesday, August 25th at 11:30 A.M.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MERRILL

MILTON MARK MERRILL, beloved husband of the late Rachael Lenz Merrill of Hill Spring, passed away on Sunday, August 23rd, 2020 at the age of 86 years.

Mark is the last of 9 siblings and survived by his children, Mitch (Karen) Merrill, Deanne (Dave) Schaffer, Suzanne (Dave) Stepan, Lisa (Lanark) Duce, Wes (Wendy) Merrill, 20 grandchildren & 21 great grandchildren.

He was known as the strong silent type – a gentle cowboy. His priorities were family – cattle – horses and sports. He was known as dead eye for his prowess of shooting a basketball – so talented athletically. Mark loved to compete, loved his teammates, loved to travel with them and the hamburgers and milkshakes after the game. He was also a pioneer in developing Black Angus cattle in the area. Most important he loved his family. He was the best – DAD- Grandpa – husband – friend – to us all. Not a day will go by that we won’t miss our DAD.

Friends may meet the family at Legacy Funeral Home on Thursday, August 27th, from 7:00-8:00 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Oyster Shell Swim Hole – on the Belly River, Hill Spring, Alberta on Friday, August 28th, at 11:00 am., with Bishop Jim Woolf officiating. Those who wish to attend are welcome – Social distancing.

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

Margarete Moch

1929 – 2020

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mom and Oma, Margarete Moch, on Sunday, August 16, 2020 at the age of 91 years at Chinook Regional Hospital with family by her side.

Mom was born July 7, 1929 to Werner and Herta Seidel in Sirgwitz, Germany, the oldest of 7 children. She married the love of her life, Gerhard Paul Moch, in Germany on February 18, 1949. Mom was fondly referred to friends and family as “Oma”. Mom and Dad were blessed with two children while they lived and Germany – Hanna and Peter. They immigrated to Canada in 1954, residing in the Town of Coaldale. They were once again blessed with three further children who were born in Coaldale – Helen, Harry and Marianne (May). They moved to a farm in the Monarch area in 1962 and were blessed with two additional children who were born in Lethbridge – Debbie and Robert. In 1976 they moved to Lethbridge living at 1517 St. Edwards Boulevard where there were many fun family & friend gatherings. Mom and Dad proudly became Canadian citizens February 24, 1976, although their German heritage was very important to them. In August 2009 Mom and Dad moved to Martha’s House where they lived until their passing. They met many wonderful special friends at Martha’s and so enjoyed their new home with the residents and staff members, whom they’ve known and loved as “family”. It has been so apparent these last few days being at Martha’s the sadness the staff and residents feel at Mom’s passing. This especially showed with Mom’s very dear friend Johanne Verhagen whom she had such wonderful visits with .. they truly had a special bond of friendship.

Amazing, loving, strong, graceful and selfless are the words to describe our mother. To have to write something like this in only a few paragraphs is simply daunting as pages could be filled about a person so wonderful. She was a doting wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law & aunt – her love was endless. Mom was always engaged in the lives of her family and taught us the importance of love and family. She accepted and praised our individuality. Her talents were infinite – she had a creative side to her in which we all proudly displayed in our homes. She had the incredible ability to knit, sew and craft anything effortlessly with beauty and love. Who wouldn’t want her knitted slippers or chair booties .. they were indeed a treasure. If Mom heard that someone was having a baby, she immediately started knitting the most gorgeous little sweater & pants & toque. Over the years many of her grandchildren proudly wore dance, scout and Halloween costumes created by her, many of which have been passed down through so many children who adored her.

Mom and Dad had a long and blessed life together, camping with their kids and friends being a favourite. Having a smokie or roasted marshmallow would light up mom’s eyes and the grandkids fought to see who could make her the best one. Mom and Dad relished in family gatherings .. they and took such pride having their family and friends together. These times will always hold immense treasured memories for us all. Mom made an impact on all those that met this dear soul .. if you met her, you loved her .. she was a beautiful woman inside and out. Daneel would often say that she felt sad for people who didn’t have the fortune to have a grandmother like her. There are no words to describe the loss, only comfort knowing that we will be together one day.

The night of her passing her granddaughter Heidee had noticed the sunset. The sky was painted a beautiful shade of pink. This pink was a sign from Oma’s great-granddaughter Christina sending love and we all believe that Christina was saying that she had taken Oma by the hand to lead her to her new beautiful home.

Mom loved watching Lawrence Welk, Days of our Lives and Dr. Phil. She loved playing nickel bingo on Tuesdays and our dear friend Deb Stoltenberg joined her the last time all the family went on vacation. It was rare to see her without a blue halls in her hand. If mashed potatoes were on the menu at Martha’s she was ecstatic. How she loved her liver sausage and rye bread. She so loved the Ice cream socials at Marthas that were held monthly. Her grandson Darcy never missed being at one .. May, Helen, Gerry, Colleen, Maggie, Dave, Heidee, Shayla and Hayden so loved joining her. Mom’s motto was that the more the merrier at ice-cream social and she was so proud of those that joined her at this special event that she so looked forward to. Mom so enjoyed when her great-grandchildren, Ethan & Evan & Shayla & Hayden sang at Martha’s with the school. She was so proud of them and they took the time to give her big hugs. We only just discovered in cleaning out her home that she collected swans and it made us smile as to how many were in her possession.

Mom, being the big sis, was admired and loved by her brothers and sister – Charlotte (Lottie) Lukevich, Heinz (Hannah) Seidel, Horst Seidel and Klaus (Peggy) Seidel. They all loved to celebrate each birthday with mom and it truly made her feel so special. Tante Lotte has tearfully told us that she will so miss her phone chats with Mom .. she loved her with all her heart.

Left with her memory are her two son-in-laws and six children: Danny Byrne, Don (daughter Hanna deceased) Cox of Lethbridge, Peter (Linda) Moch of Lethbridge, Helen (son-in-law Joe deceased) Meszaros of Lethbridge, Harry (Sue) Moch of Calgary, May (son-in-law Greg deceased) Olshaski of Lethbridge, Debbie Byrne of Calgary and Rob Moch of Kelowna. The grandchildren left to mourn their Oma are: Char (Tom) Kurucz, Quinton Cox, Trisha D’Agnone, Breanne Cox (Jeremy), Troy Moch, Nicole (James) Carefoot, Jodi (Brent) Merriman, Heidee Meszaros & Dave Creek, Chad (Kate) Eggebrecht, Jennifer Steeves, Ryan Olshaski (Chantal), Darcy Olshaski (Maggie), Jessica Byrne, Daneel Byrne (Dylan), Ashley Moch and Abby Lundberg as well as her great-grandchildren Mitch Kurucz, Kingston D’Agnone, Dylan Krampl, Leah Moch, Tyler Moch, Jackson Carefoot, Noel (Blair) Stolz, Ashlyn (Robbie) Gunderson, Ethan Merriman, Evan Merriman, Shayla Walshe, Hayden Walshe, Joey Walshe, Owen Eggebrecht, Ava Eggebrecht, Jillian Hall, Tessa Tenove as well as her great-great-grandchildren Jazzy Moch, Morgan Stolz and Avery Stolz.

Mom was predeceased by her husband Gerhard Moch, her daughter Hanna Cox, her parents Werner & Herta Seidel, her in-laws Paul & Elly Moch, her brother Karl Seidel, her infant sister Monica Seidel, her sister-in-laws Sophie Moch & Sharron Seidel & Emmy Seidel, her brother-in-laws Herb Moch & Heinz Moch & Al Lukevich, her son-in-laws Joe Meszaros & Greg Olshaski, her grandson Duane Moch and her great-granddaughter Christina Walshe. Mom has now joined her two very dear special friends from Martha’s, Yvonne Klinkhammer and Ivanka Dimnik, whom she so missed after their passing.

A big heartfelt thank you to her dear friends Colleen & Gerry Klinkhammer, Kim & Jim Pearce, Deb Stoltenberg & Erwin Mokosch and Ron Erais & Kris Wolosiak. Your numerous calls & visits, making her feel so special at Little Bow campouts, making her feel special on her birthday & Christmas with your delightful gifts & calls, your visits during her hospital stays, at times helping us out with her appointments when we were unable to take her .. your love & concern for her has touched our hearts. She loved you all as if you were her own and we know that she was like a second mom to you.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Akinsipe, Dr. Walton and Dr. Weston plus all the wonderful nurses on the third floor for the amazing care they provided. We could tell this sweet lady held a special place in your hearts and the kindness you showed to her family was so appreciated at such a difficult time.

The family as well wish to thank Lisa at Martin Bros for your strength, guidance, friendship and love in assisting with the appropriate arrangements, as well as all of the wonderful staff at Martin Bros.

Mom “Oma” will be so sadly missed and so lovingly remembered by all her family and friends. We love you so much our beautiful sweet Mom “Oma” and there are no words to describe how much we will miss you. It was so difficult watching you in so much pain and yet again you showed your strength & courage, your unselfish demeanor. We will miss your smile and cheerfulness, your love and your guidance. Our beautiful memories of you will remain deep in our hearts forever and our tears will remind us of our special love for you.

One of mom’s last words to the family was to make sure we are there for each other. We will absolutely honour this wish mom .. we will stay united and we have felt the love and support by one another since your passing. Our hearts are heavy and the tears constantly flow.

Anyone to have known this “saint” of a lady is truly blessed. Anyone that met Mom was immediately drawn to this gentle soul, a woman of true grace and beauty.

We love you Mom .. and we thank you for all that you were .. and for the love and the memories that you left with us.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mom’s name to The Heart and Stroke Foundation.

In keeping with mom’s wishes, she will be privately remembered by her family and friends.

A mandatory face – covering and masking bylaw is now in effect in all public areas within the city of Lethbridge. Martin Brothers Funeral Chapel ask that you please wear a mask at all indoor funerals.

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

OKA

JAMES HAJIME OKA, of Lethbridge, passed away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the age of 88 years.

James was born on August 18, 1932 in Port Haney, British Columbia and was the only child of Yatsuko and Sozaburo Oka. In 1942, his family was relocated to the Village of Stirling. He grew up with his cousins and their families – Keiko [deceased] (Aki) [deceased]; Yoriko (Kaz); Miki (Cecil); Lillian [deceased] (Gordon); Peter; Ken (Betty); Kathleen (Ralph) and Bruce, and their families. He is also survived by a special niece Leslee (Craig) as well as a large extended family and a special friend, Barbara.

After high school, Jim attended SAIT in Calgary, taking Industrial Electricity, becoming a journeyman electrician.

Jim was an active member of the Anglican Church of Ascension in Coaldale. He had a strong faith. The church provided spiritual comfort and fellowship and the congregation became part of his family.

One of Jim’s passions was inventing/creating more efficient ways of completing tasks. He purchased his first computer, a Tandy, from Radio Shack and became a lifelong learner. He was an active member of the Chinook Computer Club.

Jim had an affinity and talent for numbers and meticulously tracked the stock market. At the age of 80, he discovered travelling and took many cruises and excursions. He loved all sports, especially baseball and hockey. Tuesdays were coffee with the gang at Tim Horton’s. It was a good life. He will be missed.

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed under James’ obituary on the Cornerstone website.

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

Kiyoko Shimozawa

1941 – 2020

Mrs. Kiyoko Shimozawa of Taber, beloved wife of Mr. Hisashi “Slim” Shimozawa, and mother to Trent (Merina) and Lisa, passed away peacefully and comfortably at Taber Continuing Care on Monday, August 24, 2020 at the age of 78 years.

Funeral arrangement to be announced when completed.

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

YOUNG PINE

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of RAYNARD YOUNG PINE, who passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, August 21, 2020, at Cardston Health Centre at the age of 66 years.

A Wake will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@corner stonefh.ca. The capacity will be limited to 90 guests. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry for both services.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

JOHN VONKEMAN
1941 ~ 2020

Mr. John Vonkeman, beloved husband of Mrs. Jaapje “Jo” Vonkeman, passed away at home on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at the age of 78 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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