TUESDAY, July 27, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 27, 2021.

1960 – Mark Hanna – 2021

Mark Steven Hanna of Medicine Hat passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at the age of 61 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother Ethel Hanna; one brother Brett “Butch” Hanna; three sisters, Brenda (Jamie) Durkin, Terri (Dennis) Mann and Julie (David) Herrmann as well as many nieces and nephews. The funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (238 – 2nd Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat) on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. with Fr. Roque Pereira Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. Those who wish to remember Mark with a donation, may do so to St. Mary’s School (for school athletics) c/o 155 11 St SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4S2 or to the Bantam Rangeland football league c/o 200 7 St SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4K1. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: office@pattisonfuneralhome.com subject heading: Mark Hanna, or you may visit http://www.pattison funeralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.

Arrangements are by the

PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

540 South Railway St. SE,

Medicine Hat T1A 2V6.

Please call 1-866-526-2214 for

further information.

Delores Butterwick

1932 – 2021

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Delores Butterwick beloved wife of the late Bill Butterwick,

Delores is survived by two sons Randy (Norma), Dan (Donna) one daughter in law Cynthia, eight grandchildren,13 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Bill and her son Beverly.

She passed away peacefully at the age of 89 surrounded by her loving family. She will be fondly remembered by her many friends and family that knew and loved her.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 pm, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at the FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, 802 1 Ave W, Foremost, Alberta, with Reverend Pauline Bell officiating. A private family Interment will be held prior.

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

Dr. Gamil Cassis

1926 – 2021

Dr. Gamil Cassis of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Wedad Cassis, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Monday, July 19, 2021, at the age of 94 years.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, with Father Kevin Tumback, celebrant.

Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

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

ERICKSON

Veda Mae Erickson of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Bernard Gommeringer, passed away peacefully on July 23 2021 at home with her husband at her side. She had recently celebrated her 89th birthday. She is lovingly remembered by her husband Bernard (Bernie) Gommeringer, daughter Ava (Marty), son Bryan (Linda) along with 4 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, stepson Allen and stepdaughters Cathi and Debi.

Veda was born and raised in Saskatchewan. She lived in Lynn Lake Manitoba for a short time but spent many years in Alberta working, farming and running a small hotel/restaurant. She retired to Lethbridge, where she met and married Bernie. Veda loved to travel, with Arizona, Las Vegas and Waikiki being her favorites. Spending time with her family and friends was a very important part of her life. She also enjoyed the slots at the local casino.

Veda loved people and animals. She volunteered with The Lethbridge Human Society and with the local cat rescue organization, PAW, where she worked tirelessly as a fundraiser for years. At Veda’s request there will be no funeral services. If friends wish, memorial tributes may be made to Lethbridge PAW Society, Box 255, Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Y5.

Guisto “Joe” Ficiur

1935 – 2021

Mr. Guisto “Joe” Ficiur of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Annie Ficiur, passed away at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre on Sunday, July 24, 2021 at the age of 85 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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

FLETCHER

Following a courageous battle with ALS, Lenore Elaine Fletcher of Lethbridge, AB passed away on Tuesday July 20th, 2021 at the age of 76.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 53 years, Charlie; their children: Bryan (Kimberley) and Sharon (Brian); their grandchildren: Jessica (Brady), Austin (Kelsey), Joel (Victoria), and Sianna (Braden); as well as countless relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her sisters: (Joan, Betty, Doreen); brother: (Jim); and parents (Tom and Dorothy Keen) and their spouses.

Lenore was born in St. James Winnipeg on July 19th, 1945. She married Charlie on November 25th, 1967 and they moved to Edmonton where Bryan and Sharon were born. They then moved to the Lethbridge area where they raised their children on an acreage just outside of town. Lenore got a job as an administration assistant at Sunnyside School and continued to work there for 16 years. The students respected her so much that to this day, prior students still call her Mrs. Fletcher.

In addition to her community involvement at Sunnyside School, Lenore also had a passion for camping, baking, sewing, travel and always loved to entertain a house full of family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 on July 30th, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home, 2825 32 St S, Lethbridge, AB T1K 7B1.

Flowers kindly declined. Please make a donation to ALS society 7874 10th St, NE Calgary, AB, T2E 8W1 or http://www.alsab.ca.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the ALS Society for their unlimited support over the past nine months.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Gerty Heinen

1948 – 2021

Gerty Heinen was born in Bunschoten, the Netherlands September 15,1948, the youngest of nine children, and passed into the loving arms of her Saviour July 23, 2021.

She arrived in Canada along with her parents and five older brothers in June, 1955, coming to the Barhill area. She attended school in Turin and Picture Butte. Following graduation from Picture Butte High School she attended Lethbridge Community College and then the University of Lethbridge to pursue a Bachelor of Education. She began her teaching career at Immanuel Christian School in Lethbridge. With the exception of a year’s leave for the school year 1974-75 which she spent in Holland working as a receptionist, she continued her teaching career there until 2003 when illness prevented her from returning to the classroom. Summer vacations were spent travelling – one of her loves – as she travelled many times with friends throughout Europe and other continents. As her mobility decreased, she was grateful to be able to continue to live in her own home with the assistance of a caregiver. She spent many hours translating family histories from Dutch into English for people across Canada and the United States.

She is survived by her older brothers Frank (Jeannette), Henry (Linda), Roelof (Fern) and William (Darlene) and many nieces and nephews in Canada and the Netherlands. She was predeceased by her parents Roelof (1979) and Jannettje (1987), brothers Arie (1988), Bart (2000), John (2001) and sister Stiena (1997).

A private Funeral Service will be held at Iron Springs Christian Reformed Church Wednesday, July 28, 2021, preceded by internment at Huntsville Cemetery.

For those who wish, the service will be live-streamed and may be accessed at the Iron Springs CRC website and then following https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCxcWvkCqYjQJ6TTdg4EgtMg

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, donations may be directed to Jack Ady Cancer Centre 960 19 St S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 1W5.

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

KOVACS

JULIUS ALEX KOVACS passed away peacefully at Good Samaritans West Highlands, on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the age of 92 years.

A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Lois Punton officiating.

Following the service, Julius will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Annie in Mountain View Cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MORIYAMA

JACQUELINE “JACKIE” MORIYAMA, beloved wife of the late Mickey Moriyama, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Monday, July 26, 2021 at the age of 81 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

SMITH

MARY JEAN SMITH, beloved wife of the late Joseph Smith, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at the age of 66 years.

She is lovingly remembered by her children; Jennifer (Brian) Forsyth, Kenny (Elisa) Rogers and Tanya (Jason) Billyard who Mary welcomed into her family when Tanya’s mother passed; grandchildren, Morgan Phillips (Aidan Campbell), Laura and Riley Rogers, Jordan, Jada and Josie Noble and Brian Forsyth Jr.; her siblings, Frank (Linda) Davison, Sue Spinney, Bea MacNamara, Everett (Val) and Marshall Silver, Josetta (David) Conrad, Russell and Lawrence (Pat) Silver; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as very special lifelong friends, Claudia, Izzy, Karen and Olive.

Mary was born in Nova Scotia to parents, Laura and Everett Silver. She moved to Alberta in her early 20’s and started her working career. She married Dave Tjostheim and together they raised their children, Jennifer and Ken until Dave’s tragic passing in 1997.

Mary was fortunate to find love again and at the age of 45 years, married Joseph Smith, spending 15 wonderful loving years together until his passing.

She worked over 20 years at the Edith Cavell Care Center, providing exceptional and meticulous housekeeping to the residents and building.

In her later years, she enjoyed living at The Heritage Lodge and the many friendships she made there.

Mary lived an active lifestyle of bowling, curling and dancing. She enjoyed baking and reading but was famous for her knitted baby “Nanny Blankets” and large afghans. At one point Mary had completed every pattern known in every knitting book and then enjoyed the challenge of patterns off the internet.

Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family. Mary will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.

Our family extends a heartwarming thank you to the doctors and nurses of the Chinook Regional Hospital on Unit 4C and ICU for their tender and loving care they showed Mary and our family in her final days.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825-32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Pat Siedlecki officiating. Mary will be laid to rest with her husband Joseph in Archmount Cemetery.

In memory of Mary, flowers are accepted or please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

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

SMITH

Melissa Ann Bernadette Margaret (Little Beaver Woman) Smith. Born July 7, 1988. Passed away tragically on July 22, 2021. Wake services will be held at Snodgrass Funeral Chapel, Pincher Creek on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, and Thursday, July 29 at the Walter Smith residence beginning at 1:00 pm until sunrise. Funeral service on Friday July 30th at 1:00pm. Location in Brocket to be announced.

Snodgrass Funeral Homes

assisting the Smith family with

funeral arrangements

(403) 627-4864.

Ron Valgardson

1928 – 2021 

Ronald Kenneth Valgardson, beloved husband of Connie Valgardson, passed away in Taber on Friday, July 23, 2021 at the age of 93 years. A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden on Monday, July 26, 2021. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.  Ron is survived by his loving wife of fifty nine years, Constance Valgardson (nee Bassett); three children Brian (LorRee) Valgardson of Taber and their children Chad (Kendall) and their children Wyatt, Weston and Walker, Jordan (Brittany) and their children Nash, Navy and Vaeda, Colton (Jessica) and Jason (Teneal) and their children Mayci and Rocco; Wayne (Twyla) Valgardson of Taber and their children Travus (Amanda) and their children Blair and Kali, Curtis (Dawn) and Kassidy (Ren); Carrie (Roy) Simek of Taber and their children Mackenzie (Tyler) and their children Blake and Leo, Brooke (Hunter) and Austin.  He is also survived by his sister Ethel (Bob) Stephenson; sisters-in-law Sharon Bassett and Victoria Valgardson. He was predeceased by his parents William and Mae Valgardson; brothers William “Bill” Valgardson, Howard Valgardson and Garry Valgardson; sisters Norma Haslam, Thelma Rawsthorne and LaRue Carter; sisters-in-law Donna Valgardson and Patti Valgardson; brothers-in-law Robert “Bob’ Bassett, Van Haslam, Cliff Rawsthorne and Alfred Carter. Ron’s family came from Spanish Fork, Utah in 1903, settling in the Taber area. Ron was born in Taber on January 31, 1928, the seventh of eight children born to William and Mae Valgardson. He spent all of his life in Taber where he went to school. In his early twenties, he moved to Calgary where he lived with his sister LaRue while attending SAIT to complete a welding course, he then returned to Taber. Ronald and Connie were married January 18, 1962. Many good memories were made on their farm. They were blessed with three children, whom he loved raising and watching them grow. Ron loved his family and was even more excited when grandkids started coming.  He enjoyed taking care of the yard, his beautiful flowers and planting a garden. He loved taking trips to Creston with his family. Ron truly loved his job, always checking his crops and making sure everything was just right. His cattle were something the whole family was involved in. Some of the best memories come from branding day, where everyone would gather and participate in some kind of task. This is where any first timers learned cattle talk. The ranch was his favourite spot to be. As a young man he talked about having the sheep down there, checking and caring for them. When Ronald was older he started a cow calf herd at the ranch, running a thousand head feedlot up until BSE. This is where he took many rides, with family at his side checking the cattle. Ron’s family farmed in the Taber area for over 100 years, his passing is the end of an era.  He was a quiet, reserved man, but to his family he was an honest, hardworking man with a big heart, who spoke few words. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He truly lived the best life and a good life. He loved the land and life. We love you to the ranch and back, till we ride the prairie with you again.  If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ron’s name may be made directly to memorial tributes in Ronald’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 – 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 (http://www.tdhf.ca). Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

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