WEDNESDAY, October 20, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on October 20, 2021.

BREEN

THOMAS WALTER BREEN passed away suddenly on October 13, 2021 at Good Samaritans Garden Vista in Magrath at the age of 96. He was born and raised in Del Bonita, AB, where he farmed until he retired to Magrath in 2005.

Thomas is survived by his sister, Betty Pedersen of Chilliwack, BC; her children Rita Linden, Nels Pedersen and Terry (Brenda) Pedersen; niece and caretaker, Michelene Stocker of Lethbridge AB; her children Craig (Judy) Stocker, of Raymond, AB and Sandra (Peter) Goodall of Summerland, BC; nephew Lonny (Shirley) Madison of Stirling, AB; his children Shelly (Ken) Holzli and Danna (Darcy) Ferguson, as well as numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents Fred and Lilian Breen; sisters Hazel Madison and Gladys Leishman; brother Charlie Breen, and two brothers-in-law, Eric Pedersen and Reese Leishman.

When Tom was 19, with both his parents gone, he had to take over running the farm and providing for his siblings. He also worked on the oil well to help pay the bills. In the later years, his sister Hazel and her 2 children moved in with Tom and he helped raise them. In 2005, Tom and Hazel retired and moved to Magrath. Eventually Tom went into the Diamond Willow. He really enjoyed his time there playing pool, bowling, crib and visiting with the people. In 2018, he moved to Garden Vista where he improved his pool skills and often said “how lucky he was to be living in such a great place.”

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME (2825 32nd Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta) at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Archmount Cemetery, on the west side. Due to Covid restrictions, seating is limited. Please RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777, or by email to care@ cornerstonefh.ca. The service will be Live Streamed, and available to view via Tom’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

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

COTTON

ANTHONY “SNAGO” LYNDON COTTON passed away in Lethbridge, AB on October 10, 2021 at the age of 52 years.

The Wake Service will be from 6:00 – 11:00 pm on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Tanner Center, Cardston. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 11:00 am at Legacy Funeral Home. (Due to Covid restrictions, 50 people only). Interment to take place in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Blood Reserve.

To send condolences go to http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

Lorna Francis Gwatkin

1947 – 2021

Miss Lorna Francis Gwatkin of Lethbridge, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the age of 74 years.

Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

KATAN (BANACK)

DELLA KATAN (BANACK) passed away at the Good Samaritans Park Meadows, on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the age of 95 years.

Della leaves to mourn her children: Delbert (Denise) of Calgary, Deborah Morgan of Lethbridge, Kerry (Diane) of Lethbridge, Barry (Jolayne) of Lethbridge and Layton (Jae Jae) of Mountain View; and siblings: Audrey (Dale) Wilson, Myrna Olshaski, Lloyd (Edna) Mercer and Clayton (Diane) Mercer, and sister-in-law Kay (Ernie) Mercer. Della was the proud grandma to 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Della was predeceased by her oldest son Daniel and her brothers Ernie and Don.

Della Joy was born the eldest child of Marion and Ernest Mercer in the McNally district. Della attended White School. After graduation, she married Louis Banack, the hired man. She and Louis operated school busses that transported the rural students to White School for two years. Following that endeavor, Louis, Ky Coupland and Della and Danny did custom combine work that took them to Kansas. When the returned, Della and Lou purchased a farm in the Circle Hill area, east of Enchant. Della and Lou farmed for eighteen years. They left the farm and Lou became a welder and worked for Noble Blade. Of course, with six children, Della’s life was fulfilled with being a mom and homemaker.

Following Lou’s death from A.L.S., Della tried clerking in retail. Her last work place was as a caretaker helper for the Public School District.

Della met a gentleman, Pete Katan, and was happy with their common goals of travelling. They were married sixty days when Pete lost his life in an industrial accident. Della’s years as a traveller did continue. She had a great trip to England, Scotland and Wales. After that experience, Della chose to travel Alberta in her motorhome with her dog, Cindy. Her favourite areas were the Kananaskis and Lynx Creek.

Della was an avid reader and enjoyed novels with a “little spice.”

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Della, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Society (gss.org/donate/) and choose Park Meadows Village – Lethbridge.

A Celebration of Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 2:00 pm with Pat Siedlecki officiating. Please contact Cornerstone Funeral Home to RSVP at 403-381-7777.

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

KUNST

JOHN KUNST, of Lethbridge, beloved partner of Lisa Waage, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the age of 86 years.

John is survived by his loving partner Lisa, and her family Mark (Sharlene), Debbie, and grandsons Kaelen, Raegen, and Jaden; his sister Lydia; brothers-in-law Karl, Helmut (Jan), and sisters-in-law Lena and Trudy (Roy), as well as all of their extended families.

He was predeceased by his brother Fred; Sister Ida; brothers-in-law Andy and Matt, and granddaughter Beckie.

At John’s request, no formal Funeral Service will be held.

In memory of John, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society (www.alzheimer.ca /donate)

Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

OKAMURA

DR. TATSUO OKAMURA passed away at the hospital on October 13, 2021 in Lethbridge, Alberta. “Tats” battled, for the last two years, to recover from a knee replacement. He approached most challenges in life with hard work, perseverance and a never quit attitude. Unfortunately, despite all of his efforts he was unable to regain his independent lifestyle.

Tats was born in Strawberry Hill (Delta), British Columbia in 1936. The Okamura family was sent to Elie, Manitoba during the relocation of Japanese Canadians from BC. Tats grew up in Winnipeg where he completed his dental degree at the University of Manitoba in 1964. He was the youngest of 6 born to Mitsu and Magoichi Okamura. Tats was predeceased by brothers Mas / Yoshiyuki / Yukio and sisters, Kim / Chiyeko. He is survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Kiyo Okamura (Mas), Jean Okamura (Yukio) and his many nieces & nephews.

Tats always spoke fondly of his life and friends in Winnipeg. He moved to Lethbridge after graduation where he devoted his life to helping the patients of his 13th Street dental practice.

Tats loved playing hockey since his childhood. He played throughout his life and had plans to return to playing after his knee surgery. He enjoyed both the sport and the time spent with his hockey buddies. Tats’s legacy is his extensive family. He inspired 7 of his nieces & nephews to follow in his footsteps to become dentists.

Being with family as well as his coffee friends brought him joy. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and patients. The family wishes to express our thanks to Herman, Tom, Keith, Raynard, John, Amanda and his caregivers Shelley, Sujan and Robin.

As per his request no formal service will be held.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

DARLENE ROSE SMITH

(NEE HUISMAN)

1942 – 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved, Darlene Rose Smith (nee Huisman) on October 17, 2021, at the age of 79 years.

Darlene is survived by her loving and devoted partner and husband of 41 years, Rick; 3 children and their families; daughter Michelle (Dana) Lee, grandchildren Brittany (Neal) Sunderland, Jesse (Kelly), Alyssa (Trevor) Maskey, daughter Roxanne (George) Dalton, grandchildren Braden, Kyle (Jessica); son Darren Collins, grandchildren Keiyvan (Roshni) Heslehurst, Kristopher (Lyssa), Kai, as well as 5 great grandchildren. Also to mourn her is one brother Robert (Dolores); three sisters-in-law Connie (Roger) McMullin, Cathy (Merrill) Schweitzer, Lavonn Mutch; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; one brother Lloyd; and their beloved cat (our four-legged furry brother) Yo-Yo.

Darlene was the daughter of Albert and Rose. She grew up on the family farm, north of Foremost. She was taught to work hard and to do it the right way, both in the home with her mom and also in the fields helping her dad. Darlene moved into Lethbridge when she was 18 to go to secretarial school, where she met and married her first husband, Donald Collins. She raised her 3 children as a single mother and worked darn hard making sure things were done to the best of her ability. She will forever have our eternal respect and love.

Darlene was a very thoughtful, kind and loving person – with everyone, and more so with her family. She was taught she was a renowned perfectionist and took pride with the work she did for her home and yard. Darlene worked hard to make sure that everything was outstanding – for every reason. She was the family’s “Energizer Bunny”. After the sudden, unexpected death of a young niece and to honor her, Darlene designed and created their “Christmas House”. For over 25 years, many people brought their families to enjoy the lights and sights and to walk through the yard. Through the many donations they received, they supported different charities (MADD, Children’s Wish Foundation, Lethbridge Regional Hospital – Children’s Ward, plus many more) each year and were able to help fulfill many children’s wishes. Darlene had a wide variety of interests – cooking, sewing, crafting, home and yard improvements – you name it and she could figure out ow to accomplish it! She loved to have fun and often drove down the street like Cruella De Vil, to “embarrass” her children (and even grandchildren) and their friends, not knowing that everyone actually loved it. Mom was great! Darlene was well respected in the Construction Industry, as she worked alongside Rick with their painting business. The contractors knew their jobs would be completed on time and the quality of their work was incomparable. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Our family also wishes to acknowledge the quick response and care from the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Dept. 3 and the doctors and nurses from both the Lethbridge Regional Hospital and Foothills Cardiac Intensive Care Unit 103A, for their knowledge, experience and compassion. Also, a special thank you to Rev. Fr. Sajo Jacob – Diocese of Calgary, for performing the sacraments as the Last Rites of the Catholic Church, for Darlene.

A private Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date, for family and invited guests.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Darlene’s memory to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences can be sent to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

STANDING ALONE

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our dear son, father and husband, Alton Kohbe Shae Standing Alone at the tender age of 24 years.

He will be sadly missed by his parents, Patricia (Lee) Standing Alone and Theodore T.J. (Darci) Ramsey; his wife Mariah Shouting and his loving daughters Kristal Rhiannon Mavis and Amaia Darlene Reed Standing Alone.

A candle light vigil service will be on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 4:30 pm in townsite at Lori Eagle Plume residence house #252. A wake service will be held on Tuesday October 26, 2021 from 5:00-11:00 pm at Tanner Senior Centre, Cardston. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Legacy Funeral Home with Father Pawel Andrasz officiating. Interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Blood Reserve, Alberta

To send condolences or watch

online go to

http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

VEENENDAAL

On Saturday, October 16th, 2021, our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, JOHANNES (HANS) VEENENDAAL, went home to be with his Heavenly Father, at 82 years of age.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of almost 60 years, Fimke Veenendaal and children, Bert Veenendaal, Theresa Lindhout, Adrian Veenendaal, Brian Veenendaal, Niki Kione, Perry Veenendaal, Lindsey Veenendaal and Jerome Veenendaal, their spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his siblings and siblings in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

Hans was born in Leusden, The Netherlands, where he spent the first 17 years of his life. He immigrated to Canada in 1956 with his parents and siblings, trusting that it would bring better agricultural economic opportunities for the growing family. Shortly after arriving in the Carman, Manitoba area, Hans met his wife, Fimke Bergsma. They were married on November 9th, 1961. Hans’ heart has always been in farming and his career developed around hobby farms, while he was recreation director in the town of Carman, to his own hog farm, and then to selling feed to farmers in southern Manitoba. In 1991, Hans and Fimke moved to Coaldale, Alberta, where he first worked as a feed salesman and later as a realtor assisting many families to immigrant from Holland to Southern Alberta. Hans had a passion for making people comfortable and he used his personality, experience, and skills to help families adjust to a new culture and home in a new country. His love for people, sense of humor and most of all his love for his Lord and Savior has enriched his life and been a blessing to his family, friends, and those he met in his journey here on this earth.

A Come and Go Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, October 21st, 2021 from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited to 50 guests at a time. Kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca

A Family Graveside Service will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 9:30 A.M. The graveside will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Hans’ obituary on the Cornerstone website.

A Memorial Service will follow at TRINITY REFORMED CHURCH, 1100 – 40 Avenue North, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, October 22nd, 2021 at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. John van Eyk officiating. The service will also be streamed online at http://www.trinity.ca.

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

WOODWARD, Jackalene

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Jackalene LaVeve Woodward on October 17th, 2021 at the age of 85 years. She was the loving wife of Ray Woodward of Lethbridge.

Friends are invited to visit with the family at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Copperwood Chapel, 9 Keystone Terrace W, Lethbridge, on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Due to Covid 19, a Private Family Service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be held in the Archmount Cemetery.

The family invites those that wish to watch the service, to visit http://www.generationsfh.ca and scrolling to the bottom of Jackalene’s obituary.

To share condolences and view tributes, please visit

http://www.generationsfh.ca

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