WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2023

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 5, 2023.

TSUJI, Teruo “Wray”

July 22, 1943 – June 22, 2023

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Wray Tsuji on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the age of 79 years. He was born on July 22, 1943 to Juichi & Kiyoko Tsuji in Lethbridge, AB. Wray grew up in Taber where he made the first of many lifelong friendships. After graduating from Taber High School he attended Tech (SAIT) to study Aircraft Maintenance. From there he moved up to Whitehorse, YT then on to Churchill, MB, gaining career experience. He moved back to Whitehorse to work for CP Air and met his wife Gayle. Less than 3 months later on Sept 18, 1965 they were married in an intimate ceremony at the local Air Force base chapel. The couple moved south when Wray’s work transferred him to Vancouver. Following several years of transferring between there, Calgary and Lethbridge for the company, during which time his 2 daughters were born, Wray decided to start his own company and WT Aviation Ltd opened its doors in 1973 in Taber. When the Taber Municipal Airport was approved he built the first hangar there and also became the Airport Manager. During this time he was also active as an Instructor with the local Air Cadet Squadrons. After running a very successful aircraft maintenance and sales business for almost 20 years, Wray sold his company and joined the Transportation Safety Board in 1991 as an Aviation Accident Investigator, where he remained until his retirement in 2013. Wray spent the following years enjoying the company of his family, playing with his grandchildren as they grew up, camping every possible chance he and Gayle got, and regularly meeting up with his many dear friends. Left to mourn Wray is his wife of 57 years, Gayle; his children and their partners, Linda & Thomas Boyce, Chiyoko & Dennis Wong; and his grandchildren, Devon & Koneko Wong. A Celebration of Wray’s Life will be held in the near future; date, time and location will be posted on Facebook. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation at http://www.albertacancer.ca. 

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family, 

via the website: http://www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL 

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone:  403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial

RICHARD “RICK” PONOMAR

1955 – 2023

          It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a good man. After a valiant struggle with cancer, Rick Ponomar passed away peacefully at Adaptacare surrounded by family on June 28th at the age of 67. 

     A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Dr. Bruce Martin, officiating. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/RichardRick-Ponomar and scroll to the bottom of Rick’s obituary page. 

     In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations to the Lethbridge Red Cross, 3131 1st Ave S T1J 4H2, the Jack Ady Cancer Center, 960 19 St S, Lethbridge AB T1J 1W5, or to the Lethbridge Astronomy Society, https://www.canada helps.org/en/ or email lethbridgeastronomy@gmail.com 

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

DELORES HARTY

1937 – 2023

     Mrs. Delores Elenora Harty of Etzikom, beloved wife of 49 years to Mr. Joe Harty, passed away peacefully at the Bow Island Hospital on Friday, June 30, 2023, at the age of 86 years. 

     Delores was born in Nemiscam, Alberta where she attended grades 1-6.  Grades 7-12 were completed at the Foremost School. She later worked at the Royal Bank of Canada in Foremost for 17 years. Joe and Delores were married on October 23, 1973. They built a life of farming and ranching south of Etzikom. In November 1974, they welcomed their son Joey to the family. 

     Delores was an active member of the CWL. In her free time, Delores enjoyed crocheting many Afghans for family and friends. If Delores was not crocheting, you could likely find her in the garden or somewhere involved in the daily activities of the farm and ranch. The branding crew always looked forward to her fried chicken. In her later years, she enjoyed a trip to the casino for entertainment. 

     Besides her husband Joe, she is survived by her son Joey Harty; two sisters in law; two brothers in law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

     Delores was predeceased by her parents John and Helena Rarick; parents in law Joe and Katie Harty; 12 siblings and their spouses; as well as one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law.  

     A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, 802 1 Ave W, Foremost, Alberta, with Father Wojciech Jarzecki, officiating.

     A private family Interment will follow at the Foremost Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Foremost Community Hall.

     Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice. 

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

HEAVY RUNNER

    It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of BILLY JO HEAVY RUNNER in Cardston (Moses Lake) Alberta at the age of 30 years. Funeral arrangements TBA. 

SKINNER

JENNY SKINNER, Beloved wife of the late George Skinner, of Lethbridge, Passed away with family by her side on Sunday July 2, 2023 at the age of 90 years.

Arrangements will be announced once completed.

To send a condolence, 

please visit

http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MARGUERITE JEAN DIXSON

December 28, 1938 – June 23, 2023

    Marguerite Jean (Herr) Dixson passed away peacefully at the Claresholm General Hospital on June 23, 2023, at the age of 84. 

     Marguerite was born at the Calgary General Hospital on December 28, 1938, to Bill and Evelyn Herr of Davisburg, Alberta. Marguerite was their second child after older brother Larry. The Herrs were a Southern Alberta pioneer family that settled in the Davisburg area in 1899. Marguerite grew up loving nothing more than to work with her father and brother on the family homestead and alongside her mother in their garden. Her least favourite place was indoors! Marguerite would have preferred to stay home and work outside, but on school days, she would ride her horse, Velvet, to the Davisburg School. Marguerite attended the Modern College of Business in Calgary in their secretarial program and began working as a stenographer in Calgary in 1957. She worked in the city for 12 years, returning to the family farm and her horse every weekend. 

     In June 1967, she married Gordon Aubrey Dixson and moved to Starline Farms east of Claresholm, Alberta. Gordon was indeed the love of her life, and she enjoyed nothing more than working alongside him in the fields with the cattle and in their bountiful garden. Did Marguerite ever know and love her flowers. Her award-winning flower beds were renowned in the community. She would start every single plant from seed in her little greenhouse and lovingly transplant each to one of her intricately designed flower beds. Thanks to Marguerite, their yard was truly a work of art. In addition to farming, Marguerite and Gordon enjoyed golf, curling, bridge, and travel and were part of the congregation of the Claresholm United Church. In line with her passion for gardening, Marguerite volunteered for the Claresholm Fair Board for a number of years. 

     Marguerite was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, in 1989. Marguerite carried on their farming operation with the help of family and good neighbours. She never considered leaving the farm and intended to reside there, in her piece of paradise, until the end of her days. She is lovingly remembered by her good friends and neighbours, her cousins, Gordon’s grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

    A Celebration of life will be held at the Davisburg Cemetery on July 6, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

     Take Exit HWY552 East off the #2 HWY to 96 Street East, Turn South and cemetery will be on your left hand side

Photos, cherished memories and condolences 

may be shared at  http://www.zentnerfuneralhomes.com 

1-844-ZENTNER

DELROY OKA

May 22, 1978 – June 26, 2023    Delroy Stanford Joseph Oka Jr., of the Blood Tribe, passed away at Fort Macleod, Alberta, on Monday, June 26, 2023, at the age of 45 years.    A Candlelight Vigil will be held at Centennial Park, 568 26 Street, Fort Macleod, Alberta, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 7:00 PM.    A Wake Service will be held at Eden’s Funeral Home, 2424 5 Ave, Fort Macleod, Alberta, on Monday, July 10, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 12:00 AM.    A Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Tribe, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Following the Funeral Service, Delroy will be laid to rest at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Blood Tribe.

Condolences may be

sent through

http://www.edensfuneralhome.com

JEFF’S LAST JAM

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR JEFF MEHRER

     Come one, come all! We’re having an open jam to pay tribute to Jeff’s life in music. All musicians and singers who knew Jeff are welcome to join us for food and beverages and a cash bar from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the ROCKY MOUNTAIN TURF CLUB EVENT CENTRE, 3401 PARKSIDE DR S, Lethbridge, Alberta. 

Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com 

to send a condolence.

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