SUNDAY, December 26, 2021

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on December 26, 2021.

BIG HEAD – BRAVE ROCK

Carl Dion Big Head – Brave Rock, passed away on December 20, 2021 in Lethbridge, AB at the age of 39 years.

A Wake service will be held at White Calf Hall, Blood Reserve on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm (rotating of 50 people every 30 minutes). The Funeral service will follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, South Hill Chapel, 950 Main Street, Cardston on Wednesday, December 29 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Blood Band Cemetery, Blood Reserve, AB.

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

DE VRIES

ADRIAN DE VRIES, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Bertha De Vries, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the age of 91 years.

Adrian was born April 8, 1930, in Groningen, The Netherlands. He was the youngest of a family of twelve. He immigrated to Canada in the early 1950’s. He met the love of his life, Albertha Dam, and they married February 5, 1959. They settled in Lethbridge, where he resided until his passing.

Family and friends were very important to Adrian, which he showed through all the connections he kept in The Netherlands and here at home. He passed away peacefully with a special friend by his side.

Adrian cared deeply for the Christian community. This was prevalent in his involvement with the Mission Thrift Store and Church. Through his love of music, he became a member of the Christian Men’s Choir. During the last few years, he enjoyed living at Elim Village and valued the staff and friendships he made there. He kept busy with his woodworking and building and planning the garden.

He is survived by his loving wife Albertha, his sister-in-law Janny De Vries (Arie), and numerous nephews and nieces in The Netherlands. Also left to mourn are his special friends, whom he called his family, Lemien Deemter and family, Bill and Laura Hofsink and family, Henk and Rita Visscher, as well as Adrian and Bertha’s “adopted” grandchildren Greta (Adrian) Pau, Alma (Alexander) Grootelaar, Suzanna Visscher, and Janice (Lucas) Ninaco and family.

Adrian was loved by all who knew him.

We give a special thank you to the staff and residents of Elim Village for their care and friendship of Adrian.

Interment will be held prior to the Service at Mountain View Cemetery on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 1:15 PM. The Graveside Service will be livestreamed and available to view via Adrian’s obituary page on the Cornerstone website.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Westminster Chapel Presbyterian Church (329 19th Street North, Lethbridge, AB) on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Rohan Crown officiating. The Service will be livestreamed and available via the chapel’s website (westminsterchapelpca.ca). Covid regulations will be observed for those in attendance.

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

Steve Dimnik

1928 – 2021

Steve was one of ten children born to Joseph and Maria Dimnik in Slovenija. WWII resulted in the family fleeing Slovenija to Austria. After four years in a Displaced Persons camp, he and other family members immigrated to Canada to work as farm labourers. Upon fulfilling this commitment, Steve began working as a trained journeyman carpenter. Through the years he continued to hone his craft of finishing carpentry and became well known for his excellent work. Much of his handiwork still adorns buildings and homes throughout Lethbridge and surrounding areas. Steve was defined by his love for his wife of 67 years and his desire to make the best possible life for his family. He savoured the simple things in life. He had a playful and mischievous side that endeared him to those who knew him. Steve’s generosity coupled with his outgoing personality and willingness to help others touched many hearts. Steve was predeceased by his parents and nine siblings.

He is survived by his wife (Ann); his children Leo (Susan) and Mark (Barbara); his grandchildren Nadine (Nicholas), Jason (Jenna), Andrea (Brendan), Ben, Jackson, Jonah; and his great grandchildren Nathaniel, Cameron, Briella, Elias and Kinsley. The family wishes to thank the excellent care provided over the years by Drs. Zielkie and Strank.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC PARISH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta with Father Kevin Tumback, celebrant. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

The family invites those who wish to view the service via livestream to do so by going to

https://www.tikilive.com/channel/allsaintsparish

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

Henry Walter Thiessen

April 28, 1934; Coaldale, AB

December 16, 2021; Edmonton, AB

Henry passed away leaving his dear wife Margon, son Glenn, daughter Monica, grandchildren Tessa, Alejandra, Liam; and siblings Heidi (Rob Dawson), Arnold, sister- in- law Tina, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents Abram and Susie (Martens); brothers John (Helen), Ernie, Arthur (Nettie), and Abe.

Henry was raised on an irrigated farm near Lethbridge, completed high school at Rosthern Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at University of Saskatchewan, and his Master of Agriculture at Colorado State University. He worked for the Alberta provincial government in various progressive capacities, beginning his career as a Soils Investigator, to finish as Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environment and Alberta Native Affairs Secretariat. After an early retirement, he founded a successful consultancy that provided litigation support, research, and expert witness services to support government initiatives and industrial developments.

Henry, Margon, Glenn and Monica were avid skiers and made frequent travels to Europe, Hawaii, and Cuba. At Henry’s request, there will be no funeral service; cremation has taken place and a living memory tree will be planted in Fish Creek Park.

MANY BEARS

GUSTAVE SHERWIN MANY BEARS, “Kaahtoi’ poyi”, passed away on December 15, 2021 in Cardston, AB at the age of 69 years.

A Wake Service will be held on Monday, December 27 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 28 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve. Interment in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off.

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

NIKKEL

ANNE NIKKEL, beloved wife of John Nikkel, of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at the age of 83 years.

Annie Nikkel – mother, sister, daughter, grandma, great-grandma, pet mama, gardener extraordinaire – what a ‘spicy’ lady. She was born south of Swift Current in the small village of Cortez, Saskatchewan on August 10th, 1938 as the second youngest of 16 children; predeceased by eight brothers and four sisters. Left to celebrate her life is her husband John Nikkel, brother Harry (Marilyn) Heinrichs, sister Gerta Friesen, and sister Sally Wiebe, daughter Shirley (Barry) Schmidt, daughter Jane (Owen) Rapuano, son Jerry (Alison) Nikkel, son Jim (Diane) Nikkel, son John (Kim) Nikkel, and daughter Bonnie (Randy) Matson, and many special nieces and nephews, but favourites will not be specially named.

She spent much of her childhood on a little farm outside of Barnwell, and was responsible for learning how to cook for the family with her mama. She was an avid supporter of many charities and programs including Operation Christmas Child, where she put together over 100 boxes for many Christmases. She had a very generous heart and was always searching for ways to help those in need. As a young child, she loved to sing her heart out with her sister Gerta and relax on a swing. As time went on, she continued to swing and held many heartfelt conversations with her grandkids there. She was an avid follower of Christ and believed it was her calling to share his message. Sometimes this meant $1 to each bible verse memorized to her grandkids, but this also meant they would not forget!

Annie thought it was important to speak up if she did not agree with something and would stick up for the underdog. She was known for being honest and outspoken, but she did it with everyone’s best interests in mind. She made it her mission to get the entire extended family together for Easter and Christmas, where she utilized her excellent culinary skills for her family to enjoy. Although not her favourite treat, she always had a ‘secret’ closet full of John’s candy that the grandkids could steal from once per visit (she kept the Toffifees for herself).

A sincere thank you to all of the support that homecare provided, as well as to Christina Robertson and Jinky Barrios for excellent care.

A Private Family Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Gary Burke officiating. The Service will be live streamed and may be accessed via Anne’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Anne will be laid to rest in the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery.

We kindly request that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to her favourite charity, World Vision (worldvision.ca), or a charity of your choice.

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

John Reimer

1940 – 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce that John Werner Reimer of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at Cedar Creek Adaptacare on December 20, 2021 at the age of 81 years.

John was born March 3, 1940, in Coaldale, AB. Together with his wife Elsie they farmed up until retirement in 2014, at which time they moved to Lethbridge.

John will be missed by his loving wife, Elsie (Kopp), his children Cheryl (Scott) Stanley and Laura (Joe) Mrak. His grandchildren where very special to him. Many hours were spent enjoying his grandkids sporting events, dance performances and school activities. He will be missed by each one of them. Grandpa will live in the hearts of Jeremy (May), Larissa (Russell), Kason and Cora. John is also survived and dearly missed by his sister (Anne), brother (Henry), sister in laws, brother in laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

We as a family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Weston and the staff at Adaptacare for the awesome care and compassion that they showed John and his family in the short time that he was in their care.

A private family Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. If you wish to join in on the celebration of John, please follow the link below https://www. mbfunerals.com/obituary/John-Reimer and scroll to the bottom of the obituary.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Camp Evergreen Capital Project (www.camp-evergreen.com/ support-us) as this was near to John’s heart.

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

Comments are closed.