WEDNESDAY, May 5, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 5, 2021.

Stanley (Butch) Martens

June 3rd, 1950 – April 29th, 2021

Stanley (Butch) Frederic Martens, born June 3, 1950, loving husband of Cathy Martens of Coaldale passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the age of 70 years.

Butch is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cathy, their two sons Trevor (Charmaine) and Todd Martens, his grandchildren Ainsley and Addison Martens, and also his brothers Bill (Bonnie), Ed (Linda), sister Shirley, sister-in-law Audrey and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Butch was predeceased by his parents, Jakob and Christina, and Brother, John Martens.

Above all, Butch loved his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.

Condolences may be made at http://www.zentnerfuneralhomes.com

1-844-ZENTNER

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 at 1:00 pm, 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.

WELLS

SARAH WELLS, beloved wife of the late Luke Wells, of the Blood Reserve, was called home, surrounded by her children and family, at the Kainai Continuing Care Centre, on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the tender age of 90 years.

She leaves behind a large family and extended family in Canada and the United States, including her children: Dorothy Still Smoking, Judy and Allen (Jocelyn) Wells, Colleen (Pat) Thomas, Joanne (Jerry) Black Plume, Linda (Lewis) Little Bear and Carolyn (Kurt) Zuback; brothers: Frank Still Smoking, Alvie (Pearl) Still Smoking, Everette Still Smoking, Tommy Hawks Still Smoking, Leroy Still Smoking; sister Lillian Still Smoking; and adopted children: Isabel Sweet Grass and Rosaline Weasel Moccasin. She also leaves behind 24 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins as well as brother-in-law Richard (Geraldine) Wells; and sisters-in-law: Bertha Weasel Fat and Marie Still Smoking and special friends: Annie Davis and Jeanette Blood.

Sarah was predeceased by her husband Luke Wells Sr; parents: Samuel and Mabel Still Smoking; brothers: Samuel Still Smoking aka Sam Brown, Albert Still Smoking, and Herbert (Patty) Still Smoking; sister Wilma Little Moustache; children: Sandra Ross, Barbara Eagle Tail Feathers, Kenneth Wells and Dickie Wells; grandchildren: Charmayne Wells, Raegen Wells, Arbutus Kaye Wells, Brooklyn and Charity Tailfeathers; in-laws Dick and Katie Wells; and sister-in-law, Janette Wells.

Sarah was born on February 19, 1931 in Durham, Montana on the Blackfeet Reservation. She was born to Samuel and Mabel Still Smoking and was the second eldest of ten siblings whom she remained close to throughout the years.

At a young age, she enjoyed her life out in Durham with her siblings and cousins. She often spoke of picnicking, drumming, playing cards, picking berry roots and horseback riding. Mom attended Browning High School in Browning, Montana and graduated in 1948.

In 1951, she married the love of her life, Luke Wells and together they raised ten children in the community of Farm Four on the Blood Reserve. She was a very caring and loving mother who nurtured her children and grandchildren throughout their growing years. She also raised her grandchildren: Dickie, Leo, Cody, Jodie and Pauline. She was an instrumental figure in their lives and cherished all her grandchildren.

Mom was a talented seamstress and could sew anything. She enjoyed making clothes, blankets, Halloween costumes and dolls for all of her children and grandchildren. The family relied heavily on her to mend the boys jeans and do alterations. Mom was an awesome cook and to this day, the girls are still trying to master her Fry Bread recipe. She was the foundation and matriarch of her family. She kept her family close by always ensuring they gathered together during holidays. She enjoyed hosting large family meals during Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Indian Days.

Mom worked hard throughout her entire life. She had a strong work ethic and took pride in providing for her family. She was employed by St. Mary’s School for 25 years and then four years with Kainai Board of Education. During that time, she made many lifelong friends. As a talented seamstress, she helped out with Home Ec by teaching moss bag making, sewing and repairing the sewing machines. Her kind, loving and gentle demeanor made her a favorite of the students and staff at St Mary’s School. She was loved by all.

Mom was strong in her Catholic faith and made many yearly pilgrimages to Lac St. Anne with her family and good friend, Annie Davis. She enjoyed travelling abroad to such destinations as Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. One of Mom’s most cherished memories was in 1995 when she traveled with granddaughter Melodie to Paris, France and Rome, Italy. The highlights of her trip included visiting the Eiffel Tower and Vatican City while enjoying the picturesque views of The Grace Kelly Gardens, Mediterranean Sea and The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Mom made many friends throughout her life because of her kind and generous personality. Many of her friends remained in her life up until her passing. Mom spent the last five years in the Kainai Continuing Care Centre. The staff were very fond of her as she was a compassionate and humble person; she wasn’t one to complain. Despite being in the care centre, she remained active and continued to sew and craft. When mom started to slow down, her granddaughter Heather was instrumental in caring for her health and well-being throughout the duration of her stay.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Eagle Bear and the staff at the Kainai Continuing Care Centre for their compassion and support in the caring for Mom.

A Public Wake / Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a Wake Service to take place at 7:00 PM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited to 20 guests at a time. Kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 7, 2021 at 12:00 PM with Father Derek Remus celebrating. Both the Wake Service on Thursday and Funeral Mass on Friday will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Sarah’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Sarah will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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

Derek Wiest

1986 – 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Derek Wiest announce his sudden passing. Derek will be forever missed & cherished by his three boys Carter, Sonny and Beau and their mother Jessica Wiest.

He’s survived by and lovingly remembered by his parents Ted & Cindy Wiest, brother David (Karey) Wiest and sister Michelle (Shawn) Van Nistelrooy. Derek’s six nieces and nephews brought him great joy: Tanner, Colton & Shelby Wiest, Jessa, Barrett and Brance Van Nistelrooy. Derek is also survived by his grandma Verna Wiest, grandparents Laurence & Marg Ferguson, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins & friends. He is predeceased by his uncle Butch and will be joining his #1 fan, Grandpa Pug in Heaven.

Derek had a great personality and a sensitive soul; this impacted many friendships in his life. His love for sports, especially baseball & hockey took him travelling to many places at a very young age in which many special bonds were made with great friends. He was a part of many provincial championship teams in baseball and hockey as well as being honored to play with different All-star teams throughout his hockey years.

Early in his life Derek adopted the Pittsburgh Penguins as his team and was strongly devoted to them until his passing. His all-time favourite player was #66 Mario Lemieux in which Derek spent many hours mimicking Mario’s moves in his basement as a kid. Then as the Penguins years went on #87 Sid the Kid became his next hero.

Derek was a strong advocate to many young athletes and put so much energy into coaching baseball and hockey. His fondest memories were coaching Coaldale Copperheads alongside Jeremy Kenyon & Darren Emelson in which they led them to be KAHL champions of Alberta Junior B. Followed by another great season coaching with Mikel Wiest, Brenden Odland and Ty Odland. In the year 2017/18 he was offered a coaching position with the Drayton Valley Thunder to assist them in a rebuilding year.

Derek’s greatest enjoyment and happiest days were spent with family, especially his 3 sons. They would spend many nights watching Pittsburgh games and would all have to put on their Penguins jersey or start a big mini stick game. He was an amazing uncle to his nieces and nephews, being a great fan to them through their sporting events and always was so proud of their accomplishments.

Derek had so much goodness and thrived to help others in so many ways. He fought very hard with his own struggles of mental health and addictions but could not fight this battle any longer. His caring personality will be missed every day.

A public Viewing will be held from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Martin Brothers Riverview Chapel, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. Please book a time to come in by visiting https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Derek-Wiest and scrolling to the bottom of Derek’s obituary.

A private family service will be held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, May 8, 2021. The family invites those who wish to watch the service via livestream at http://www.mbfunerals.com and scrolling to the bottom of Derek’s obituary.

A celebration of Derek’s life will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made in honour of Derek to Enchant Skating Rink (Box 1856 Enchant T0K0V0) or the Calgary Dreams Center (4510 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2G 0A4).

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

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