Friday, May 5, 2023
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 5, 2023.
AKITT, Leona AKITT Leona Akitt of Vulcan, formerly of Carmangay, passed away peacefully at the Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre in Claresholm on April 29, 2023 at the age of 97 years.Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 1:30 pm at the Champion Congregational Church. Interment Carmangay Cemetery, luncheon to follow.
Tributes in Leona’s memory can be made to the Claresholm Health Foundation, in care of Willow Creek Continuing Care Centre – North Unit, PO Box 2638, Claresholm, AB, T0L 0T0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through http://www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca
FOXCROFT, Mitchell MITCHELL RYAN FOXCROFT It is with heavy hearts and much love that we mourn the passing of our beloved son, brother, nephew & cousin on April 27, 2023. The pain of losing him is like no other but we take some comfort knowing that he has been freed from his pain & suffering and is now at peace.
Mitch was born July 21, 1988 in Lethbridge and was always a bundle of energy with a mischievous sense. He could always be found climbing something, pounding nails into boards constructing something, riding his bike too fast or skateboarding with no abandon. He was adventuresome, fiercely independent and a very determined individual.
He graduated LCI and began a career in carpentry. He had a talent for building things along with a strong mechanical sense and had a passion for repairing vehicles and bicycles. He played many sports over the years – football, baseball, soccer, and paintball but his very favourite began when he bought his first drift car and began racing. Mitch always had a need for speed and this soon became his passion. He was so proud of his cars and would spend hours tweaking and repairing things.
He also loved the outdoors and spent winters snowboarding at Castle Mountain and summers at Wasa Lake as well as in the Castle/Livingston mountain ranges dirt biking & camping with family and friends.
Mitch fought a long battle with the disease of addiction which began at the age of 19 after a snowboarding accident. He kept his big heart and giving nature right up until the end always worrying about others and often putting their needs ahead of his own. He rarely would ask for help.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. While our constant worry for you is now gone our love and memories will last forever.
Mitch is lovingly remembered by his parents, Gord & Janice Foxcroft, his brother Riley Foxcroft, his girlfriend Taylor Anthony and their daughter Alina, his grandparents Alan & Tina Foxcroft along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Orlan & Loreen Berg.
In memory of Mitch please give your family an extra big hug and tell them you love them unconditionally for time is sometimes too short.
Words cannot express how thankful we are for all who tried to revive Mitch, especially all of the First Responders and Shelter staff. We cannot stress how much we appreciate and respect the job that you do everyday.
A private family service will be held to celebrate his life.
Photos, cherished memories and condolences may be shared at http://www.zentnerfuneralhomes.com 1-844-ZENTNER
HARTLEY, Wayne HARTLEY WAYNE OLER HARTLEY, passed away on Sunday, April 30 at the age of 91 years. His passing has brought a sweet reunion with his beloved wife June, children Matthew and Jill, parents Russell and Malinda, and siblings Dale and Doreen, Lola. Wayne was born on February 23, 1932 in Stirling, Alberta. He spent his childhood working with his dad in the hay fields, tending to livestock, socializing with friends, and playing basketball. After high school Wayne served a 2 year church mission in Australia and studied agriculture at BYU before returning to the farm. Wayne married June in 1962 and together they raised 8 children: Cindy, Beverly, Timothy, Stephen, Jason, Matthew, Jill, and Pam. Wayne and June raised their family in Stirling until 1978 when they moved their family to Aetna after purchasing the ranch. Wayne raised purebred hereford cattle. Wayne was a loving father and grandfather. He spent time taking his grandkids gopher hunting, taught them how to play rook, and supported them in all their talents and interests. In his retirement years his grandchildren would often find him shooting gophers in the fields on the quad or working in his garden. Wayne was an active participant in his community. He served as a town councilor in the village of Stirling and served on the Aetna Irrigation District. In his retirement years he volunteered his time to help with several political campaigns at the riding level. Wayne was a devout, and loyal believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He and June served a senior mission in Pennsylvania and together they served in the Cardston temple baptistry. Wayne was soft spoken, kind, and a friend to all. He leaves a legacy of great faith to his 21 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. The Hartley family would like to thank all the staff at St. Therese Villa for their kind and dedicated care for Wayne and June.
A family funeral service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home. Interment to follow at the Cardston Cemetery.
To send condolences or WATCH the funeral streamed online visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
KONYNENBELT, Rosemary ROSEMARY KONYNENBELT 1939 – 2023 It is with great sadness that we share Rosemary Konynenbelt, age 83, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2023, with her son, Kevin Konynenbelt, and daughter, Pamela Bender, by her side. She was uplifted and showered in love by our extended family throughout the day until Kevin and Pam could arrive.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 6:00 -7:00 pm, on Friday, May 5, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta
We invite you to share in a Celebration of Life which will be held at 3:00 pm, on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 260 McGill Blvd W, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Pastor Jim Zondervan, officiating. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCua0ndvGcQvkahtBWQCTjAw
As a celebration of Rosemary, who loved flowers and springtime, we encourage wearing colours of the season.
A private family Interment will be held prior at the Nobleford/Monarch Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Cancer Research Agency.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
GRANBERG, Wallace “Wally” WALLACE “WALLY” GRANBERG 1930 – 2023 Wallace “Wally” Granberg of Foremost passed away peacefully with family by his side at St Joseph’s Palliative Care on Saturday April 29, 2023.
Wally lived in Foremost his whole life, raised by his parents Sig and Ellen Granberg. He had a zest for life and loved being outdoors, enjoying activities such as baseball, hunting, and curling in his younger years, boating, camping, skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, golfing with family and friends, team roping, and riding his horse. He talked many times about his experience at the Dodger’s baseball training camp in California when he was only 18, scouted as a pitcher. He also had the time to enjoy watching his children and grandchildren participating in various sports and activities.
He is survived by his daughter-in-law Deb and her children Jordy (Lauren) and Tanner (Katie), his son Rod (Roxanne) and their children Justin, Megan (Evan), and Jarret (Jenna), and his daughter Darla and her children Madison (Dan) and Geena. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren.
Wally was predeceased by his wife Gerry and his son Terry.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at 1:00 PM, on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, 802 1 Ave W, Foremost, Alberta.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
TWIGG, Dylan DYLAN TWIGG 1994 – 2023 It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our sweet Dylan Twigg on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the age of 28 years old at his home in Coalhurst.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, on Friday, May 5, 2023, at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve, Alberta, with Father Pawel, Andrasz, celebrant.
Interment will follow at the Twigg family plot.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
JOHNSON, Doran DORAN JOHNSON 1929 – 2023 Mr. Doran Johnson of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Audrey Johnson, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at the age of 93 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
WILSON, Margaret WILSON MARGARET WILSON, beloved wife of the late William Wilson, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the age of 85 years.
Margaret will be deeply missed by her children: William (Nicole), Julia, Linda, and Joseph (Carol) as well as her grandchildren: Nolan, Caitlin, Megan, Kirsty, Bailey, Jacinda, Joseph, Natasha, and Samantha.
Margaret lived an active life and loved to meet people. Whether family, her years of service to the Guiding community, or work, meeting and helping people was what made her the person she was.
She will be fondly remembered for her sense of humour and quick wit. Margaret loved animals as could be evidenced by the variety and number of pets that were part of the family throughout the years. She had a special place in her heart for dogs and was never without at least one in her life.
Margaret will be deeply missed by all those she knew and loved in her lifetime.
“Remember me with smiles and laughter for that’s the way I’ll remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.” -Michael Landon A celebration of life will be held at a later date for family and friends.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
BELITZ, Rae RAE BELITZ It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, dad, grandpa (Poppa) brother, uncle and good friend to many. Surrounded by his loving wife and children, Rae passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on Monday, May 1, 2023 at St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit in Lethbridge.
Beside his loving wife Noreen, Rae is survived by Shawnee (Gord) Robinson and children Taylor (Paul) and Shawn from Duchess, AB; Cheri Ann (Doug) Sieppert and children Jacob and Jenna from Calgary, AB; Darcy Belitz (Sandi) and children Dakota and Kaitlyn from Lethbridge; Noreen’s son Todd (Susan) Schmitke and son Josh from Lethbridge, AB; and Rae’s sister Sandra (Murph) from Brooks, AB.
Rae was predeceased by his dad George in 1961 and his mom Edna in 2002.
Rae was born in Calgary on June 29th, 1939. He started working at Alberta White Trucks as a part driver in 1957. He married his first wife Betty in 1962, and together they raised their three kids Shawnee, Cheri Ann and Darcy. Rae transferred to Lethbridge in 1980 to continue his career as a manager of Western Star Trucks. He married Noreen in 1992, and together they resided in Raymond, AB until 2004, when they moved to Coalhurst, where they currently reside.
Rae loved his children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including close friends: Corry (Mike) Van Dusen, Brayden, Abby, and Nicholas. Rae loved being outside, camping, following rodeos, and watching his grandkids play sports. Rae will be missed dearly by all that knew him; he was a very special man. The family would like to thank all the staff from Chinook Regional Hospital, Lethbridge Homecare and St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Unit that cared for him.
A Come and Go Celebration of Rae’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, May 12th, 2023 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
SMULDERS, Edward SMULDERS EDWARD GERRIT GERARDUS SMULDERS passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at the age of 96 years.
A Funeral Mass will be held at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 – 13 Street North, Lethbridge, AB on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Derek Remus celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Edward’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
VAN DER LEE, Peter VAN DER LEE, Peter 1956 – 2023 It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Peter Donald van der Lee, of Lethbridge on April 30, at the age of 67 years.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Joyce of 41 years; children: Gerry, Mathew, Jennifer, Donald; and 9 grandchildren.
For those who wish to pay their respects, a viewing will be held at 2:00 p.m. today, May 5, 2023 at Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home, 703 13 Street North, Lethbridge. A Memorial Service will then take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend. He will be laid to rest with his mother in Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, Alberta.
To share condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca
CHIEF MOON – BIG THROAT, Chayton CHIEF MOON – BIG THROAT Chayton Deacon-Ross Chief Moon-Big Throat, passed away on April 29, 2023 in Edmonton, AB at the age of 21 years. He is survived by his spouse Tameeka Laboucan, son Chataydyn, parents Lorand (Kelly) Big Throat and Terri Tallow-Chief Moon.
A Wake Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston, Alberta on Monday, May 8 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Tuesday, May 9 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the Pioneer Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca
DERENZO, Anthony “Tony” DERENZO ANTHONY “TONY” ALPHONSE DERENZO, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Gloria Derenzo, passed away peacefully at the St. Michael’s Health Centre – Palliative Care Unit, on Monday, May 1, 2023 at the age of 63 years.
Besides his wife, Tony is lovingly remembered by his children: Candace and AJ Derenzo, both of Lethbridge and Cameron (Ara) Derenzo of Edmonton; five grandchildren: Braydon, Kory, Rory, Olivia and Max; five sisters: Ria (Warren) Cecchini of Vernon, BC, Kaydee Derenzo (Doug Brown) of Blairmore, Louise of Lethbridge, Diane (Taco) Hansma of Claresholm, and Deb Derenzo (Jayson Munroe) of Lethbridge; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Tony was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Willemina; brother Stephen; and niece Tammy Gallamore.
Tony was born and raised in Blairmore, Alberta, on May 17, 1959.
He loved the mountains and outdoors, enjoyed fishing, hunting, dirt biking, golfing, camping, softball and hockey. Tony also loved to cook and entertain and would hold many dinner gatherings, including a wind-up party each year for his old timers hockey team (Red Team) which everyone looked forward to. His never-ending sense of humor and wit kept people smiling and laughing, right up to the end.
Tony enjoyed many road trips on his Harley with Gloria. One of their best trips was down the west coast to California. Tony and Gloria were blessed with many wonderful trips through their 26 years in the flooring business. He developed many long-lasting friendships and business relationships over the years and always made sure to show his appreciation to the restoration and insurance companies he dealt with during this time.
Tony hosted various jump teams at the Lethbridge Air Show for over 20 years; specifically, our own Canadian Military Jump Team, “The Sky Hawks” (Tony had their emblem tattooed on his right arm). He was an honourary member of the Sky Hawks Team, through his support and dedication to them at every Air Show in Lethbridge. Tony made sure they were well looked after.
A Celebration of Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. with Pat Siedlecki officiating. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Tony’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
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