TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on April 26, 2022.

FORNEFETT

ERIKA ANNA FORNEFETT, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Walter Otto Fornefett, passed away peacefully at St. Therese Villa, on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the age of 93 years.

Besides her loving husband of 72 years, she is survived by her daughter Barbara Gommeringer (Allen) of Calgary and children Mark Gommeringer (Kathleen) of Calgary, Krista Gommeringer of Surrey BC, daughter Rita Perry of Lethbridge and children Tannis Perry (Ricardo Villanueva) and their son Thiago of Victoria BC, Lisa Perry (Scott Armstrong) of Calgary, and son Harry Fornefett (Tammy) of Lethbridge – Children: Logan Lawrence of Medicine Hat, Ashlyn Lawrence of Medicine Hat, Jazlynn Fornefett of Lethbridge She is also survived by a sister Lotte Stein of Lethbridge and brother Horst Mastag of Calgary, five nieces and nephews and their families in Lethbridge and Calgary, and three nieces and nephews and their families in Germany.

She was predeceased by parents, Ernest and Anna Mastag, and brother-in-law, Ludwig Stein.

Erika immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1952 at the age of 23 to start a new life with her beloved husband, Walter. After several weeks at sea, the ship docked in Quebec City and they made their way via train to Southern Alberta, where they planted roots and raised a family. They worked hard the first two years hoeing sugar beets in the Raymond area. Eventually, they moved to Lethbridge where they resided until Erika’s passing. Erika was a homemaker all her life but also enjoyed working part-time at Eaton’s restaurant for 20 years after her children were grown.

Erika had a wonderful life. She worked tirelessly to make a good home for her family, which she loved more than anything. Erika instilled strong family values in her children and reaped what she sowed. When grandchildren came along, this was a major life event for her, as she finally reached the milestone of becoming “Oma”. She wanted to spend as much time with them as possible and made sure they were loved in a way that only Oma can do. She spent many hours playing with them when they were young, making their favorite meals including “Oma cake”, and having them for sleepovers. The house was always filled with love and laughter when Oma was there. She reached another life milestone when she was blessed with her precious great grandchild, Thiago, whom she was able to meet and hold before her passing.

When Erika wasn’t busy with grandchildren, you could find her either in her lovely flower garden also known as “Fornefett Park”, playing beautiful music on her accordion, dancing the night away at the German Canadian Club with Walter, or enjoying “Kaffee und Kuchen” with family or friends. Erika touched so many people’s lives in a special and meaningful way. The world was a better place because of the wonderful, loving, and caring wife, mother, Oma, sister, aunt, friend, and role model that Erika was to so many people. Rest in Peace forever beautiful Erika. Until we meet again.

A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be announced. In memory of Erika Anna Fornefett, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation (hsf.donorportal.ca)

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

Elsie Groves

1927 – 2022

Mrs. Elsie Groves of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Maurice Groves, passed away at St. Therese Villa, on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at the age of 94 years.

Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.

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

HEPPLER

ROBERT HEPPLER, the beloved husband of Hazel Heppler of Warner, passed away in Raymond on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022, at the age of 86 years.

Arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

JANZEN

Mary (Dyck) Janzen of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Peter Janzen, died peacefully at St. Therese Villa on Tuesday April 19, 2022 at the age of 84.

A memorial service will be held at Lethbridge Mennonite Church on May 7th at 2:00 pm.

Thank you to the staff at St. Therese Villa and Dr. Peter Koegler for loving and compassionate care for Mary.

Cremation entrusted to Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home.

KEMERI

ETELKA “ETHEL” EVE KEMERI (ZOMBORI), passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the St Michael’s Health Centre on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at the age of 82 years.

A Celebration of Ethel’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825-32nd Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with Pat Siedlecki officiating. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Ethel’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Ethel will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Frank, in a private family Graveside Service in Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ethel may be made to the Alzheimer Society, #40, 1202-2nd Ave. South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0E3 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, #200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

Qiu Yue Li

1930 – 2022

Mrs. Qiu Yue Li of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Mr. Ji Tian Zhong, passed away at Extendicare Fairmont on Friday, April 22, 2022 at the age of 91 years.

Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.

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

MARTEN

MARIA MARTEN (née Gruss) passed away peacefully at Fairmont Extendicare, on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the age of 90 years.

Maria is survived by her children, Renate, Connelia (David) and Karl (Charlotte); grandchildren, Lindsay, Karina (Boyd), Kris (Jody), Skye (Richard) and Iain and great-grandchildren, Bryson, Breanna, Caderick and Dallin. She is also survived by her brother Karl-Heinz (Gudrun) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maria was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Otto Marten who passed away in May 2020, as well as her parents Karl and Anna Gruss, siblings Adolf, Annemarie, Lydia, Hanni, Wilhelm, and Arthur and parents-in-law Karl and Frieda Marten.

Maria was born September 25, 1931 in Koenigswald, Sudetenland, Germany, one of eight children to Karl and Anna Gruss. Growing up during the second world war was difficult and incredible challenging. She and her family had to endure many things.

Maria met Otto at a dance on May 1, 1949, fell in love and dated for five years before getting married on May 22, 1954 in Germany. In 1955, the couple immigrated to Canada. Maria joined Otto at one of the first jobs, working at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton. They then moved to Lethbridge, Alberta where they started their family.

Together, Maria and Otto started a landscaping business. Maria was a partner in Otto Marten Landscaping, a business they owned and operated for over 45 years until they retired. Maria helped run the business and worked in the field, laying sod and paving stones, and often working harder and faster than the hired hands. The paving stones to the entrance of the Japanese garden, and Fort Whoop-up, were all placed by Maria. She was a tough lady and a hard worker!

Maria went out of her way to be helpful to the people around her and did her best to assist when there were needs to be met in her community. She would help newcomers to Canada from Germany with furniture and all the other things needed to establish a new home. She was quick to throw on her leather gloves to help with any tough jobs that needed doing and was also glad to lend an ear and listen to your troubles.

Maria was an active member in the German Canadian Club and was on the executive board, where she helped for many years. Maria loved being around people and baked the most beautiful German cakes you ever laid your eyes on or sunk your teeth into. She often hosted dinner parties for over 35 people and served her beautiful cakes as dessert.

She was incredibly proud of her German heritage, and always looked forward to attending Oktoberfest every year in the city. Maria always arrived in her Dirndl and her huge beer glass; many people took pictures of her and Otto at Oktoberfest.

Maria was truly an extraordinary woman with many talents, it seemed she could do almost anything. She sang, wrote poetry and was very artistic. But most of all, she was the best Mamma and Oma anyone could ever have!

A Funeral Service will be held at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 20 Rocky Mountain Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Lee Loveridge officiating. The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Maria’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Following the service, Maria will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Otto in Royal View Cemetery.

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

ORTHNER

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that the family of Gerry Orthner announce his passing on April 21, 2022, at the age of 80. Although Gerry faced and endured many health challenges in recent years, he never lost his constant smile or his happy outlook. He was always quick to tease with a mischievous twinkle. His loving heart touched many and he will be forever missed. The world was a better place with him in it.

Gerry will be dearly missed by his wife of 59 years, Sharon, his son Aaron (Michele) and their children Nathan and Alex and grandson Freddy, his daughter Terri (Tim)Wyatt and their children Vance (Stephanie) Wyatt and Kami (Cody) Harrison and his great granddaughters Aubree Grace and Charlie Rose Harrison.

Son of Karl and Anna, Gerry was the sixth of 7 children. He leaves behind his sister Lil and brother Don, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and many wonderful cherished friends.

As per Gerry’s request there will be no funeral service. We would like to ask everyone to collectively light a candle in his memory on Sunday, May 1at 4 P.M. Because he loved woodworking and his beautiful barnboard frames were loved and requested by many, our family would like to request that friends and family plant a tree or beautiful flower in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimers Society.

We would like to recognize and thank the staff at Season’s memory care for their amazing care and compassion.

Special thanks to Larry Snodgrass and Snodgrass Funeral Homes for their kindness.

Messages of condolence to the family and memories can be shared at http://www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements in Care of

Snodgrass Funeral Home Okotoks 403-938-3111.

PICKERING

EVELYN PICKERING, beloved wife of the late Irvine Pickering, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at the age of 93 years.

Arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

ROBINSON

GARRY NORTON ROBINSON, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Betty Anne Robinson, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at the age of 81 years.

Arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

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