WEDNESDAY, June 2, 2021
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on June 2, 2021.
BODNAR
John Mike Bodnar of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Gladys passed away May 28, 2021 at the age of 85 after a short stay in Chinook Regional Hospital. Dad was born in 1935 on a farm in Barnwell shortly after his parents and two sisters immigrated to Canada. He was raised with 7 siblings on farms in the Barnwell, Coalhurst and Commerce areas. From early on country music and horses were an important part of his life. Growing up, music was a part of all the celebrations and there wasn’t a horse in the area that Dad and his brothers couldn’t ride.
Dad met Mom across the fence in Commerce and married shortly after in 1956, recently celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. Mom and Dad settled in Diamond City where our family was raised.
Besides his loving wife Gladys, he is survived by 4 children, daughter Penny (Calvin) Sosick, their children Kelly (Dorthy), Amy (Logan) Wehlage. Son Don (Terry) Bodnar, their children Mandy (Peter) Parker, Jill (Dustin) Smith and Ty (Kim). Daughter Patti (Marvin) Bebek, their children Curtis (Umara), Jamie (Brynne), Jacey (Zach) Harris. Daughter Linda (Jim) Vance, their children Danielle (Blair) Ross and Derek (Brooke) and his greatest joy, his 18 great grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother Steve (Pat), numerous brother in laws and sister in laws and nieces and nephews in the Bodnar and Casson families.
Dad was pre-deceased by his parents Michael and Elizabeth, sisters Annie, Ethel, Mary and brothers Ed, George and Bill.
We would like to thank Dr Wong, Lethbridge Renal Clinic, Norbridge Pharmacy, Lethbridge Senior Citizen Meals on Wheels for all your care and attention over the years. Also we would like to thank the Doctors and nurses in the Chinook Regional Hospital Emergency Dept and Unit 3C for the wonderful care he received.
As per Dad’s request there will be no funeral service.
Those who wish may donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta Branch in memory of John Bodnar.
LOOK OUT HEAVEN – HERE HE COMES!
To send a message of condolence or sign the online guestbook please visit our website http://www.generationsfh.ca
KELVIN TOLMAN MACDONNELL
DECEMBER 2, 1936 – MAY 22, 2021
Kelvin entered this world at a little over 2 pounds in Cardston Alberta as the second son of Edwin and Fontella MacDonnell. Soon, Gaylord and Greg would also be welcomed into the family to join Val and Kelvin. They grew up in Hill Spring in the company of many uncles, aunts and cousins, and were known for their prankster ways.
Kelvin grew up working hard and playing hard. He loved camping, fishing, hiking, basketball and anything to do with the great outdoors. Joking around, teasing, and pulling pranks was always part of the fun.
Kelvin met the love of his life and eternal companion, Jean Marie Olshaskie, at a dance in Waterton. It was the beginning of a lifelong love of dancing. Together Kelvin and Jean raised 3 children, Trina, Mike and Julie. They all enjoyed their family vacations together, camping, traveling, fishing and swimming.
Kelvin enjoyed being a husband and Dad, but he really enjoyed being a Grandpa. He loved introducing the grandkids to water fighting, picnics in Waterton, and supporting them in their various sports. Together, Kelvin and Jean also made many trips to Idaho and Oregon to visit their grandkids.
As much as Kelvin enjoyed being a Grandpa, he loved being a Great Grandpa. The last few years, Kelvin and Jean’s whole world revolved around the great grandkids they had close, and regretted every mile between the great grandkids that were far away.
Kelvin always worked hard. The job he loved the most was at the Lethbridge College as a Program Coordinator. The exact count of how many times he retired from the college is unknown, as he just kept going back.
Kelvin was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His favorite calling was serving as Bishop. He loved the people of his ward and his neighbors, giving many hours of service to them all.
Kelvin lived a full and wonderful life, but his most admirable role was that of a Husband. He was devoted to Jean until his passing on May 22, 2021, just after their 63rd wedding anniversary. Their love and devotion to each other was immeasurable.
Kelvin is predeceased by his parents, Edwin and Fontella MacDonnell, younger brother Greg MacDonnell and Father and Mother in-law, John and Edith Olshaskie. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean, their children Trina (Guy) Peterson, Mike MacDonnell, Julie (Wes) Wolsey, nine wonderful grandchildren, of whom he was so proud, and seventeen very precious great grandchildren.
Kelvin is survived by two of his brothers, Val (Marjorie) MacDonnell, his younger brother Gaylord MacDonnell, his sister in-law Eva (Lyle) Vance, along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Kelvin’s family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors who have shown such kindness at this time.
A Family Service will be held on Saturday, June 5th at 11:00 am.
To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
SNOPEK
PAUL FROLIAN SNOPEK was born March 21, 1946, in Lethbridge to Martin Snopek Sr. and Mabel Snopek (née Bryant). He passed away peacefully at the Edith Cavell Care Centre on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, with his very close friend Linda Bissett at his side.
Paul grew up on a farm near Enchant and loved every part of farming, especially fixing the machinery and vehicles. To many, he was known as “Mr. Fix-it” as there wasn’t a project he wouldn’t take on. He was employed by the City of Lethbridge for 36 years before retiring in March 2006, when he moved from his acreage outside of Lethbridge to his present home in the city. He worked as a heavy equipment operator, earning praise for his excellence of work.
Paul loved to work on trucks, GMC’s in particular. He would fix them up nice and shiny and then couldn’t part with them, so he was seen driving a different truck around town quite often. His favorite was his 1984 GMC C1500 Red truck, which we are sure he is driving around heaven right now, with a full tank of gas that will never run out.
Left to treasure his memories are half brother Frank (Rosella) Snopek, sisters-in-law Irene and Sylvia Snopek, nieces and nephews: Joanne Cook, Neil (Kathy) Snopek, David (Barbara) Snopek, Rodney (Kathy) Snopek, Patricia (Eudes) Salat, Judy (Dave) Wielenga, Charlene Royston, Gary (Lynette) Snopek, Debra (Brian) Pawlitsky, and cousins.
Paul was predeceased by his father Martin Sr., mother Mabel, half brothers Martin Jr (Monna), Joseph, and John Snopek.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer Society (alzheimer.ca)
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
THOMAS
On May 29, 2021, FREDA ROSE REEDER THOMAS had a great reunion with her husband of 70 years, Burke Thomas, who preceded her through the veil in 2016. They first met at a dance just after he returned from WW II, and now they will continue that dance into eternity.
Freda was born on October 20, 1927 in Cardston, Alberta. She was raised on a ranch in the Beazer area and had wonderful stories of working with the sheep (which she hated), riding horses (which she loved), and going to a one-room schoolhouse with her older brothers, Lynn and Bob Reeder.
She got married in 1946 (and later sealed in the Temple) and she and Burke raised their children in the Glenwood and the Cardston areas. She was known for her sense of humor and her love of visiting with others. She made great life-long friends, many who have preceded her and some who are still here to miss her passing.
She is greatly missed by her children, Vicki (Doug) Smith, Patricia (Tom) Hall, Rosalee (Randy) Janisko, Kelly (Kathy) Thomas, Jack Thomas and Zoe Thomas. She has a very large posterity who will remember her fondly, with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren!
Due to restrictions, there will be a small graveside service for family members on Thursday, June 3, at the Glenwood Cemetery. The service will be recorded and placed on the Legacy Funeral Home’s web page.
To WATCH the service Online or to send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
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