WEDNESDAY, September 29, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on September 29, 2021.

ELMA BELTER

November 24,1942

– September 25, 2021

With deep sadness, we announce the sudden passing of ELMA BELTER at the age of 78.

Born and raised near Herbert SK, Elma spent majority of her life in Lethbridge with her family. She is lovingly survived by her 2 children and their families.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, 1210 Scenic Drive South, Lethbridge, AB. Please meet at the entrance to the cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.salmonandsons.ca

GRANT THOMAS BISH

1927 – 2021

Grant was born on October 13, 1927 in Galahad, Alberta. He passed peacefully on September 20, 2021 at Points West Living in Stettler, AB. Grant grew up on his parent’s farm in the Hastings Coulee District. He completed high school in Forestburg, AB.

In 1950 he married Audrey Pfaff. The marriage produced 3 loving sons: Greg, Phil and Terry.

Grant was employed by Forestburg Collieries from 1949 – 1969. In 1969 the family moved to Hinton where he worked for Cardinal River Coals until the fall of 1974. Grant and Audrey moved to Devon where they owned and operated Bish’s Confectionary and Terry’s Mens Wear. After selling the businesses they had brief stops in Lamont, Stettler and Blairmore. Lethbridge became home. The final years Grant resided in Stettler.

He is survived by his sons Greg (Olive) and Phil (Cindy); daughter-in-law Linda; sisters-in-law Marilyn and Edna; grandchildren: Clint, Colin (Tarn), Travis (Amber), Kenneth, Adam, Kristi, Tannis (Will); great grandchildren Kirsten, Keanna, Harrison, Fierra and Terry.

Grant was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years Audrey; his son Terry; parents Fred and Emma; sisters: Barbara (twin to Grant), Mildred (Jim), Mabel (Don) and Austie (Bruce); brothers: Homer (Lenore), Denver, Walter (Verna), Bill and brother-in-law Reg.

Grant enriched all our lives. He will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered.

Memorial donations may be made in Grant’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Stettler Funeral Home &

Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. 403-742-3422

DEHEER

Gerard (Gerry) DeHeer

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Oh God my Father!

With utmost sadness, the family announces the passing of our father, grandfather, and great grandfather in the early hours of September 24, 2021. Dad was the loving husband of Coby for 70 years. We were so very blessed with Dad’s life, just having celebrated his 91st birthday on September 14th.

Dad was born in Nigtevecht, the Netherlands and grew up the eldest of 10 children, four brothers and 5 sisters.

Dad was educated as a pressman in the Netherlands, having articled four years to obtain his diploma in Amsterdam in 1949. He met the love of his life; Coby, his sweetheart and they were married in 1951. Dad wanted a better life for his family and in 1952 Mom and Dad immigrated to Canada aboard the “S. S. Groote Beer” which landed at Pier 21 in Halifax on September 30, 1952. Three days later they arrived by train in Southern Alberta. In the spring of the following year, their first child, Jack was born.

Early work in Canada for Dad was at small printing businesses but he was soon hired in the Lethbridge Herald’s Commercial Printing Division to operate their new Heidelberg press. Through his hard work, dedication and talent, Dad advanced to Foreman and then Manager, a position he held for many years. Later, in 1985, when the opportunity arose to purchase the commercial printing business division, Dad, having the entrepreneurial skills, and with Mom’s support, seized the opportunity and a successful family business, Graphcom Printers Ltd. began. Jack followed in Dad’s footsteps in Graphcom and successfully took over the leadership role in 1993 although Dad was active in the business for many years following, the later years still running a press. Dad’s keen sense of business and his experiences as well as his desire to give back to the Community and the Country he loved led him to take many volunteer positions including the St. John’s Ambulance, starting in the late 1950’s, being given many awards for his service by the Province of Alberta, serving in the Kiwanis Club for many years, serving as President, as well as the Lethbridge Symphony Association. But overwhelmingly, it was his love for Christ and his Church that led him to work his whole life for the Lord and to demonstrate that love in the many roles he took to support the Maranatha Christian Reformed Church.

Although Dad loved to work, and he worked hard and many long hours to support his family, Dad also spent many wonderful vacations with his children and grandchildren on camping trips and trips in the Motorhome that Mom and Dad loved to take to Yuma each year in their retirement. They made many close friends in Yuma, Arizona. Dad was a handyman in all aspects of the word, and he enjoyed working on his acreage in his later years. Dad’s love for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was immense but his amazing love for Coby throughout the 70 wonderful years of marriage they shared, was inspiring to us all.

Dad leaves behind to mourn his passing his loving wife Coby, his loving children, son Jack (Laura) DeHeer, and their children Garth (Danielle) DeHeer, Ella, Olivia and Nash, and Tara DeHeer, his oldest daughter Marianne Bohmer (Randy Trotter) and her children Kristen (Richard) Vanderwal and Justin Jarvie, his youngest daughter Yvonne (John) Barthel and their children Alex and Spencer Barthel (Cassidy Vanden Berg) and youngest son Mike Oevering. Dad also leaves to mourn his passing Mom and Dad’s caring neighbors and wonderful friends of many years, Bela and Ildiko Santa and their children Kinga (Zentner) and Csenge.

Dad was predeceased by a great granddaughter Brooke DeHeer, son-in-law Clark Bohmer, a brother Jeff DeHeer, and a sister Jenny Vandernet.

The family would like to thank the many home care and health care professionals who took such amazing and compassionate care of our Dad over the last five months with a very special thank-you to Brad, Kim and Celeste for your utmost compassion and allowing our Dad to live his last days with dignity.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Service will be held at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church (260 McGill Blvd W, Lethbridge, AB) on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Paul Van Stralen officiating.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@ cornerstonefh.ca. Seating will be limited to 50 guests. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.

The Service will be livestreamed and available to view via Gerry’s obituary on the Cornerstone website, as well as the Maranatha Church website.

Gerry will be laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery during a family graveside service.

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

FRANTZ

Donald G. Frantz, age 87, finished his final race and entered glory Sept 20, 2021, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Don was born in 1934 in Alameda, California. He lived a full and productive life as a member of the Coast Guard, a missionary translator, a distinguished linguist & university professor, author of the Blackfoot Dictionary, Iron Man triathlete, loving husband, father and grandfather, and faithful follower of his beloved Saviour Jesus Christ.

He is survived by sister Joy, children Lisa, Timothy, & Jeff, 18 grandchildren, and 31 great-grandchildren. He is preceded by Patty, his wife of 54 years, and 10 miscarried great-grandchildren.

The family would especially like to thank the amazing nurses & staff of the Chinook Hospital in unit 5B who provided Don with loving care during his final weeks.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date. More info @ evergreenfh.ca Condolences can be sent to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

John Hildebrand
1932 – 2021
John Gerhardt Hildebrand, beloved husband of the late Ellen Hildebrand, passed away in Medicine Hat on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the age of 88 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the burial service at the Bow Island Cemetery on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 12:30 P.M.
As a result of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 and the government recommendations, a private funeral service attended by family only will be held at the Evangelical Free Church, 214 – 4 Avenue West, Bow Island on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. 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 only for family, those who wish to view the service online may do so by visiting http://www.bowislandefc.com and choosing the ‘live’ link on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 2:00 P.M.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.  

Cindy Loree (Fraser) Hubka

April 9th, 1959 – September 25th, 2021

Cindy Loree Hubka (Fraser), known as Cindy, Hon, Lou, Cindy Lou, Cinderella, Nana, Nan, MAH, Mama, Mommy, (but not mother) and Cindy Windy Wiggle Bum, passed away suddenly in Cranbrook, B.C. on September 25th, 2021, at age 62.

Cindy was the first baby born in the new Carmangay hospital, on April 9th, 1959 to Muriel and Leonard Fraser, the second youngest of seven children; Jim (Sandy), Larry (Pam), Jackie (Chuck), Doug (Jan), Laurie (Randy), and Ken.

Cindy touched numerous lives throughout the world, so many dear friends and relatives, those she met during her travels, and the people she worked with. She started her career caring for others at Lethbridge Community College in the nursing program and completed her nursing degree at the University of Lethbridge. She was a nurse at the Carmangay Hospital and at the Claresholm General Hospital for the bulk of her 30 plus year career. She later expanded into Home Care and then pursued her dream into energy therapy. She did Reiki, Hypnotherapy, and Pre-natal care and so much more. She absolutely loved babies and was widely known as a baby whisperer. She was currently working on her Master’s at Lifestyle Prescriptions.

She loved learning, continually trying to better understand how best to help those around her. She devoted her life to her family and was energized by the time she spent with them. Even if it largely consisted of being reminded how to connect to her email.

She had an amazing sense of humour, even though she couldn’t tell a joke. She was always ready to talk, and usually for much longer than you were.

She is predeceased by her father, Leonard Fraser, and her inspirations, Gandhi and Mother Theresa.

She is survived by her husband, Eldon, her mother, Muriel Fraser, her four children; Amber ‘Sis’ (Adrian), Cale ‘Caleb’ (Brittany), Tate ‘Tater’ (Kritika), Drew ‘Shithead’ (Wendy); her three grandsons, Emmett, Corbyn and Aden, and two grand-babies expected at Christmas. Also, all her siblings, nieces and nephews.

She was a light that shone incredibly bright, even while her clothes remained various shades of brown. She had so much love to give, her heart couldn’t keep up, she will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, if feeling compelled to donate, please do so to the YWCA Harbour House in Lethbridge where she volunteered for many years.

A Celebration of Cindy’s Life will be held on Friday, October 1st, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Hubka Farm. Secondary HWY 520 to Range Road 243, north to twp rd 130, west 1/4 mile on the north side of the road. Civic address 243016 twp rd 130

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

1-844-ZENTNER

Joseph “Joe” Polgar

1933 – 2021

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Polgar of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Barbara “Barb” Polgar, passed away in Lethbridge on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at the age of 88 years.

A Visitation will be held at 10:00 am, on Friday, October 1, 2021, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, October 1, 2021, at MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY, 1210 Scenic Dr S, Lethbridge, Alberta.

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

PONCSAK, Michael

1967 – 2021

It is with great sadness that Michael Csaba Poncsak of Lacombe passed away unexpectedly on September 19th, 2021 at the age of 54 years.

Michael is survived by loving children, Sam (Cheyenne), Haley & Chloe; grandson, Jackson; mother, Gizella; brother, Mark; niece, Olivia; extended family and an abundance of friends.

He is predeceased by father, Bela Poncsak

Michael was born August 27, 1967, in Barnsley, England to Bela and Gizella Poncsak. His father was a miner, and his mother was an entrepreneur. They later moved to Canada in his early childhood.

Mike spent summers as a child with his grandparents and cousins in remote areas of Hungary. He graduated from Lethbridge High School in 1985 and became a welder, earning a grade ‘B’ Pressure Welder Certificate of Competency. He later attended college at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, studying power engineering. After graduation, Michael joined the Prentiss team where he has worked for 26 years.

His interests included sledding, quadding and camping. Mike spent lots of time on the acreage with family and friends visiting in the shop or on the deck. You could always count on him to lend a helping hand and enjoyed the challenge of fixing things even when they may not have been broken. He was a proud father to his three children and loved to celebrate their accomplishments. His memory will live on through them.

A Public Viewing will take place on Friday, October 1, 2021, at 7pm at Wilson’s Funeral Chapel, 6120 Hwy 2A, Lacombe Alberta. The family would like to welcome all friends and loved ones to join; in accordance with government regulations, a maximum of 50 people may be in attendance at any time. The Service will be recorded for those unable to attend in person.

Special thanks to the Red Deer Regional ICU Hospital staff.

Memorial donations can be made to Red Deer Regional Health Foundation http://www.rdrhfoundation.com

Condolences may be made by visiting http://www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca

SWEDER

RICHARD SWEDER, beloved husband of Joyce Sweder, of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at home, on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the age of 71 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Running Crane – White Quills

Beverly “Tiny” Frances Running Crane, nee White Quills, passed away at the LPAC Hospital in Billings, Montana on September 22, 2021 at the age of 62 years.

A time to pay your respects will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 pm. Interment to follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery.

To send a condolence or Watch the Funeral please visit

http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.

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