TUESDAY, February 2, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on February 2, 2021.

Steven Bari

1966 – 2021

It is with great sadness that we the family of Steven Edward Bari, announce his sudden passing. Steve passed away suddenly surrounded by his loving family on January 28th, 2021, at the age of 54 years.

Steve Bari is survived by his loving mother Irene, his 3 children, Mercedes, Jordan and Austin. Also left to mourn is his sister Klara (Fred) Fomradas and his nephew Nolan.

Steve was a very kind and generous soul who touched many lives and for those that knew him he truly was a gift to be treasured and he will be forever missed.

A private family Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 4, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch Steve’s service via livestream by going to https://www.mbfunerals.com/ obituary/Steven-Bari and scrolling to the bottom of the page. The link will be available at 10:45 am.

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

Joachim “Jo” Blank

1936 – 2021

Mr. Joachim Karl Blank (Jo) of Coaldale, AB passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021 at the age of 84 years, after a brief stay at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. Jo was the steadfastly devoted and loving husband of the late Mrs. Erika Blank (nee. Neufeld).

Jo was born on June 1st, 1936 in Ebenflur, East Prussia, Germany. He was the fourth of six children born to Friedrich and Lina Blank. In January of 1945, the approach of the Soviet army forced his family to flee west. They settled in Edendorf, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany in 1946. He remained there until 1952 when he began an apprenticeship in masonry in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. In 1953, his family immigrated to Canada and came to Central Farm near Coaldale. After several years of oilfield work in northern Alberta, Jo moved back south to farm with his parents in the Coaldale and Barnwell area. They eventually settled in Coaldale; this is where he met Erika. Jo and Erika were married on October 8, 1966 and celebrated 52 years of marriage before her passing in 2019.

Jo began working as a carpenter in 1967 and through most of his working life was self-employed as a general contractor and homebuilder. In the early ‘80s Jo moved the family to an 80-acre parcel of land to farm in his spare time before returning to Coaldale with Erika in 2000, retiring shortly thereafter to live in the last home that he built. Jo was an active and vibrant man: throughout his working and retirement years, he enjoyed volleyball, badminton, cycling, hunting, walking, hiking, woodworking, and gardening, and he was an active volunteer at the Coaldale Mennonite Church to which he and Erika belonged.

Jo is survived by his children: Karl (Ramona) of Lethbridge; Walter (Marcy Fink) of Marietta, Georgia; Anne Edwards (Scott) of Edmonton; Martin (Jean) of Edmonton; and Irene (Geoff Gibson) of Winnipeg. He was Opa to seven grandchildren—Ayrton, Sabrina, Kurt, Jenna, August, Elizabeth, and Louis—who were convinced “Opa kann einfach alles!” and they were not wrong. Jo is also survived by his brothers Hans-Georg (Erika) of Creston, BC and Konrad (Janet) of Auburn, Washington; his sister Erika Krueger (Elmar) of Sandy, Oregon; and his sister-in-law Ella (Reinhold) of Langley, BC. Many nieces and nephews and their families also mourn the loss of their Onkel Jo. In addition to Erika, he was predeceased by his parents, his sister Ursula, and his brother Reinhold.

A Memorial Service will be held via Zoom on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Details to join the online service will be made available by February 8, 2021 and will be posted with the on-line obituary atwww.mbfunerals.com/listings.

In lieu of flowers, it was Jo’s wish to have donations made to the Mennonite Central Committee – Alberta, #210, 2946 – 32 St NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6J7 https://mcccanada.ca/learn/where/canada/alberta.

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

David Day
1962 – 2021
 It is with great sadness that the family of David Allen Day announce his passing in Taber on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the age of 58 years, following a long battle with cancer.
 As a result of the restrictions regarding Covid-19 and the government recommendations, a private funeral service will be held at Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. with Shelly Bassett officiating. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
 Due to the fact that in person attendance at the service is limited and by invitation only, those who wish to view the service may do so by visiting David’s obituary page on our website and clicking on the livestream link that will be available at 9:45 A.M. on Friday, February 5, 2021. A celebration of David’s life will be held once the restrictions are lifted.
 David will be warmly remembered by his wife Carol and their children Bradley (Breanne) Day of St. Albert and Ashley (Andrew) Fisher of Medicine Hat. The joy of David’s life are his two, two year old grandsons, Logan (Ashley and Andrew’s son) and Zachary (Brad and Breanne’s son). He will be greatly missed by many extended family members, including his siblings Lester Day, Dianne (Rick) Smith, Kathy (Bob) Tomasta, Judy (Cody) Tetachuk and Betty Moch; Carol’s parents Robert and Eleanor Simpson and Carol’s brothers Gordon (Cindy) Simpson and Doug (Deb) Simpson and numerous nephews and nieces.  
 He was predeceased by his parents Albert (1998) and Kathleen Day (2006) and his brother Dale Day (2007).
 David was born in Taber and grew up in Tilley. He graduated from Tilley High School in 1981. He pursued a career in oil and gas, where he worked as an assistant foreman with Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL). David worked for thirty seven consecutive years, through multiple mergers and acquisitions without changing organizations.
 David and Carol were high school sweethearts and married on September 20, 1986. They loved travelling to sporting events across North America and spending time during the winter in warm and tropical locations. They both love spoiling and chasing around their grandsons.
 David was fun loving with a huge heart. He had a deep love of sports, playing hockey in both the commercial league and Old Timers in Taber. He loved watching minor hockey in town, was a long time season ticket holder for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and was a die hard New York Islanders fan. He also enjoyed watching football, cheering for the Edmonton Eskimos and travelling to NFL games in the United States. One of his fondest memories was travelling to Arizona to see a Cardinals game with his grandsons when they were one year old. His deep love of sports was apparent as he was almost always seen wearing a hockey or football jersey.
 David always seemed to make new friends due to his enthusiastic and ‘life of the party’ attitude. He frequently talked about the interesting people he met during his many adventures. David had a great sense of humour, often leaving his family and friends laughing until they had tears in their eyes.
 From an early age, David loved camping. Many of his old photos were from camping trips with his friends. Later on, David and Carol would spend a few weeks each year with their trailer in Saskatchewan Landing and various other campgrounds across Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in David’s name may be made directly to KidSport Lethbridge & Taber,1001 – 3 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0J3 (http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/lethbridge-taber).
 The family would like to thank all of David’s doctors and nurses throughout his battle with cancer, particularly those at the Jack Ady Cancer Centre.
 Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

DIETZEN

1930 – 2021

Mrs. FAY DIETZEN of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Leo Dietzen, passed away at Good Samaritan Society Park Meadows Village on Wednesday January 27, 2021, at the age of 90 years

Due to COVID, a family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

To send a message of

condolence please visit

http://www.generationsfh.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.

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.

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

HEATH

PAT (CLARA PATRICIA) HEATH, beloved wife of the late John Heath, passed away on February 1, 2021 at the age of 95 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed

To send a condolence, please

visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

MACDONALD

GERALDINE “GERRY” MACDONALD, beloved wife of the late Joseph MacDonald, passed away peacefully at the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Friday, January 29, 2021 at the age of 99 years.

She is lovingly survived by her son Dan MacDonald of Lethbridge, as well as one nephew and five nieces, all of Ontario.

Besides her loving husband of 65 years, Joseph, she is pre-deceased by her daughter Cheryl A. MacDonald.

Gerry was known as a very loving mother and wife and throughout her life she always had a great fondness for life.

A Funeral Mass will be held at a later date. Gerry will be laid to rest with her beloved husband and daughter at Mountain View Cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MACQUARRIE

It is with heavy hearts that the family of IAN MACQUARRIE announces his sudden passing from heart failure, at the age of 56, on Monday, January 25, 2021, we Scots know it as Robbie Burn’s Day.

A private family service will take place at a later date.

To send a condolence, please

visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

SCHROEDER

FAY SCHROEDER passed away peacefully on January 29, 2021.

Loving wife, mother and grandmother, she leaves to mourn Ed, her beloved husband of sixty years, her cherished children Sandra (Randall), Scott (Angela), granddaughters Lauren and Addison.

Fay also leaves to mourn her many nieces and nephews, all of whom were dear to her. Fay was predeceased by her parents and siblings.

Fay grew up on the family farm near LeRoy, Saskatchewan with her parents George and Frances, big sister Verna and brothers Bob and Walter. As a teacher, she made a difference in the lives of so many young people. She had such a soft spot for the underdog and always had so much compassion for the students who struggled at school or at home. She really missed teaching when she retired. In recent years, Fay and Ed attended regular reunions with students she taught over 60 years ago! She loved her church family and always looked forward to Sunday services at Southminster United Church.

She was so fortunate to spend time enjoying her two wonderful granddaughters Lauren and Addie. They shone so brightly in her heart.

If you were lucky enough to know her, you felt loved and appreciated. Her friends were many and never left behind even when they moved provinces. She was so fond of her home and felt so blessed to live there to the end. Cooking for family and friends was a lifelong passion. Family was so important to her.

Thanks for the care provided by Dr. Donald Gibb, and all of the caring staff at Chinook Regional Hospital.

We grieve our loss and rejoice in a life well lived. A celebration of Fay’s life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation or STARS Air Ambulance.

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

TAILFEATHERS

GARY “TWISTER” TAILFEATHERS passed away at home in Stand Off, AB on January 28, 2021 at the age of 67 years. A Viewing will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Friday, February 5, 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 in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

To send a condolence or Watch the Funeral please visit

http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

ROMEO THIBERT

Romeo Armand Thibert left us on January 27, 2021, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Carol, daughter Jaclyn (Jackie) Doherty and son-in-law, Ryan and son Cory Thibert and daughter-in-law, Carrie, his four grandkids, Quin and Isla Doherty and Tate and Wynne Thibert, as well as his sisters and brother and families, Lauraine and John Law, Corinne Palmer and Rob and Lori Thibert, sister-in-law, Agnes Thibert and mother in law, Margaret Sears and Carol’s family, Ken and Barb Sears, Murray and Eulana Sears and Shelley Davies. He was pre-deceased by his mom and dad, Romeo and Juliet Thibert, Carol’s dad, Steve Sears, brother, Gerry Thibert and brothers in law, Ken Palmer and Kirk Davies.

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Rome knew he lived for his family and was loved by so many more. In fact, his favourite thing about his smartphone was the ‘find my friend’ app, which in his case should have been called ‘find my family.’ It was not uncommon to get a random call from him just to tell us, “ I see you are still at work,” or “ Looks like you are just passing Claresholm, coffee is on if you want to stop by for a visit!”. At the time, these little dad-isms would surely have garnered an eye roll from whoever was on the receiving end. However, we also knew it was his way of checking in and making sure we were all ok.

Romeo supported us in absolutely everything we endeavoured to do and be. This, all while quietly pursuing his black belt in karate, becoming a coach and master official for junior swimming, an official for cycling and a volunteer for many, many sporting events, as well as the arts when he served on the Empress Theatre board. He would greet his grandkids at the bus stop after school, join them in their swimming lessons, and be the first to run errands for his family when someone forgot their backpack or lunch, needed an oil change, or something from the grocery store. Even when he was no longer driving a car but riding his bike all over town, it was not unusual for him to cycle even as far as Costco and then call his kids to see if there was anything he could cram into his panniers. These are the wonderful little imperfections that make us miss him the most.

He did love his bike. This affection sustained him in later years as his health declined and he was no longer able to drive a car, but it began long before that. His first adventures on his coveted tandem took him and Carol to the east and west coasts and many points between. He then moved on to e-bikes, which he pioneered until the rest of us figured out that he just might be on to something. He loved the many adventures, often in a tent, he and Carol took with family and friends including Canada from coast to coast to coast, the United States, Asia and Europe.

Perhaps the only thing that would take him away from family gatherings were his coffee dates. For this, the Thibert house had a revolving door…his Sunday morning breakfast group, his Telus buddies, his cycling companions and his life-long friendships with those special people that were testament to his loyalty as a friend.

The comment that always rises to the surface when describing Rome is that he was a really good guy. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa or “grumpy” (though few would ever be more congenial). He will be missed.

Romeo, we love you and we will always celebrate your life. We will get together with all of those who were lucky enough to know you and love you once we are able to gather again.

Our family wants to extend our heartfelt thanks to Doctor Wong and the team at the Renal Unit, the doctors and nurses in the Lethbridge and Calgary ICUs, and the air ambulance team that travelled with him to Calgary.

For further information please visit http://www.thomsfuneralhome.com

or call 403-501-1010

Comments are closed.