FRIDAY, October 1, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on October 1, 2021.

DEHEER

GERARD “GERRY” DEHEER, beloved husband of Coby DeHeer, passed away peacefully with family by his side at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Friday, September 24, 2021, at the age of 91 years.

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.

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

ORR

LYNN DEAN ORR, beloved husband of Mrs. Maureen Orr, passed away in Lethbridge on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the age of 92 years.

Friends may meet with the family on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fort Macleod Chapel ONLY.

Funeral Services will be on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Fort Macleod Chapel. Interment will follow in the Orton Cemetery.

Visit http://www.generationsfh.ca to send condolences

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.

ROY

MELBA EDNA ROY (Long Heppler) passed away at St Therese Villa in Lethbridge, Alberta, on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the age of 90 years.

Melba is survived by her daughter Debra Heppler, granddaughter Loreen (Jeremy) John, great- grandchildren Marcus Robertson, Jesse (Kayla) John and Ryan John, her sisters Evelyn Anderson, Leora (Russell) Scratch and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her daughters Maureen (Marnie) Heppler and Gayle Elmes (Heppler), her husband Dr. Douglas Roy, her parents Oris and Hazel Long, her brothers Vernon Long, Leland Long, Leonard Long and sister Carol McCormick.

Melba was born on February 2, 1931 in Taber and resided at the family farm in Barnwell, Alberta. Melba and her first husband Lloyd Heppler started Hepp’s Auto Wreckers in 1952 and she eventually went on to own it until 2008. Her career also involved being a realtor as well as other business ventures and a property owner. She loved visiting family on the island and in California whenever she could. Mel was also a talented artist and wood carver, travelling around (sometimes with Doug on his Gold Wing), taking pictures to paint and finding pieces of wood to carve. Her works will be treasured by family and friends forever, her kindness and generosity never forgotten.

She resided at St. Therese Villa for the past six years and the family would like to thank the staff for their exceptional care. A special thanks to the recreation team who through all the activities, especially during the pandemic, kept her in touch with what she loved; her family, nature, animals and art.

A private family gathering will be held at a later date.

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

Jackie Lyn Sawa (Williamson)

March 21, 1949 – September 26, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mom, grandma, sister, auntie, “coach” and teacher; Jackie Lyn Sawa, at the young age of 72 years old.

She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Center on Sunday, September 26, 2021 after a short battle with cancer.

Jackie was the daughter of the late Jack and Sybil Williamson. She was born in Lethbridge and raised within the surrounding area.

Jackie’s greatest love was her family, especially her husband of 53 years, Roy Sawa, and their three children, daughters Tracy (Rob) and Kelly, and son Kim (Marnie) Sawa, as well as her grandchildren Rick, Kyla, Tyler, Kamryn, Tanner and Graysen.

Some of Jackie’s favorite pastimes included, playing and coaching ladies slow-pitch, bowling, golfing, baking (best butter tarts and lemon meringue pie EVER), and camping with family and friends.

Jackie was employed with the Lethbridge School District as a Teacher’s Aide for 25 years. All of her students were her children in her heart and the kids loved her as much as she loved them.

Jackie is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren, her sister Linda (Al) Clements and four brothers: Jamie (Mary) Williamson, Brian (Rita) Williamson, Jeff (Erin) Williamson, and Rory (Dee) Williamson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

Jackie was predeceased by her parents Jack and Sybil Williamson and youngest sibling Juanita Williamson.

She will be forever missed by her family, friends, and past students.

Her family would especially like to thank the amazing doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Michael’s Covenant – Palliative Care Unit, who provided our mom with all their loving care during her stay there.

“Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day. But there’s an ache within my heart that will never go away.” If Roses Grow in Heaven, by Dolores M. Garcia

The family will have a private family “Celebration of Life” at a later date.

Thanks for everything Mom, we love you, rest easy.

Condolences can be sent to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

Mike Semenok

1928 – 2021

Mr. Mike Semenok of Coaldale, beloved husband of Mrs. Lil Semenok, passed away at St. Michael’s Palliative Care on Monday, September 27, 2021, at the age of 93 years.

Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Riverview Chapel.

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

STANGROOM, Marietta Louise

(Mary Lou)

Born: January 13, 1929

in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Died: September 20, 2021

in Lethbridge, Alberta

Mary Lou Stangroom was known for her bursts of laughter and infectious smile. At least one of her daughters inherited that laugh. She grew up a favoured youngest daughter in Regina with a Survey Engineer father, doting mother and an older sister Dorothy, who married young and moved to Newfoundland with her pilot husband, leaving Mary Lou to care for her ailing mother. Irene Martyn passed away when Mary Lou was only nineteen. Perhaps this is why she decided to go to Vancouver in 1950 to become a nurse. She met her husband, Robert (Bob) there and married in 1955. Through a series of job changes, Mary Lou and Bob went on a cross country odyssey from Nelson, BC, where daughter Randi was born in 1957, to Ottawa where Karen and Mary Kay came into the world. The family settled in Fredericton, NB when Bob landed a professorship at the University of New Brunswick. Mary Lou was very active for the next 20 years in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, where her Nanaimo Bar and Rhubarb Meringue Pie recipes were included in every cookbook. We heard her distinctive laugh at their charity meetings at our home, long after we were supposed to be asleep. Bob’s Phys Ed students were always welcome at her home for a delicious meal, especially the foreign students who couldn’t get home for holidays. Conversations around the dinner table always involved hilarity and advice with her three tired and hungry swimmers. Her sewing and knitting skills were also legendary… she produced matching housecoats for her girls at Christmas and beautiful sweaters for friends and, of course, family. Bob wore the elbows out of many of her creations. Three of her grandchildren wore an exquisitely knitted christening dress and blanket, to mention only a few. Her cross-stitch and crewel work adorned her home and those of her daughters. One grandchild even has a tattoo replicating a work of the flowers of Hawaii she made to remind her of a favorite trip to that state. There is a legacy of creativity she passed down to her daughters and grandchildren. Classical music was always playing in her home, especially the Metropolitan Opera on Sunday afternoons. She played the piano and sang in the Choir in every city she lived in. Christ Church Cathedral Choir in Fredericton was one of her favorites and she made lifelong friends with several of its members. Mary Lou and Bob made many good friends over the 60 odd years of their marriage, mostly due to Mary Lou’s open, gregarious and feisty nature, as Bob was more quiet and reserved. Mary Lou was predeceased by Bob (June 2019) and will be forever missed by daughters Randi (Stewart) Ferguson, Karen (Robert) Snow and Mary Kay (Greg) Stangroom. Grandchildren Kenzie and Ellian Ferguson, Devon, Cameron and Liam Snow and Hannah Wing and Jackson Zubach will always remember their Nana. Mary Lou and Bob will be interred at Valleyview Memorial Gardens in Surrey, BC according to their wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Lou’s memory to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/ or to the World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/.

To express condolences and share memories, please visit:

http://www.mountainviewmemorial.ca.

Teuntje Veldman

1937 – 202

Psalm 145:3-5 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his

greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

TEUNTJE (TEUNY) VELDMAN, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend went home to her Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at the age of 83. Teuny was born in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands, on October 30, 1937. She was one of 9 children with 5 sisters and 3 brothers. Teuny went to school in Holland and then worked in an office building for 11 years until coming to Canada to visit her aunt and cousins in 1963. There she met her dearly beloved Klaas, who she married on April 2, 1964. Her remaining years were spent in faithful service to her Lord, her family, her church and her community.

Above all else, Teuny was known for her love of her precious Saviour. She spent much of her time reading her Bible and immersing herself in the study of the Reformed doctrines that she held dear. Her whole family knew that they were covered in her daily prayers, but they also knew she dedicated herself to praying for the lonely, the sick, the lost and missionaries by name. This translated into a life of service that included visiting the sick, the lonely and the elderly in her church as well as volunteering in various ways. Teuny treasured her family immensely, showing her love in countless ways to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each one knew for certain that they were special to her and they will miss her greatly. Although she left Holland in 1964, she maintained a close relationship with her dear siblings there through visits, letters, phone calls and video calls. Teuny enjoyed time spent with family and friends playing games, telling stories and sharing jokes. She was a vibrant lady with a great love for life. However, she also fully believed that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) She had full assurance in the promises of her Lord and Saviour.

Teuny was preceded in death by her loving husband Klaas Veldman, her precious grandson Nicholas, her parents Gerrit and Antje Voordendag, her parents-in-law Egbert and Grietje Veldman, brothers and sisters in-law Adriaan van der Klein, Bert Helsloot, Bruina Veldman, Hendrik and Wiek Veldman, Jan and Wimke Veldman, Frits and Grietje Visser, Bruin and Annie Veldman, Gerrit and Corrie Veldman, Harry Slagter, Derk Veldman, Ben and Jean Hendriks and close friend and cousin-in-law Herman Scheffer.

Teuny is survived by four children: Grace (Stan) Konynenbelt, Anne (Duane) Konynenbelt, Edgar (Elaine) Veldman and Gerald (Nicole) Veldman; twelve grandchildren: Alex (Contessa) Konynenbelt, Trevor (Julie) Konynenbelt, Danielle (David) Jensen, Rebecca (Dylan) Van Dyk, Stephanie (Matt) Dykstra, Davis (Anna) Konynenbelt, Kenton (Dani) Veldman, Hannah (Devin) Eekhoff, Evan (Brynelle) Veldman, Christian Veldman, Brittany Veldman and Caitlyn Veldman; and eight great grandchildren: Hudson Jensen, Sophia, Ava-Lynn, Levi and Lily Konynenbelt, Mayelle and Adaya Van Dyk and Quinn Dykstra. Teuny is also survived by her dear friend and cousin Riet Scheffer, brother and sisters-in-law Harm and Henny Veldman and Femmie Slagter and her beloved siblings in the Netherlands: Karel Voordendag, Jan (Mini) Voordendag, Jany Voordendag, Willy van der Klein, Riet Helsloot, Bas (Riet) Voordendag, Tine Voordendag and Leny (Ries) Euser along with all of her nephews, nieces and cousins both in Canada and in the Netherlands.

In lieu of flowers in memory of Teuny, donations may be made to Mid America Reformed Seminary (www.midamerica.edu).

Due to Covid restrictions, a private family service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed at trinityurc.ca

Teuntje was laid to rest prior to the service at Mountain View Cemetery during a Private Family Interment.

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

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