By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on January 10, 2023.
DOWSON, Russell “Russ”
RUSSELL “RUSS” DOWSON 1957 – 2022 Mr. Russell “Russ” Dowson of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Gail Cairnie, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the age of 65 years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at College Drive Community Church, 2710 College Dr S, Lethbridge, with Pastor Kimbal Martens officiating.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
CROW CHIEF, Dylan
CROW CHIEF Dylan Peter Crow Chief passed away on December 25, 2022 at Lethbridge, AB at the age of 35 years. A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
SHOUTING, Marlon
SHOUTING It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Marlon Blake Shouting on December 23rd, 2022 at the age of 36. Marlon leaves to mourn his loving family and friends.
The wake services will be held at the Tanner Center in Cardston, AB, on January 17th at 6pm. Funeral service will be held at the Tanner Center in Cardston, AB on January 18th at 1pm. Interment to follow at the Pioneer Cemetery on the Blood Reserve.
The family welcomes any friends of Marlon’s past and present that wish to come and pay their last respects and support the family in sending off our beloved brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and son.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
BOTTOLFSON, Paul
PAUL BOTTOLFSON 1933 – 2023 Paul Eugene Bottolfson, much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on January 5, 2023 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 14th, 2023 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. A livestream of the service can be found at http://www.mbfunerals.com
In Paul’s memory, donations can be made to Teen Challenge Alberta; https://www.tcalberta.ca/ or to Good Samaritan Park Meadows Village; https://gss.org/locations/park-meadows-village/
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
Martin, Lorraine
LORRAINE MARTIN 1949 – 2023 Lorraine Martin of Lethbridge passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6th, 2023, at home at the age of 73 years.
She is survived by her daughters Tina Forsyth and Kerri Martin; her granddaughters Sam and Lexi Forsyth and sister Jean (Dave) Bauman. She is predeceased by her parents Alfred Lang and Tina Lang, and her husband Willard Martin.
Born in Altona, Manitoba on November 29, 1949, she moved as a child to Alberta and was raised in Coaldale and Calgary. She married Willard Martin in 1972. They spent the majority of their lives together in Lethbridge, raising their two girls and running their businesses Allied Equipment (sold in 2000) and Westside Storage (sold in 2017).
Her grandchildren, cats and travelling were high among her many passions. She enjoyed life to the fullest and loved to laugh.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at CHRIST TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 416- 12 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta with Reverend Olivier Ravelojaona officiating.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make a donation to Lethbridge PAW Society, Box 255, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Y5.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
REYNARD, Beverley
BEVERLEY REYNARD 1946 – 2023 Beverley Reynard of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Kenneth Reynard, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the age of 76 years. She was surrounded by her beloved family at Chinook Regional Hospital.
She is mourned by her loving husband of 56 years, Ken; her son Kevin, his wife Deborah and their children; Hannah, Rowan, Preston, Elise, Ferris, Debora and Jeremy; her daughter Nicole Collum, and partner Sean Gerstenbuhler and her children Kevin, Heather and Mathew; sisters-in-law Jeanne Chartrand and Joanne Norlen; and brothers-in-law, Ed (Joyce) Reynard, Warren (Sharon) Reynard and Ray Reynard. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Bev was predeceased by her parents Alex Chartrand (1989) and Maggie Chartrand (2002): brother Don Chartrand (2009); sister Margaret Dowswell (2011); sister-in-law Thelma Reynard (2013), and brother-in-law Brian Reynard (2016).
Bev was born on June 22, 1946, in Oak point MB and moved to Kenora ON in 1957 at age 10. It was there, at age 14, she met the love of her life, Ken, and they were married on May 21st, 1966. Bev was a geriatric aid at the Pinecrest Home for the Aged until she retired in 2001. In May 2002, Ken and Bev moved west to Coaldale AB then eventually settling in Lethbridge AB to be closer to family. Bev was also an avid bowler and continued to bowl no matter where she lived.
About 5 years ago, Bev was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and stoically battled this terrible disease. It was the more recent diagnosis of cancer that she was unable to overcome, however her caring spirit shone through. The family would like to thank the staff at the Chinook Regional Hospital and St. Michael’s Health Centre. They also want to thank Dr. Aiden Smith, Dr. Oviatt, Dr. Roth, Dr Sue Westheuser and other numerous nurses and care workers that helped Bev be comfortable to the end.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donation may be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 47 Squire Bakers Ln, Markham, ON L3P 3G8 or the Canadian Cancer Society, https://cancer.ca/en
Bev will be laid to rest by her beloved family and friends at home in Kenora this summer.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
SCHMOLD, Wilhelm
SCHMOLD WILHELM “WILLY” SCHMOLD, of Coaldale, beloved wife of the late Adeline Schmold, passed away peacefully at Sunny South Lodge on Friday, January 6, 2023 at the age of 92 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 1:30 P.M. with Patrick Siedlecki officiating.
Willy will be laid to rest with his beloved wife prior to the Funeral Service in the Coaldale Community Cemetery.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HUGHES, Robert
HUGHES ROBERT “BOB” CLIFFORD HUGHES passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the age of 79 years.
Arrangements will be announced once completed.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
BRECKA, Vladimir
Vladimir Brecka Born July 14, 1932 in Rovensko, Slovakia, Vladimir Brecka passed away on October 1st, 2022 at Olds Hospital and Care Centre after living at the Olds Hospice for six weeks. He shared stories, laughter, prayers, music, tears, and love while surrounded by all of his descendants.
Vlad was 5 when the Breckas immigrated to Canada, first living in Iron Springs, then moving to the family farm north of Picture Butte near Barons. He graduated from Barrhill School and after a couple of years of work and travel (and playing a lot of ball) he attended the University of Alberta. Tales of Lambda Chi Alpha and the ping-pong championships were told throughout his life.
After graduation he began his teaching career at Innisfail High School. Mr. Brecka (the basketball coach) and Miss Sparks (the cheerleading coach) had their first date (“The Blob”), and that was the beginning of our family. Cathryn and Vladimir Brecka were married on July 16th, 1960 at the Innisfail United Church.
Shortly after they married, Mom and Dad moved to Delburne, and along came Roger Dean (1961), and then Brian John (1964). In 1966 they moved to Wetaskiwin, and a few years later Diana Joan (1970) was born.
Mr. Brecka carried on his love for athletics by coaching, refereeing, and managing community sports including hockey, softball, and swimming. At WCHS he coached basketball, refereed basketball and football, and was involved provincially with ASAA. He organized and led several officials’ organizations, trained new officials, and spent many evenings and weekends on the diamonds “calling ’em as he saw ’em”. So often in fact that it was hard to know if more people knew him as a teacher than as an umpire.
Coach Brecka was one of the recipients of an Olympic Medallion in 1988 presented by the Torch Run committee for his outstanding contribution to sports as an official. In 2011 he was inducted into the Wetaskiwin Sports Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Coach, Volunteer and Official. He was especially proud of Wetaskiwin for hosting the Summer Games and the Special Olympics, where he volunteered.
Grumpah always had a soft spot for kids, and neighbourhood children would often stop by and strike up a conversation with him about whatever the events of the day happened to be. Later on those children would return to visit Breckahaven as adults for a shared dialogue about world events, and a shot of Slivovica.
Uncle Vlad loved music and although he didn’t play any instruments he took delight in going to the symphony, especially to hear the sounds of the violin. He attended many Big Band dinners, school concerts, Klause piano recitals, and was an advocate for the Wetaskiwin Music Festival. He and Cathryn provided musical opportunities for their children by driving them to lessons, rehearsals, camps, and concerts.
They attended live theatre too, be it local or professional, and loved Stage West. Vlad enjoyed art shows and galleries with Cathryn all around Alberta as well as during their many trips to different parts of the globe.
Dad’s community-mindedness extended well beyond athletics. Much time was spent working elections, canvassing for charities, delivering for Meals on Wheels, driving the “people mover” at RAM, membership in the Kiwanis Club, leadership at First United Church, sitting on the Water Tower restoration committee, chairing Headstart, and supporting various fundraising events in Wetaskiwin. We have so much gratitude for our beloved Vladimir, who wove a sense of service into all that he did.
Vladimir is survived by Roger, Brian, Diana (David Glass), grandson Quinn, sister Gerry Cochrane, brother Stan Brecka, and many nieces and nephews. We share our sorrow with cousins in the Old Country and the First United Church family.
Dad requested a live stream to be hosted by First United Church, Wetaskiwin (www.firstunitedwetaskiwin.ca/) on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. MST. Donations may be made to the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Olds Hospice, or a charity of one’s choice.
To honour Dad, please, share a game of cribbage at your next family gathering. Make a red jellied salad with fruit cocktail. Play math games in the car. Wear a tie with your shirt. Eat ALL the dessert. Twice. Listen to Yo-Yo Ma. Treat a friend to Smitty’s. Call your MLA as needed. Buy a lottery ticket. Plant a garden. Volunteer. Question. Give…
Baker Funeral Chapel, Wetaskiwin, Alberta 780-352-2501 or 888-752-2501 Condolences: http://www.womboldfuneralhomes.com
VAN ESVELD, Gerard
January 5, 1930 – January 4, 2023
VAN ESVELD It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of GERARD VAN ESVELD in Bethesda Care Home in Picture Butte, at the age of almost 93 years.
He leaves behind his two daughters, Wiletta (Andy) Oudman and Joanne (Henk) Van Roekel, 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Gerard was born on January 5th, 1930 in Barneveld, The Netherlands to Heimen and Janna Van Esveld. On March 11, 1954, he married Weimtje van de Brink and then they immigrated to Canada together with two of his brothers.
Gerard first worked in Fort Macleod, and later in Lethbridge and they bought a farm in the area and built up the dairy and poultry operation. Farming was his passion.
His wife passed away July 9, 2002, and he moved to Bethesda Care Home in May 2016, where he resided till his passing. There he so enjoyed many visits especially with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Gerard is survived by his brothers: Bill (Gerda) Van Esveld and Gerrit (Bep) Van Esveld, sisters-in-law Gijsje Van Esveld, Hannie van de Brink and Betty van kooten, brother-in-law Henk van de Brink and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by beloved wife Weimtje, sons Henry and Ken, granddaughter Melissa van Esveld, his parents, brothers: Drikus (Hennie) van Esveld and GerritJan van Esveld, sisters: Jannie (Henk) Boekhout and Trutje (Rijer) Groeneveld, and brothers-in-law Jan Henk van de Brink and Jan van Kooten.
An opportunity for Condolences will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 7:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M.
A Graveside Service will be held at MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY, 1210 Scenic Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., followed by a service at the NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATION OF NORTH AMERICA, 235039, AB-3A, Monarch, AB, at 11:00 A.M. with Elder Muilwijk officiating.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu, donations may be made to Bethesda Care Home, Box 1096, Picture Butte, T0K 1V0.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com