By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 29, 2021.
BLOOD
WAYLON BLOOD, of the Blood Tribe, passed away in Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the age of 52 years.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Dan Kees officiating. The service will be live streamed and may be accessed via Waylon’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Margaret Laura Duff (Hicks)
1938 – 2021
It is with heavy heart and deep sadness the family announces the sudden passing of our dear wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma Marg Duff at the age of 83 years, on Monday, January 25, 2021 at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, AB.
Marg came into the world on January 4, 1938, to George and Winifred (McKinley) Hicks in Vancouver, BC. She grew up in Namu, a small fishing port and former cannery town on the coast of British Columbia. Marg was the oldest child of five, with two brothers George (Dee) Hicks and Dave (Terry) Hicks, and two sisters Sharon (William) Woron and Colleen (Rick) Ward.
Marg attended John Oliver High school in Vancouver, BC when she met the love of her life, John Charles Duff, her high school sweetheart from a rival high school. They were married on September 10, 1960 and enjoyed over 60 years of marriage. Marg and John had two children: Keith and Laura. Marg is predeceased by her parents.
Marg co-owned Duff Insurance with her husband John in Lethbridge for 15 years then enjoyed 26 years of Retirement. An avid golfer, she especially enjoyed being a ‘Snowbird’ wintering at their condo on the golf course in Yuma, Arizona.
Over the years, Marg also enjoyed bowling, walking and playing card games and socializing with friends. Marg’s greatest joy was her family! She loved to support each and every one of their activities & was always volunteering at their events. Marg was our family’s biggest cheerleader. She loved to bring them together with her wonderful dinners and baking. She will be fondly remembered for her brownies, and especially her peanut butter cookies!
Marg will be dearly missed and forever loved by her husband John Duff; her two children Keith Duff and wife Jeannie of Lethbridge, AB; Laura (Duff) and husband Glenn Hermann of Chestermere, AB. She will be sadly missed by her two grandchildren Lindsey (Duff) and husband Blake Corey; and Carson Duff; her two great-grandchildren Hayden and Jackson Corey; her brothers and sisters; her numerous nephews and their families.
Marg was a very kind, selfless and generous woman who always had a smile and a hello for everyone. She will be missed by her many life-long friends and all who knew her.
Due to Covid-19, a celebration of Marg’s life will be held at a future date when we can safely gather.
In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be made to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation.
The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to the Physicians and all the staff, especially the nursing staff on Unit 4B; at the Chinook Regional Hospital for all your kindness and compassion during our most difficult time.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
GOOD RIDER
APRILEE GOOD RIDER “Ni’táíhpiyaakiiwa” with sorrow in our hearts Dewayne Calling Last and family announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandma, and great grandma, Aprilee Good Rider (Calling Last) in the Cardston Hospital on Monday, January 25, 2021. A Viewing will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Monday, February 1, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 am with a Family Service to follow at 11:00 am. (Due to COVID-19 – Limited people will be allowed in the building at a time.) Interment to follow at Eagle Tailfeathers family Cemetery.
To send a condolence or Watch the Funeral please visit
http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.
Bill Goruk
1949 – 2021
Mr. William “Bill” Goruk of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Linda Goruk, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday January 25, 2021 at the age of 71 years.
Bill was born in Taber, Alberta on August 22, 1949. After childhood Bill moved to Lethbridge where he spent over 25 years working for Dairyland (Alpha) Milk. Bill spent the second half of his career working for Sunnyrose Cheese in Diamond City. During his retirement Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing, walking, and sharing coffee with friends. Bill also loved visiting and spoiling his children Christopher (Carly) Goruk, Gina (Brian) Nelis, and his 3 grandchildren Logan, Lindon, and Adalynn.
Bill is survived by his five siblings Elaine (Gary) Ash, Karen Taillefer, Doug (Nevis) Goruk, Neil (Della) Goruk, and Denise (Ian) Cole. “Uncle Bill” will also be missed by his in-laws, Steve (Trudy) Wilson, Leona (Lynn) Marthaller, Doris (Rae) Hopkins, David (Cindy) Wilson, Richard (Janet) Wilson, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by Linda, his wife of 30 years whom passed in 2012, as well as his by his parents Jack and Frances Goruk.
A private family Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, February 1, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream at https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/WilliamBill-Goruk . Please scroll to the bottom of Bill’s obituary to find the link.
A private family Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on February 2, 2021 at ST. MARTHA’S ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH with Father William Monis, celebrant. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream at https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/WilliamBill-Goruk. Please scroll to the bottom of Bill’s obituary to find the link.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers please consider making a blood donation to Canadian Blood Services by calling 1-888-2-DONATE.
Condolences can be sent to livestream at https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/WilliamBill-Goruk. To leave a condolence, please go to the Tribute Wall.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
SEKIYA
In loving memory of Fumiko Sekiya (Koyata), Edmonton, who passed away January 23, 2021 after a short illness. Born May 7, 1923, third of nine children, to Takejiro and Isa (Yamamura) Koyata, Raymond Alberta. Predeceased in 1995 by her husband, Sosuke (John) Sekiya, oldest son of Tashichi and Tatsu (Watanabe) originally from Shigaken Japan. Fumiko is survived by five children, Joanne Dowson (Bill, deceased), Edmonton; Kenichi (Jacky Sims) Vancouver; Naomi Rattai, Napa California; David, Edmonton and Sonny, Lethbridge. Also three grandchildren, Aaron Dowson (Sherry Hunt); Sarah Isa Dowson, (Thomas Motyka) and Yukio Rattai plus five great grandchildren, William and James Dowson, and Annabelle Fumiko, Matthew and Daniel Motyka. She is predeceased by siblings, Minoru, Shoji, Natsuko Sawada, Hikoza, Mae Sasaki and Toshiko Tanaka; survived by siblings, Takeshi and Isamu Koyata and many nieces and nephews. She married in 1946 and with dad farmed in Raymond and Taber; moved to Lethbridge in 1964. She worked at Green Acres Lodge until her retirement. Mom loved gardening and travelling to California, New Mexico, Nevada, and British Columbia to visit her children. Also overseas to Hawaii, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. Mom was a gentle soul, generous with her time and love for her family. Aaron and Sherry added, “nobody liked to laugh as much as her and her quick wit and great sense of humour always kept us smiling.” Ken and Jacky remembered her love of animals and warm heart. Everyone remembers mom’s botamochi she made for special occasions. We appreciated bedside prayer conducted remotely by Izumi Sensei. Due to COVID 19 restrictions we hope to have a celebration of life for mom in Lethbridge at a later date.
Henrietta Nieboer
1921 – 2021
Mrs. Henrietta Nieboer of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. William Nieboer, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Good Samaritan Society Park Meadows Village on Monday, January 25, 2021, at the grand old age of 99 years.
Henrietta was born October 2, 1921, to Cornelis and Willemina Withage. She was raised on a farm south of Nobleford with her older brother John. She attended Noble Central School and dreamed of becoming a nurse at a time when women working outside the home was not generally accepted. With her parents’ support and encouragement, she enrolled in the Galt School of Nursing, graduating in 1944 and nursing in clinics in Raymond and Lethbridge, and at the Galt.
In 1947, she married Bill Nieboer and they farmed near Nobleford until moving to Lethbridge in 1960. They were blessed with four daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Thirty-one years of happy marriage came to an end when Bill passed away on January 7, 1979. Henrietta had returned to nursing at the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital in 1961 and continued in her beloved profession until retirement in 1986. By then she had earned the respect and gratitude of many patients and families whose lives she had touched with her proficient and compassionate care, as well as those who were privileged to work with and learn from her. Celebrating her 75th Galt class anniversary on June 1, 2019, with so many alumni friends was a cherished memory.
Henrietta was an exuberant Christian and active member of Trinity United Reformed Church, faithfully attending weekly services in person until recently, and then online. Throughout nearly a century of life’s challenges and triumphs, 42 years of widowhood, and many joys and sorrows, never did she know a single day without the loving care of her faithful Saviour. Right to the end she readily shared and lived her faith. Her family was instilled with the principles of loving God and your neighbour, diligence, integrity, kindness, and generosity. Daily scripture reading and prayer and regular formal worship was taught and practiced in our home. Visitors received a warm welcome and a radiant smile, and when someone needed help, there she was. “Give unto others” was not just a motto but a mandate.
Special holidays and family events were always huge, and her delicious feasts served on immaculate linen, gleaming silverware, china, and crystal are still legendary. Each family received a big box of Christmas cookies and homemade raisin bread. As the families grew and spread out, those cookies were carefully packed and shipped around the world ahead of the postal rush, arriving fresh and intact. Henrietta was a list person. NASA could take tips from her meticulous planning and execution of events. Normally shunning the spotlight, she surprised family and friends with a detailed three-day celebration of her 80th birthday. It was her day, but as with everything she did, every child, grandchild, great grandchild, and guest felt valued and special. A truly beautiful woman, a wonderful matriarch, a faithful friend. We are ever grateful for her wisdom, strength of faith and character, unfailing love, and all her prayers for us. What a legacy! We will miss her so!
Henrietta always hoped to make it to 100 and get a letter from the Queen! But as her health declined and life became a struggle in recent weeks, she increasingly looked forward to leaving her worn out body behind and going to heaven to live forever with Jesus. What a relief to know that she is now free, praising God in perfect joy and peace.
Besides her husband Bill, Henrietta was predeceased by infant twin sisters (1920); parents (1971, 1977); brother John (1984); sister-in-law Lana (2015), and all of Bill’s family: Harm (Jantina), John (Marie), Anna Vos (Be), Jenne (Minnie, Hilda), Bernard (Mary), Anno (Hilda); as well as two granddaughters, Kathryn Scheurkogel (1980), Leslie DeWeert (2019), and several nieces and nephews.
Surviving are her loving daughters and sons-in-law Phyllis & George Kaiser and children (Steven & Nicole DeWeert, Teresa & Brent Bonter, David DeWeert, Doug & Anne Marie DeWeert); Shirley & Joe Schalk and children (Greg & Feona, Kevin & Nadia, Carolyn & Tony Kalf); Marjorie & Dick Scheurkogel and children (Kenneth, Michael, Jeffrey & Jessica, Allison & Timothy Van der Woerd); and Loretta Kopp and sons (Timothy & William). Cherishing their great grandma’s memory: Devon & Tyrell DeWeert, Derek, Jeremy, Kimberly, & Amber Bonter, Michael & Jayne DeWeert, Jerod & Davis Schalk, Adam & Ryan Schalk, Madeleine & Owen Kalf, Sophia, Noah, Emma, Zachariah, & Arwyn Scheurkogel, and Anna-Belle & Talon Kopp. She will also be fondly remembered by cousin Hilda Withage and family, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A public Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m., to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, please call Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels at 403-328-2361 to ensure an available time slot.
A private family Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, January 29, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream by going to https://www.mbfunerals.com/ and clicking on her obituary, the link will be available at the bottom of the page.
A private Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, January 29, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream by going to https://www.mbfunerals.com/ and clicking on her obituary, the link will be available at the bottom of the page.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
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