SATURDAY, May 1, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 1, 2021.

Berta Beck

1931 – 2021

Mrs. Berta Beck of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Ernest Beck, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the age of 90 years.

Mom was born in West Germany on March 19, 1931. She married Dad in 1952, along with her life partner of over 50 years and two small children she immigrated to Canada in 1959 and made Lethbridge her home. Mom always put her family first. She took great pride in her home and loved to garden. She enjoyed baking, crafting, needle work, camping and fishing (she would often catch the biggest fish. This would both annoy and delight our dad).

Hobby bee keeping kept the family busy for many summers. She raised several Schnauzer puppies over the years that were every bit as spoiled as we were. Her two grandchildren were the joy and light of her life. She was always the proudest Oma at any event.

She is survived by her children Gabriele (late Ronald) Kelter of Qualicum Beach B.C., Klaus (Colette) Beck of Lethbridge, Helen (Brian) Prevost of Lethbridge and her two grandchildren Clinton and Shelby Prevost.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Legacy Lodge, North Cottage (Gazebo Project). 335 Lettice Perry Rd N, Lethbridge, AB T1H 5V7.

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

BROUWER

PATRICIA FAITH BROUWER passed away peacefully in her home late last week in Vancouver at the age of 55. Patricia was deeply loved by her mother Mrs. Jeanette Brouwer of Lethbridge and her late father Lukas and brother Harry. She will also be remembered dearly by her siblings, Rita Brouwer, Helen and Mike Wevers, Art and Maggie Brouwer, and Marjorie Machen-Brouwer. Numerous aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins will miss her fun loving presence at future family gatherings.

Patricia faced many challenges in her life, but faced them all through her faith (just like her name) in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. She was predeceased in 2018 by the love of her life, Dave Lukowski. She will also be missed by a friendship circle in Vancouver where she was a larger than life figure ready to help others and provide meals and big hugs when needed. Those who know Trish well will also know her most recent closest companion was her kitty, Itty Bitty, who is now in the care of her friend and neighbour.

Trish loved her Bible and singing Bible songs, with her favourite being Psalm 23, The Lord is My Shepherd. We are comforted to know that she is now in His care.

Due to the current pandemic, a family interment will be held, with a service of remembrance, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Trish’s memory to a charity of your choice.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

FOELKER

EDMUND FOELKER, or “Ed” as he was affectionately known by family and friends, passed away peacefully on April 28th, 2021 at the age of 92.

Ed is survived by his wife of 64 years — the love of his life — Millicent, and lovingly remembered by his daughters, Anna Marie Van Rijn and Rose Marie (Brian) Gyorffy. His five grandchildren have many memories of adventures with their dear Opa: Lindsay Van Rijn (Jerry), Jessie Van Rijn (Steven), Cameron Van Rijn (Fayla), Katie Gyorffy and Jared Gyorffy. Ed was blessed with six great- grandchildren who loved to make “GG” laugh. Ed is also remembered by his sister Emmy Flassbeck and family in Germany.

Ed was born on November 18th, 1928 in Poland, and later immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1946. He and Millicent met in Leduc, and they were married in August 1956. Their family grew with the birth of daughters Anna Marie and Rose Marie. After many years in Edmonton, the family moved to Coaldale in the mid 1970’s.

A carpenter by trade, Ed could usually be found creating in his workshop, or spending many hours in the garden with Millicent. Ed loved to travel, and had many favourite destinations in Canada, the US and throughout Europe.

Ed was a compassionate, thoughtful and honourable man who loved his family deeply.

A private family service will be held Monday, May 3rd , 2021, at 11:00 AM with Pastor Kathy Calkins officiating. The service will be live-streamed, and accessible via Ed’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

In lieu of flowers: as you plant your favourite flowers or vegetables in your garden, think of Ed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

JOHNSTONE

Mr. Lane Johnstone passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the age of 82 years, at the Coaldale Health Centre.

We would like to thank the staff at the Sunny South Lodge as well as the Long Term Care nurses for the care and compassion they have given to Lane over the years. Condolences can be sent to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

NAGEL

It is with sadness we announce the passing of RODNEY ANDREW NAGEL on April 17, 2021 at Southwood Hospice in Calgary. Rod was born in Lethbridge on January 23, 1952 and grew up in Warner. Rod enjoyed living in Calgary for over twenty years. He had many loyal friends and was a loyal friend to many.

Rod was predeceased by his parents, Peggy (nee Nett) and Harvey Nagel and his brother Randy. Rod is survived by his aunt, Esme Fleming of Calgary, his uncle, Blaine Rains of Kamloops, BC, Chris and Joy Nett of Milk River and many cousins and friends.

Rod will be greatly missed and will be forever in our hearts.

There is no memorial service planned at this time.

PETERSON

MARY PETERSON, beloved wife of the late Garth Peterson, formerly of Spring Coulee, Alberta passed away at St. Therese Villa on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 at the age of 88 years.

She was the loving mother of Chris and Ed Schuld, Don and Marlyse Peterson. She is survived by her grandchildren, Lynsey and Ryley Schuld, and Shylow Peterson, her sister-in-law’s Elnore Gejdos, and Janette Peterson and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law Helen and Bernie Ball, brother Bill Gejdos, brother and sister­-in-law Tony and Matilda Gejdos, also brother-in-law Lloyd Peterson and sister and brother-in­-law Lois and Phil Story. She will be lovingly remembered by all who met her. She loved helping out on the farm, and her gardening skills were phenomenal. We love you and miss you!

No funeral by request.

To send a condolence visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

Sister Genevieve McArthur

McArthur, Sister Genevieve, formerly Sister Ann Romuald, 95, a Sister of Saint Martha of Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland Antigonish, on Tuesday April 27, 2021, in the 65th year of her Religious Life.

Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Sister Genevieve was the daughter of the late Neil and Ann (MacDonald) MacArthur.

Sister Genevieve entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha on February 15, 1954. She pronounced her first vows on February 15, 1956, and her perpetual vows on August 15, 1959. She earned a BA in Commerce at St. Francis Xavier University and a Diploma in Hospital Administration from the University of Toronto. Sr. Genevieve had a keen mind for business and administration which was demonstrated throughout her Martha life. She served as Administrator at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital from 1962-1968 and St. Michael’s Hospital, Lethbridge, Alberta, 1980-1985. She also served as Business Manager for the Hopeville Rehabilitation Centre in Nigeria, 1977-1979. Sr. Gen served within the Congregation in several Leadership roles, including Assistant Congregation Leader and General Councillor. She shared her vast knowledge of business and administration practices as General Treasurer, and more than once Sr. Gen was named to General Administration Special Projects, which in reality meant she guided the Congregation through many innovative structural changes.

Outside of the Congregation Sr. Genevieve was a founder of the Association of Treasurers for Religious Institutes (ATRI), was on the Board for Global Education Associates and Partnership for Global Justice, both located at the United Nations. She was the Congregation’s first NGO Liaison with the Sisters of Charity Federation UN-NGO. She was a global citizen who valued the principles of the Antigonish Movement by helping to build the capacity of communities to be self reliant and sustainable. She embraced a cosmology that expanded her theological understanding of the oneness of life, everything is connected, and God is present always, in and through all Creation.

Sister Genevieve is survived by sister Leone MacArthur. Besides her parents she was predeceased by brothers Ronald, Roderick, Leo, James, Gerald, and Donald and sisters Sister Helen MacArthur, CSM, Theresa Steele, Rita Gillis, Mary MacLeod, and Catherine.

The burial will take place in the private cemetery of the Sisters of St. Martha following the recommendations and procedures required during this time of COVID-19.

A Memorial Mass, and celebration of her life will be held at a later date once the doors to Parkland Antigonish can be open to guests.

Arrangements are under the direction of C.L Curry Funeral Services of Antigonish.

STRATE

The Lord has called back one of his angels. SARAH MADISON STRATE, was born May 30, 2003 at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital and passed away April 26, 2021 at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital at the age of 17.

She lived in Magrath her entire life and was in Gr. 12 at Magrath High School. She loved to sing, dance, act, go for walks and bike rides, play soccer and for the past two years sang with the Raymond Show Choir (as MHS doesn’t have one). She loved going to Waterton.

Sarah had a zest for life and would be a friend to everyone she could. She recognized those that felt isolated and alone and reached out with nonjudgmental love and concern. You almost never saw her without a smile. She was always going out of her way to say hello to everyone she could, no one was an outsider to Sarah. She was a leader in the school’s “Hope Squad.” Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. She had been selected by peers her last four years to help them, and help them she did. Many nights she was out walking, talking with anyone that needed help. Oh how Sarah loved to serve. She only stood 5’5 but would stand up to any bully’s and did her best to make the world a better place.

She was a good student and always did well in school. She was trained as a lifeguard and loved working with youth and children. She babysat for many families in Magrath and had a gift with little children instantly loving her. The past few months she worked at Roosters Grocery Store in Magrath and loved it! Sarah loved welcoming and serving people with a smile! She worked hard and wanted to make sure everyone left the store with a smile.

She was an accomplished musician. She was on Level 8 of her Royal Conservatory with Piano. It pained her when covid shut down the Show Choir and school plays. She loved to perform. She had performed in the Kiwanis Music Festival as well. This past Remembrance Day she sang at the Town of Magrath Cenotaph Service to honour our heroes.

She was spiritually mature and had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the temple and the scriptures. She knew the Plan of Salvation and that families can be together forever. We know we will be reunited with her again someday. Sarah will always be an example of strength, confidence, faith, courage and unconditional love. She truly was trying to be like Jesus!

Sarah is survived by her parents Ron and Kristine Strate of Magrath. Twin brothers Dawson (Ashlyn) and son Bryden in Magrath, Derek (Cassidy) in Provo, Utah, Miranda (boy friend Rhys) in Lethbridge, and Bree at home in Magrath. Grandma Faye French of Lethbridge, Grandpa and Grandma Rick and Reva Strate of Magrath. Many aunts and uncles on the French and Strate side. Many cousins that loved her so much. She was predeceased by grandpa Ed French, cousin Sean Court, great grandpa Fred Strate and great grandma Harriet Strate.

Friends and family may come meet the family Tuesday evening from 6-8:30 pm at the Garden Place Chapel in Magrath. Please bring masks, small groups will be allowed in according to covid protocols and rotated as allowed. Wednesday a private funeral service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home in Cardston at 10 am, but will be broadcast live for all who want to attend. Following the service, a private graveside service will be held for family at the Magrath Cemetery.

To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

Joyce Thomas

1928 – 2021

Joyce Henrietta Thomas beloved wife of William Thomas, passed on April 28, 2021, at Fairmont Extendicare, following a lengthy illness at the age of 92.

Joyce Brooks was born on June 22, 1928 in Medicine Hat, Alberta and was raised with her six siblings in Grassy Lake Alberta. Her parents, Fred Brooks and Sara Peach (came to Canada) from Selston, Nottinghamshire, England.

Joyce attended Grassy Lake School and was very athletic especially in baseball. After her older sister Ann married and moved to Warner, Joyce also moved to Warner and while working in Reid’s Hardware store, she met Bill Thomas and they eventually married on January 4, 1947 In Medicine Hat. As stated by Bill, “she was a loving woman and a wonderful wife and mother”.

Bill and Joyce raised four children: Bob (Marilyn), Barry (Betty Jo), Linda (Len) and Keith (Alicia). Joyce was predeceased by Barry (2003). As well, Bill and Joyce have 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Joyce was happiest when she was entertaining family, neighbors or friends and always made sure they were well taken care of. She was a great cook, an artistic home decorator and had a lovely singing voice. Joyce sang with the Warner Evangelical Church Choir and was a soloist at many weddings. Her other interests included sewing, quilting, and gardening. She belonged to the Eastern Star and the Order of Royal Purple.

Even as her health declined, Joyce never complained and the staff who cared for her said many gracious things about her. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff, too many to mention individually, at Fairmont Extendicare who provided compassionate, loving care to our mother, grandmother and wife. Joyce was a loving, thoughtful, selfless person who we will miss dearly.

A private family service will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch Joyce’s service via livestream by going to http://www.mbfunerals.com and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory would be greatly appreciated to the Alzheimer’ Society, Alberta branch, 10430 61 Ave NW #306, Edmonton, AB T6H 2J3, and/or a charity of your choice.

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

TURNER

STANLEY “STAN” TURNER, beloved husband of Darie Turner, of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly at home, on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, at the age of 89 years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 1st, 2021, at 1:00 PM with Father William Monis celebrating.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed, and available via Stan’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Nada Vekony

1933 – 2021 

Nada Vekony, beloved wife of the late Frank Vekony, passed away in Taber on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the age of 87 years. As a result of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 and the government recommendations, a private service will be held at Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.  Nada is survived by her son Milan Kosic of Taber and her daughter Gordana (Dragan) Kovacevic of Bosnia. She is also survived by her sister Sophie Gfrerer and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband Vaso Kosic and her second husband Frank Vekony; two sons Dragan Kosic and Goran Kosic; her parents and by numerous siblings and in-laws. Nada was born in Laktasi, Yugoslavia on August 14, 1933 to Maria (nee Jeremic) and Branko Radic. She met Vaso Kosic and they were married until his passing in 1984. In January 1989, she immigrated to Canada and settled in Taber. Eventually she met and married Frank Vekony. They continued to reside in Taber where Frank worked as a mechanic until his passing in 1997. In 2020, Nada moved to Linden View where she remained until her passing. She will be dearly missed. Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778. 

WELLS

SARAH WELLS, beloved wife of the late Luke Wells, of the Blood Reserve, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the age of 90 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

WILKINSON

Frank Wilkinson of Coalhurst passed away on April 28 at the age of 72 after a year long battle with lung cancer.

He will be missed by his wife Sylvia and his son Ryan (Lynda), their daughters Sarah and Sydney, his daughter Kellie (Jesse) Emerson, their daughter Riley, his sisters Doreen (Murray) Williams and Dianne Fergstad, and his many family members and friends.

Frank established FRS Electric in Lethbridge over 40 years ago and built a successful electrical contractors business.

Frank loved his family and was very proud of Ryan and Kellie, and his granddaughters.

At Frank’s request there will be no services. Condolences can be sent to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

Comments are closed.