Saturday, May 11, 2024
By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 11, 2024.
ERDMAN, Douglas “Doug”
DOUGLAS (DOUG) ALFRED ERDMAN April 22, 1944 to April 22, 2024 Predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Elsie, and brother Tommy.
Doug leaves to mourn; his wife Donna, his daughters Lee (Brad) and Laura, his son, Stephen, grandsons, Jack and Van and his sister Sandra. Private service to follow.
Please join us for a Celebration of life
in honour of
TERESA DENISE CASWELL
July 20, 1960 – Nov 20, 2023
Saturday, May 18th, 2024
at 10 am
Hillcrest Miners Club 22733 7th Ave,
Hillcrest mines, AB
Please come to honor, remember and celebrate the life of a beautiful soul who’s uplifting and positive personality impacted us all in ways that we will cherish and keep with us forever.
Bring your stories, memories and experiences so that we can all share in the love and beauty she brought into our lives.
Food, dessert and light refreshments will be served at noon.
Please wear purple if you can, as a tribute to the colour she always added to every situation!
EWING, Melody “Mel”
EWING MELODY “MEL” ELAINE EWING, beloved wife of Jim Ewing, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital surrounded by family, on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the age of 75 years.
Born and raised in Lethbridge, Mel graduated from WCHS in 1967. She briefly worked at Tastee Freez before starting at AGT as a Telephone Operator, then 611 Repair Clerk. In 1971, she married Jim, her beloved husband of 52 years. They had two children, Alison, and Ryan, and Mel briefly left the workforce. When the kids started school, Mel volunteered in the classroom, eventually becoming an LSD51 employee, first as a Teacher’s Assistant in the special ed room and kindergarten, and at retirement, a Speech and Language assistant. She spent most of her career at Nicholas Sheran School. Mel then worked part-time as a circuit coach at Curves until her full retirement in 2017.
Mel’s strength, kindness, and love for family and friends, earned her the respect and love of all who knew her. Although she endured chronic pain and many health issues in recent years, Mel always remained positive and put others needs first.
Family and friends were especially important to Mel. She looked forward to her weekly Sunday dinners, coffee or lunch with friends, and spending vacations, special occasions and Christmas with family, extended family, and friends.
Mel loved to cook and was always looking for new recipes. Homemade chocolates for Christmas, which began with a lesson in chocolate making with sister-in-law Sheran, became a 50-year tradition.
There are many special memories of family vacations to Kootenay Lake and Disneyland/Disneyworld and camping at Waterton, Beauvais Lake/Beaver Mines. Jim and Mel travelled to many places, but Mel’s true love was Costa Rica. For 18 years, a part of each winter was spent in Costa Rica, and Mel always looked forward to the next trip.
Mel is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Alison, son Ryan (Kali), grandkids Jordan (Jonny), and Ari, great grandchildren Kai and Luca, and little Pepper. She is also survived by her sister Rose (Clarence) Rhodes and their family, along with extended family – Sheran Leverick (George), Doug Aspeslet, Barry Ewing and numerous nephews and nieces.
Mel was pre-deceased by her parents Ralph and Hazel Lightizer, sister Gail, mother and father in-law Dorothy and Tom Ewing, brother-in-law Darryl Stuckey and sister-in-law Linda Aspeslet.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choosing.
A Celebration of Mel’s life will be held at the ITALIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE, 1511 St Edward Blvd North, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 1:00 P.M.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
COLLINS, Rhonda
COLLINS Rhonda Maynard Collins (nee Boughton), age 105, beloved wife of the late Dr. Lorne Collins, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 3rd, 2024 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Rhonda was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on March 17, 1919. She had four siblings, Lorraine (deceased), John (deceased), Glenn (deceased), and Ardeth.
Rhonda graduated with her Medical Doctor degree from the University of Manitoba in 1943, cum laude, and was also presented with the Dr. Charlotte W. Ross Gold Medal, for the highest standing in obstetrics.
After the Second World War, Rhonda and Lorne moved to Pincher Creek, Alberta where they practiced medicine and raised their family. They had four children: Shelagh (George Torbiak) Stefan, Ruth Collins-Nakai, Elinor (Paul) Hobbs and Peter (Elizabeth) Collins; seven grandchildren, Sean, Rachel, Natasha, Joshua, Sunil, Erin and Monica; two great grand-children, Wesley and Sam; and many nieces and nephews.
Rhonda served on the local school board for nine years, was a member of the local library board for many years, and also served on the Board of Governors of the University of Lethbridge, from that University’s founding in 1967, until 1973, and thereafter on the University of Lethbridge Senate.
Rhonda was an elegant, graceful and beautiful woman; a fine mother; Pincher Creek and district’s “women’s doctor”; an advocate for the advancement of women; an avid reader; a musician (voice, piano and clarinet); a knitter; and a good friend to many.
There will be no public memorial service for Rhonda; the family will have a private remembrance for her, when her ashes will be interred at the Pincher Creek Cemetery alongside those of Lorne (who predeceased her in 2019). The family thanks the staff at Adaptacare Personal Care Homes – Cedar Creek for their kind and compassionate care of Rhonda in her final years.
Visit http://www.evergreenfh.ca to send condolences.
KNIBBS, Sylvia
Sylvia Knibbs 1935 – 2024 Sylvia Knibbs (née Haynes), beloved wife of the late Gerald “Jerry” Knibbs, passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the age of 88 years.
It was Sylvia’s greatest desire for her family to honour her with a private Burial Service at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Sylvia’s name may be made directly to the charity of one’s personal choice.
From the bottom of their hearts, Sylvia’s family wishes to give thanks to her fellow residents, nurses, doctors, care aids, and administrative staff for the friendships and wonderful care that Sylvia received at these facilities.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
BRANCH, Phyllis
BRANCH, Phyllis February 21, 1928 – May 1, 2024 Phyllis Mary Branch (nee Montgomery), beloved wife of the late Ken Branch, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Bow View Manor at the age of 96 years.
Phyllis was born in Lethbridge, AB, on February 21, 1928. She was the second child of Clarence and Vera Montgomery, along with older brother Joe and younger siblings Bob, Shirley, and Jean (who died in infancy).
Phyllis completed high school at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and later graduated from Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton as a Registered Nurse in 1950. After starting her nursing career in Lethbridge, the travel bug bit Phyllis, and with her RN designation, she embarked on a career as a Trans Canada Airlines flight attendant.
As fate would have it, while on a layover in Montreal, she met a dashing, young fighter pilot, Kenneth Branch, also from Lethbridge. The two married in May of 1953. Their love and Ken’s career with the RCAF took them to England and across Canada. During this time, they welcomed five girls under their “wings”.
Following Ken’s retirement from the Air Force in 1970, Ken and Phyllis returned to their roots in Lethbridge. As her girls grew, Phyllis returned to her nursing career, working many years at the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital. Always with an eye for fashion, Phyllis was a skilled and prolific seamstress, sewing wardrobes for the whole family – including a formal tuxedo for Ken. Phyllis had a lifelong love for swimming, which kept her in the water until she was 85. The travel bug never left Phyllis and Ken, as they were avid RV enthusiasts and always open to a good adventure. But the most important thing to Phyllis was always her family, which was evident in everything she did. Her quiet strength, calm and caring nature, and keen sense of humour will always be treasured by her family.
Phyllis will be lovingly remembered by daughters, Gail (Patrick) Coristine, Pamela Branch, Patricia (Kevin) Keith, Janet Branch, Karen (Sam) Yip; grandchildren, Ellen Coristine, Jennifer (Robert) Grant, Wayne Coristine, Lauren and Allison Keith, Matthew and Kyle Yip; great-grandchildren, Andrea and Alyssa Coristine, Dustin Rehbein; and sister-in-law Ardis Branch. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, and others whose lives she touched over her 96 years.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Bow View Manor for the kind and compassionate care they provided Phyllis since 2015.
A Private Family Memorial will be held at a later date.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, http://www.heartandstroke.ca, the Canadian Cancer Society, 55 St Clair Avenue West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 2Y7, Tel: 1-800-268-8874, http://www.cancer.ca, or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Phyllis’ family at http://www.MHFH.com.
In living memory of Phyllis Branch, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.
MCLAREN, Lori
LORI MCLAREN It is with the most broken of hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Lori Mclaren AKA Loly, Aunty Lol, Me Ma, Grandma, and GG.
Lori is predeceased by her father and best friend, Edward Wilson. She is survived by her mother Eve Lee; her husband Terry Mclaren; her favourite & only son Darrin McNeely “Doob”, his wife Amanda McNeely “Moonshine”; granddaughters, Taeya, and Brynn McNeely and her most recent prides of joy, her great-granddaughters, Cali & Raya Cahoon. Lori is also survived by her siblings Alan Wilson “Winky”, Terry Thiessen “Snuff”, and Shyla Simmons ‘Buff”, along with many nieces, nephews, and the coolest cousins & friends around.
Loly was the life of any party and was the happiest, most humble hippy around. We plan to celebrate and honour her that way, with a Celebration of Life that will be held during Magrath Days 2024, just the way she’d want it.
If we can learn one thing from Loly’s short life here with us, it would be to love each other, always. Those of us Mom imprinted on plan to carry on her legacy by loving each other more (even when they don’t), and by saving all of the bugs, cause no joke, she couldn’t even hurt a fly. Thank you all so much for your love & kind words during this extremely difficult time. We’re all going to try really hard, to be more like Lori. Love, The family Xxoo
To send a message of condolence please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca
WEASELHEAD-GOOD RIDER, Keston
WEASELHEAD-GOOD RIDER Keston Jobie Sage Weaselhead-Good Rider passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 in Lethbridge, Alberta at the age of 24 years.
A Wake Service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve, Alberta on Monday, May 13, 2024 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Tuesday, May 14 at 11:00 am. Interment will take place in the St. Catherine’s Cemetery.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.
HAWTHORNE, Eleanor
ELEANOR HAWTHORNE 1944 – 2024 Ms. Eleanor Hawthorne of Lethbridge passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the age of 79 years.
Eleanor Jane Hawthorne nee Blake nee Chudy grew up in a loving home. She had six brothers and a sister as siblings: Joe; Sally; Mike; Walter; Fred; Arnold “Butchie”; Arthur “Andy”; and James “Jimmy”. Eleanors father John Chudy was born in Ukraine in the village of Skoryky and the municipality of Dopofyolka, while mother Paulina was born in Canada. Eleanor loved her Ukraine heritage and went to the town of Skoryky in 2014 to see if she could find her grandfathers grave and possible relatives.
Eleanor was married twice and worked in cold lake air force base as an executive secretary before moving to Lethbridge and working with the University of Lethbridge Research Centre until she retired. She loved her animals and had horses, dogs, and cats over the years. Golfing was a favorite hobby. She is preceded by many nieces and nephews and will be missed.
Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
HOHM, Mary
MARY YVONNE HOHM 1926 – 2024 Mary Yvonne Hohm of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Eric Hohm passed away peacefully on May 9, 2024, at the age of 98 years.
Mom was born on March 21, 1926, in Regina Saskatchewan and moved to Lethbridge in 1940 with her late mother and father Marion and Bert Turner who started the radio and television business Bert and Mac’s.
Mom met a wonderful man Eric Hohm in 1951 at the opening of St Mary Dam and decided he was the one for her and they were married in July 1952 and the beginning of a wonderful journey for the next 60 plus years.
Mom was predeceased by her husband Eric and son Gordon. She is survived by daughter Shari (Fern); son Roger (Fran); daughter in law Cathy; Grandchildren Mandy (Chris) Schlosser and their children Haven, Calla, Mason, and David (Nadine) Hohm; Grandchildren through marriage Shane (Willianne) Trotter and their children Kayla (Clint) Weston – children Kenna, Kader, Tyler, Brandon, Tiegan, Addison, Brody, Jodie (Rod) Narkaus, and Marlene Trotter.
Mom loved theater and speech arts and began a long and enjoyable career teaching Speech Arts in 1972, starting teaching from home, then from school in Magrath and Cardston, the Bowman Arts Centre, University of Lethbridge and finally the Conservatory of Speech at Lethbridge Community College. After more than 50 years, mom retired from teaching in 2014. Mom also enjoyed golfing, curling and the many days enjoying the beauty of the mountains at the cabin in Waterton Park.
Mom was an active member and Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and involved in many community organizations. Moms belief in God was her guiding light and she was a dedicated member of the United Church and was a lay Minister for the Southern Alberta Presbytery.
Mom loved to travel, enjoying visits to Europe, British Isles, Australia, Asia, and all across Canada from east to west and north to south. If she wasn’t going someplace, she was planning for the next adventure.
Thank you to the staff at Extendicare for your care and loving support of mom during her years living there.
A family gathering to celebrate moms life will be held at a later date.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Stars Air Ambulance at https://stars.ca/get-involved/ways-to-donate/.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
NIEBOER, Joanne
NIEBOER JOANNE MARY ELLEN NIEBOER, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Herman Nieboer, passed away peacefully at her home, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the age of 76 years.
Joanne is survived by her son, Dwayne (Carla) Nieboer; daughter, Tammy (Ray) Spitzer of Lethbridge; two grandchildren, Amanda Spitzer and Brandon Spitzer; and two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Spitzer and Aurora Shipman. She is also survived by three sisters: Dorothy Rosenfelt, Bev (Larry) Wilson and Karen (Harold) James; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her loving husband Herman, Joanne was predeceased by her parents, George and Eunice Crawford; brother, Roy Crawford; and brother-in-law, Nick Rosenfelt.
Joanne was born to George and Eunice Crawford in Lethbridge, AB on September 18, 1947. She was married to the love of her life, Herman Nieboer, for 31 years. Their son, Dwayne, was born in August 1968 and their daughter Tammy in September 1970.
Joanne started and co-owned LA School of Hair Design, where she taught hairdressing up until retirement, when she and Herman started a new adventure with their convenience store for a few years. They eventually ended up on her sister, Bev’s farm for many years until she moved to Lethbridge to live with Ray and Tammy in 2009 and until her passing.
She enjoyed watching Westerns, crafts, puzzles, cooking and baking and spending time with her family.
Joanne will be dearly missed by her loved ones, relatives and all who knew her.
As per Joanne’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to STARS (stars.ca)
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
KELLOGG, Joseph
KELLOGG July 19, 1934 – May 6, 2024 JOSEPH LINCOLN KELLOGG Jr., born on July 19, 1934, to Joseph Lincoln and Harriett (Meyers) Kellogg at the Thornton Hospital in Stevensville, Montana, USA, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Prayer Service will be held at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 – 13 Street North, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Jim Manzara officiating.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 11:30 A.M. with Father Santiago Torres celebrating.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HUNT, Amber
HUNT AMBER DOROTHY ROSE HUNT, of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the age of 16 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.
Following the Funeral Service, Amber will be laid to rest in the Hunt Family Plot.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
MILLER, Donovan
MILLER DONOVAN CLARENCE MILLER, of Calgary, passed away suddenly, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at the age of 55 years.
A Celebration of Donovan’s Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Pat Siedlecki officiating.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HYSHKA, Kevin
HYSHKA KEVIN LAWRENCE HYSHKA, of Calgary, AB, passed away suddenly at home, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at the age of 56 years.
A Come and Go Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
LAYTON, Beryl
Beryl Layton 1938 – 2024 Beryl Louise Layton, beloved wife, cherished mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away very peacefully in Lethbridge on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the age of 85 years, with Lynn, the love of her life of sixty seven and a half years, holding her hand and numerous family by her side.
A private Burial Service will be held at the Taber Memorial Garden on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Besides Lynn, she is survived by their three children Donna (Ron) Young, Perry (Helen) Layton and Michelle (Dean) Layton-Kronlund; eleven grandchildren Jonathan (Morgan) Hamilton, Sterling (Jamie) Hamilton, Graham (Rachele) Andersen, Evan (Michaella) Andersen, Joshua (Claire) Layton, Jordan (Jamie) Layton, Carolynn (Jean) Viau, Daniel (Larissa) Layton, Tony Zucco, Jesse Machacek, Jaxin Machacek and also twenty one great grandchildren.
Beryl was born in Kimberley, BC, moved to Medicine Hat, AB and then in grade ten, the family relocated to Barnwell, AB where Beryl’s mom Leona Payne took a teaching position.
Beryl and Lynn met on a school bus basketball trip and fate placed Lynn beside her. Lynn made a cheeky comment which resulted in a slap across his face and the rest is history.
Beryl enjoyed her employment at the Bank of Montreal, Taber Post Office, Taber Supermarket and at Pharmasave.
Beryl immensely enjoyed her family, friends, shopping and travel. She will be dearly missed.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Beryl’s name may be made directly to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, 960 19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 1W5.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
DOWDELL, Blair
BLAIR DOWDELL 1998 – 2024 It is with deep sorrow we announce that Blair Gregory Aaron Dowdell, beloved son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend passed away suddenly and tragically on Monday, May 6th, 2024 in his hometown of Lethbridge, AB at the age of 25.
Blair will be missed by all who knew him, especially his parents Margaret Clifton and Quinton Dowdell, his sister Amber who says Blair “is and always will be my person”, his brother-in law Jeremy, his nephews Mikail, Rylan and Isaac, his niece Zoey, all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. He loved spending time with his family, especially his niece and nephews who were his pride and joy. He loved being an uncle. The kids new him affectionately as their “crazy uncle Blair”.
We find some comfort in knowing that Blair is now pain free and surrounded by many loved predeceased relatives, including his Grandpa, stepdad, stepbrother, uncles, and cousin.
Blair will be remembered for being his authentic, blue-eyed, big-smiling self. He was flamboyant, with a charisma that stood out. He was funny; a genuinely amazing human with a contagious laugh and hugs that made you never want to let go. Kind and generous, Blair had little in this world but that never stopped him from caring for others. He would give the shirt off his back if he knew it would help. He was selfless and quick to forgive. Blair loved deeply, with fierce loyalty, and he listened with empathy and genuine concern.
Blair didn’t have an easy life, yet he lived it with zeal, striving to be the best he could be. He enjoyed music, art, working with his hands, singing, dancing, and taking drives with his sister where the two would sing every song on the radio and talking passionately about anything on their hearts. He excelled at gymnastics, surprising many who watched him move his body with such skill and joy. He was a fast, enthusiastic learner. He loved nature, and all the beauty he saw in the world.
Blair had such a pure soul, he was a shining light too bright and too beautiful for this dark world.
Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
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