Tuesday, April 23, 2024

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on April 23, 2024.

BENNETT, Lindsay BENNETT It is with the deepest of sadness that we announce the passing of Lindsay Jane Bennett, daughter, sister, niece and friend.
Linz loved her family and her life. Despite all the challenges Linz faced, her focus and passion were always her family and friends. Linz also loved all animals, especially her ever faithful companion Garnet. She had a wicked sense of humour (like her dad). She loved watching the sky at night and working in her garden. Linz was very kind and loving. Linz loved and fully celebrated all holidays, her favourite being Halloween.
Lindsay was predeceased by her father, Ian. Lindsay is survived by her mother Arline, her siblings Anthony (Dal), Graeme (Yvonne), Pam (Eric), Darrell (Lana), Jason (Tammy), and Chris (Natalie), 14 nieces and nephews, 2 great nieces, and a very special friend Geraldine.
Lindsay is very loved and will be greatly missed.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Friday April 26, 2024. At the Galt Museum from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. Everyone Welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to CASA (230 8 St S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 5H2).
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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PITCHER, Elva PITCHER ELVA FULLMER PITCHER, the beloved wife of Melvin Jay Pitcher passed away in Cardston, Alberta on April 16, at the age of 93. Elva was born on May 15, 1930. She was the third child of Melvin and Alice Fullmer. She was predeceased by her twin daughters Deborah and Diane, her sisters Melba Fullmer, Iris Chipman, and her brother Heber Fullmer. She leaves to mourn her three children Arnold Pitcher (Lynda), Teresa Allred (Drew), and Stacy Wilde (Eric). She also leaves 14 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. Elva lived on a farm in Hartley and Glenwood and graduated High School in 1948. She would go to Calgary for teacher training and eventually receive her Bachelor of Education from the U of L. Elva taught school for over 30 years and was loved by all for many generations.
Elva and Melvin were married on November 8, 1950 in the Cardston Alberta Temple. Mom was an avid reader and was on top of all current events for her Social Studies classes. So many of her former students fondly remembered her classy dress and especially her cherry-red shoes.
As a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many capacities including over 30 years in Temple service with her sweetheart Melvin. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and was loved by all.
Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Temple Street Chapel (355 3 St W) on Friday, April 26th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may meet the family from 10:00-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment to follow at Cardston Cemetery.
To Watch the Service or send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca

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KARAKI, Gordon KARAKI GORDON KARAKI, beloved husband of Mihoko Karaki, passed away on January 18, 2024 at the age of 84 years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30am on Saturday April 27, 2024 at the Heritage Inn Conference Centre, 1217 2 Street West, Brooks, AB.
In lieu of flowers and Koden, if friends so desire, memorial tributes in Gordon’s name may be made directly to Chinook Regional Hospital (ICU Unit), 960-19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 1W5.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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MANY CHIEFS, Faron MANY CHIEFS FARON GUSTAVE MANY CHIEFS JR. (BIG SORREL HORSE) passed away on April 2, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 35 years. The Funeral Service for Faron will be held on Friday, April 26 at 11:00 am at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston. Faron will be laid to rest in Blood Band Cemetery, Stand Off, AB.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.

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NEKICH, Helga HELGA NEKICH 1938 – 2024 Mrs. Helga Nekich of Lethbridge, formerly of Edmonton and beloved wife of the late Mr. Giuseppe Nekich, passed away at Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the age of 86 years.
Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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WHITE QUILLS, Micheal “Mikey” WHITE QUILLS MICHEAL “MIKEY” JONATHAN WHITE QUILLS passed away peacefully at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, on Monday, April 15, 2024 at the age of 36 years.
A Wake will be held at SIKSIKA MEMORIAL ARBOUR, Siksika, AB, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. An All-Night Wake will be held at Shona’s residence from 10:00 P.M, to 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 4:00 P.M. followed by a Second Wake at SENATOR GLADSTONE HALL, Blood Reserve, AB, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve, AB, on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. celebrating.
Following the Funeral Mass, Mikey will be laid to rest in the Blood Band Cemetery.

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

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SLEMKO, Pete SLEMKO PETE SLEMKO, beloved husband, devoted father, and respected member of the community, passed away peacefully at Buffalo Grace Manor, surrounded by his devoted wife Diana and family, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the age of 103 years.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.
Following the Funeral Mass, Pete will be laid to rest in Royal View Cemetery.

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

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RACH, Stanislaus “Stan” In Loving Memory of STANISLAUS “STAN” RACH July 21, 1931 – April 13, 2024 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Stan, our “Sonnenschein,” beloved husband, Papa, Opa, brother, uncle, and, friend, who left us on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the age of 92.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1513 – 23 Avenue, Coaldale, AB, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating.

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

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SIMMONS, Jack “Victor John” JACK (VICTOR JOHN) SIMMONS 1943 – 2024 Jack (Victor John) Simmons of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mary Simmons (Falconer), passed away after a lengthy illness at St. Michael’s Health Centre on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the age of 81 years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the SALVATION ARMY COMMUNITY CHURCH, 1302, 4 AVENUE SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Major Brian Beveridge, officiating. Lunch to follow at the church hall.
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Riverview Chapel.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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ABE, Barbara BARBARA ABE 1963 – 2024 Miss. Barbara (Barb) Abe of Lethbridge, passed away after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the age of 60 years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m, on Friday, April 26, 2024, at WESTSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH, 480 MCMASTER BLVD W, Lethbidge, Alberta.
A private family interment will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, https://giving.albertacancer.ca/donate/cancer-centres
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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OLIVER, Maire OLIVER Maire Annikki Markkanen Oliver who was beloved by her family and friends returned home to her Heavenly Father and loved ones who passed before, on Friday April 19, 2024 at the age of 89.
Maire was born on April 4th 1935 to Otto Verner Markkanen and Hilma Pauldanius Markkanen in Kuopio, Finland. She had a younger brother, Matti. Maire grew up during hard times in Finland during World War 2 and remembers sirens, calls to bomb shelters and German soldiers marching down the streets of her hometown. The death of her dear father was a direct result of the war when she was only 10 years old.
Maire was an ambitious young woman and did jobs to help with her family income. She went to college and worked at a shoe store. When she was 19 she met the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was baptized soon after. Six months later, Maire was called to serve a mission in her home country of Finland. It was while she served her mission that she met the love of her life, Gordon, who was also serving a mission in Finland. After Gordon returned home he called her and proposed over the phone from Canada. Brave Maire left her home and family and traveled across the Atlantic to an unknown country and culture – what a leap of faith! Theirs turned out to be the most beautiful of love stories and an example to all who knew them.
After their marriage, her and Gordon settled in Lethbridge and had two daughters and three sons. Maire deeply loved her children and grandchildren. She also loved rye bread, seafood, and donuts. She loved travelling, the color red and birds. Her favorite thing was spending time with her husband.
Maire served the Lord and had a strong testimony of the gospel, always an example of faith and service. She and Gordon served a mission together as a couple in Finland, and loved serving the Lord.
Maire is preceeded in death by her mother and father, Hilma and Otto Markkanen and brother Matti, mother and father in law Howard and Agnes Oliver.
Maire leaves behind her dear husband Gordon, and a grand posterity. 5 children, 25 grandchildren and 55 great grandchildren.
Gordon (Diann) Oliver (6 children and 19 grand children)
Deanne (Mitchell) Robison (3 children and 10 grandchildren)
Mark (Natalie) Oliver (4 children and 4 grandchildren)
Karen (Bob) Kolibar (5 children and 11 grandchildren)
Glen (Onna) Oliver (7 children and 11 grandchildren)
Maire has a strong spirit, she was hilarious and quick witted. She was spicy and sassy right to the end. Maire was adored by all. She will be greatly missed!
Heaven just got a lot more fun with the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Maire.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday April 24th 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FAIRMONT CHAPEL (205 Fairmont Blvd South, Lethbridge).
Friends are welcome to meet with the family from 10:00 to 10:45am prior to the service at the church. Interment to follow at the Temple Hill Cemetery in Raymond.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

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MASSE, Rene MASSE RENE GERMAIN MASSE, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Eva Masse, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital with family by his side, on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the age of 89 years.
A private gathering will be held at a later date.

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

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BRANDHORST, Nicholas NICHOLAS BRANDHORST 1933 – 2024 Mr. Nicholas Brandhorst of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Tressa Brandhorst, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at Chinook Regional Hospital on Friday, April 19, 2024 at the age of 91 years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at GRACE REFORMED CHURCH, 1402 – 8 Avenue North, Lethbridge, with Pastor Paul Van Straalen officiating. A private graveside service will be held prior in Archmount Cemetery.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

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SARSFIELD, Joyce SARSFIELD JOYCE FRASER SARSFIELD (née PATTERSON), of Lethbridge, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the age of 93 years. Her husband of 70 years, Leslie Sarsfield, had died three days earlier.
She is survived by her children: David and Jane (Ian), and special family friend Carla Schluchter.
She was predeceased by her daughter Patricia and her brother and sister: Fred (Lou) Patterson, and Edith Patterson as well as her parents, Cecil and Laura Patterson.
Joyce was a Public Health Nurse, graduating from the University of Alberta Hospital with a Bachelor of Nursing. After her husband retired, she immediately started working at Peoples Jewellers. After working there for twenty years, Joyce retired at the age of 80.
Joyce was proud of her father’s lifework developing hardy fruit trees and flowers, designed for the Prairies. She nurtured the Patterson lilies for over 60 years.
She discovered quilting in 1975, and it became an everyday passion, winning many awards for her creations. Joyce was an inaugural member of the Seamsters Union and crafted many peedoozlers.
At her request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Victoria’s Quilts Canada which provides handmade quilts to people living with cancer or the charity of your choice.
We are so glad that Mom and Dad are reunited along with their beloved cat Lucy.

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

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