Friday, May 17, 2024

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 17, 2024.

FERRIS, Mary

FERRIS MARY HELEN FERRIS, Lethbridge, AB, passed away peacefully at the Edith Cavell Care Centre, on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the age of 80 years.
As per Mary Helen’s wishes, there will be no formal service held.

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

WIRZBA, Margaret

MARGARET WIRZBA 1929 – 2024 Margaret Wirzba (nee Strecker), known as Gretchen to many, beloved wife of the late Emil Wirzba passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on May 14, 2024, at the age of 95.
Margaret was born on February 27, 1929, to Philip and Elisabeth Strecker in Beschanja of the former Yugoslavia. Margaret was the second of five children, the only daughter. In 1944 Margaret’s family was forced to flee to Germany. They eventually ended up in Braunschweig, where they lived as refugees. In 1951 she, as well as her parents and two brothers, immigrated to Canada. They worked in the sugar beet fields near Iron Springs for two years, before moving to Lethbridge.
On August 28, 1954, she married Emil Wirzba. They lived together in Lethbridge for 62 years until Emil passed away in 2017. They raised a family of five children.
Family and church were very important to Gretchen and Emil. They loved hosting family and friends. Gretchen was a wonderful cook and baker. Her German “Torten” are legendary. Food was the focal point of any visit. And her desserts always got the best reviews.
Her faith in God was strong. She was very involved in the life of the Bethany Baptist Church, singing in the choir, helping with the ladies’ group, and of course helping with the many potluck meals with her great signature dishes.
Mom also loved gardening. She grew a vegetable patch and lots and lots of beautiful flowers.
After Emil passed away, mom moved to Cottage 1 at the Good Samaritans’ Park Meadows Village. We are so grateful to the staff who made this a good home for Margaret for the past 7 years. She passed away peacefully at Cottage 1 on May 14, 2024.
Margaret was predeceased by her loving husband Emil; parents; two of her brothers and their spouses (Philip and Elizabeth, Jakob and Irma), and her brother Karl.
Margaret is survived by her brother Sam (Benita), her five children Dan (Sharon), Bernie (Cecilia), Carl (Hélene), Marvin (Tanell), and Lorraine, six grandchildren Steve (Jessica), Johannah (Emily) Grace, Kevin (Heidi), Zachary, and Andrew, two great grandchildren Ivy and Lucy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 11:00am and 11:45am on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS WATERTON SUITE, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Graveside Service will be held at 12:00pm, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY, 1210 – Scenic Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Memorial Service will follow at 1:00pm, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Margaret-Wirzba
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

ONUFRECHUK, Gloria

GLORIA JOYCE ONUFRECHUK 1933 – 2024 We now entrust God’s care the remarkable gift He gave to us. Gloria Joyce Onufrechuk, cherished mother, sister, Grandma, great Grandma, aunt, great-aunt, sister-in-law, and friend. Gloria died peacefully, surrounded by family on May 12, 2024, at the age of 90 years.
Gloria was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on September 27, 1933, at the Galt Hospital. She married her best friend Bob, June 5, 1954, and widowed on October 28, 1975.
Her memory is cherished by her two daughters, her four special grandchildren, and great-grandson; Lee Van Andel (Rene Jacob) and children Andrea (Sean Mihalcheon), and Robert; Kim Beck (Derek) and sons Austin (fiancee Alexx White) and Chad. She became a great grandma (Gigi) to Andrea’s son Bodhi on Robbie Burns Day. Also mourning her passing are cousins, in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, and her many friends.
Besides her husband Bob, she was pre-deceased by her parents George and Ethel Dodd, and her three brothers Kenneth, Bill and Jim.
Throughout her life, Gloria shared her joyful spirit, generous nature, and deep faith. Her indomitable spirit has been a light in the lives of her family and of many friends. Her warm smile, her infectious laughter and her caring nature will be fondly remembered. Gloria was a life-long member of the United Church, participating in the United Church Women’s Group, Choir, teaching Sunday School, leader of CGIT, counsellor at Canyon Church Camp, and chaperone/conveyor of the Anne Campbell Singers.
Gloria’s table was always surrounded by family and friends. One was known to be a “guinea pig” in a new dish experimentation meal. You could never come into her home without having some food or at least a cup of tea and banana muffin. She loved gardening and grew vegetables and flowers. She spent many hours out in the yard, usually from the crack of dawn to sunset. Gloria travelled the world, exploring new countries and cultures, and making new friends wherever she went. If she wasn’t going someplace, she was planning for her next adventure.
Flowers are gratefully declined. At Gloria’s request there will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life come-and-go tea will be held at a later date.
Gloria asks that you do this: “If you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you”.
Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

EWING, Melody “Mel”

EWING MELODY “MEL” ELAINE EWING, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Jim Ewing, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the age of 75 years.
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

WOLF CHILD, Harrison

WOLF CHILD HARRISON GILMORE WOLF CHILD, Naamsstatomaahka, beloved husband of the late Mary Rose Gros Ventre Boy, passed away on May 10, 2024 in Cardston, AB at the age of 84 years. A Wake Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Friday, May 24 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall on Saturday, May 25 at 12:00 pm. Interment to take place at Pioneer Cemetery, Levern.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.

ARMITAGE, Jacqueline

ARMITAGE Feb. 6, 1944 – May 14, 2024 JACQUELINE MARJORIE ARMITAGE, of Coaldale, passed away peacefully at Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at the age of 80 years, after a long battle with Cancer.
Jackie is survived by her daughter, Samantha (Simon) Scott of Coaldale; sister, Judy (Bryan) Skipworth of Cardston; and brother, Jim Johnson of Lethbridge as well as her three grandchildren: Katie-Anne, Barrett and Cohen, all of Coaldale. She is also survived by her nieces, Suzy (Paul) Larsen of Kelowna and Laurie Bews of Calgary; nephew Ken (Kourtney) Skipworth of Coaldale; great-nieces and nephew: Kace, Keston, Kamryn, Joey, Cat, Charlie and Coco.
Jackie was born in Cardston on February 6, 1944 and was the first born to Cliff Johnson and Margaret (née Dawson) Johnson.
Jackie spent the past couple years living at the Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale and made many friends during her stay. She was usually watching a Blue Jays or Raptors game upon our visits, wearing her team jerseys on gameday.
We are so grateful to the staff at Sunny South Lodge, Home Care nurses: Brad, Lydia and Carla, and Dr Justin Steed and Dr Shukkoor for taking such good care of her during this time.
A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (crhfoundation.ca)

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

HUNT, Annabelle “Anne”

ANNABELLE “ANNE” HUNT 1959 – 2024 Mrs. Annabelle “Anne” Hunt of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Chief Calf, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the age of 64 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

CASWELL, Teresa

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!

HAMILTON, Don

HAMILTON DON HAMILTON, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Faye Hamilton, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the age of 85 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

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