By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on October 9, 2020.
Chester Coolen
1932 – 2020
Mr. Chester Rudolph Coolen of Coaldale, beloved husband of Mrs. Elsie Coolen, passed away in Langley, BC on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at the age of 88 years.
Due to the recent restrictions surrounding COVID-19, a private family service will be held. The family invites you to watch the service via livestream on the Martin Brothers website at 10:00am, on Friday, October 9, 2020.
Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in memory of Chester Coolen to the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation, 119 14 St NW #100, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6, or the Alzheimer Society, 1202 2 Ave S #40, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0E3.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
FLETCHER
Selina Fletcher, beloved wife of Richard Fletcher, passed away suddenly on Friday, October 2, 2020 at the age of 36 years.
Besides her husband, Selina is survived by her parents, brothers, grandparents, mother-in-law, two brothers-in-law and two nephews.
Selina was born in 1984 and grew up in a little village in Switzerland.
In her late teens, the family immigrated to Alberta and moved to an acreage in the Olds area, where she completed her High School and finally ended up settling in Lethbridge in 2012.
Selina was always full of hope and plans for the future and shared her faith with others, but God had a different plan for Selina by calling her home. She is with Jesus, at her forever home at a perfect place in heaven.
A Graveside Service will be held in the Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge on Friday, October 9, 2020.
Rejoice because your names are written in Heaven. Luke 10:20
To send condolences please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca.
GROSS
Donald Wayne Gross, beloved husband of Rita, was born in Taber on September 10, 1950 to Philip and Dorothy Gross. He passed away suddenly on October 4, 2020.
Don started his career with Alberta Agriculture in 1969 as a surveyor. He then went on to drafting and was promoted to Irrigation Technologist where he monitored irrigation rehabilitation and construction of new projects. There were many changes in his work over the next 46 years. He was a hard worker and had a great rapport with the managers of the irrigation districts and he was willing to take on any task that was given him. In the later years of his career he expanded the water quality program. He was very proud of his accomplishments. He had a well-rounded life and in his spare time he involved himself in various sports.
Don was a great believer of Family History and arranged several family reunions and enjoyed them for many years.
Don’s family was very proud of him and he was dearly loved. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita; his daughters, Kristina and Sandi (Steve); two grandchildren, Samantha and Ryan; his sister, Mona Ottenbreit (Jim); his sister, Darla Felske (Brent) and a brother, Darren Gross.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Philip and Dorothy Gross; a niece, Shelly Pauletto; a niece, Kassia Weiss; a brother-in-law, Karl Weiss; a sister-in-law, Ingrid Weiss and his in-laws, Alfred and Anna Weiss.
Cremation has been entrusted to Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date.
To send condolences please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca.
Albert “Al” Daniel Laplante
1938 – 2020
Albert (Al) Daniel Laplante of Lethbridge, Alberta died on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the age of 82. Al passed away peacefully with his sons and daughter by his side after one week in hospital following a severe stroke.
One of eight children, Al was born in Vimy, Alberta on October 1, 1938 to parents Emile and Therese Laplante.
Al is survived by his four children Dan (Karen), Carmen, Dave (Dusty) and Al Laplante; grandchildren Cadence, Claire and Sam, Brett, Luc, Jamin, Jesse and Rylan Laplante; sisters Alice Ranks and Rita Frost and brother Joseph Laplante. All held him in the highest regard and loved him dearly.
Al is also survived by his first wife Patricia Laplante of Calgary; dear friend Annabelle Herle of Lethbridge and predeceased by his second wife Pat Laplante of Lethbridge.
Al earned an undergraduate and a Master’s degree from the University of Alberta’s Civil Engineering program. His career included both private and public sector work, culminating in the position of founding Chairman of the Civil Engineering Technology program at Lethbridge Community College. Upon retirement he established the Al Laplante Scholarship for Civil Engineering Technology Students which has benefitted many students to date.
A skilled and passionate hockey player, Al had an illustrious career on the ice as well. He was a top scoring player for the U of A Golden Bears, the Edmonton Oil Kings, and the Lacombe Rockets. He played against the Russians in a European tour with the Rockets and turned down an offer to join to the Detroit Red Wings organization in favour of returning to university to complete his Master’s degree.
If asked, Al would say his greatest accomplishments were not his engineering career or his hockey legacy but being a father and grandfather. He always showed keen interest and pride in all his children and grandchildren’s accomplishments and never tired of bragging about them.
In retirement Al was an active and proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council #5726 and he enjoyed golf, playing competitive bridge, and travelling to warmer climes to get out of Canadian winters.
The world has lost an ever optimistic, cheerful, generous spirit.
Due to Covid restrictions, a private family funeral service will be held for Al at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, with Father Kevin Tumback, officiating. Al’s family invite you to please watch the service via livestream at the Martin Brothers website under Al’s obituary. Inurnment will take place in the Mountain View Cemetery.
The family would like to suggest that anyone wishing to honor our Father’s lifelong commitment to family and community consider donating to the Al Laplante Scholarship for Civil Engineering at Lethbridge College. Please send donations to the Development Office, Lethbridge College, 3000 College Drive S, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1K 1L6 or on-line at http://www.lethbridgecollege.ca/give
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
MACLEAN
MARIE LILLIAN MACLEAN, the beloved wife of the late William Donald “Don” Maclean, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at home, on October 6, 2020 at the age of 87 years.
She is lovingly remembered by her children; Rick (Vanessa) Maclean and their children, Patrick (Staci), Sean (Katie) and Brendan (Haylee); Michele (Bob) Jackson and their children, Ashley and Travis (Alison) Coe; Judy Maclean; Sandy (Walter Portillo-Menjivar) Maclean and their children, Cody Hartwick (Mari) and Alex Portillo-Menjivar; great-granddaughter, Sadie Coe; sister Joyce Scott and sister-in-law, Jenny Wilde as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, Marie was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Mabel Wilde, mother-in-law, Eva Maclean, brothers, Stanley (Eileen), Charlie, Nelson, Doug (Shirley) Harold (Rosemarie) and Vernon “Chris” Wilde as well as sister, Edna (Bob Bryden), and brother-in-law, Keith Scott.
Marie was born on November 9, 1932 in Richmound, SK. She pursued a career in nursing, graduating from the Calgary General Hospital School of Nursing then working for many years at the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital.
Marie loved nothing more than family gatherings and reunions. Her family was always her priority. She was a caregiver her entire life and provided meals and care to so many. If acts of kindness and compassion were jewels in a crown, hers is surely full.
Forever In Our Hearts
In memory of Marie, please consider a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Unit 522, 1300 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5G 2R5.
A Memorial Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Terry Shillington officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca. Seating will be limited to 90 guests. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
RODZINYAK
MONICA HELEN RODZINYAK, of Lethbridge, passed away at the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 after a brief battle with illness.
Funeral arrangements to follow.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
WEISTRA
HARM “HARRY” K. WEISTRA, beloved partner of Linda Couchman of Barons, passed away at the Claresholm Health Centre, on August 27, 2020 at the age of 66 years.
Besides his loving partner Linda, Harry is survived by his children James (Angelica) Zucchiatti of Barons and Megan Weistra of Fort Saskatchewan, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was also survived by his siblings: Ed (Vilma) Weistra, Cory (Jessie) Kurtz and Rob (Cindi) Weistra.
Harry was a mechanic and fisherman extrordinaire.
Relatives and friends are invited to the meet with the family at ELINOR CEMETERY (travel 5 kms north of Barons on hwy 23, then turn west on hwy 520 for 8 kms. Turn north on RR 24-4 for 0.8 kms) on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 1:30 P.M. with Pastor Harold Cooper officiating.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
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