Saturday, September 14, 2024

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on September 14, 2024.

CLARKE, Faye

CLARKE Faye Laraine Clarke lived an amazing life. Born in Lethbridge, Alberta on September 1, 1942 the daughter of Alexander and Helen Clarke, Faye passed away in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 81 on August 8, 2024.
Faye was a proud and devoted mother to Shawn Clarke (Janice Dell), a loving grandmother to Sarah Brown and Alexander Clarke, and a caring sister to Doreen Piontek, Gordon Clarke, and Thelma Friesen.
She joined Sears in September of 1970 and retired in February of 29, 2008 as a manager after 36 and a half years.
She will be missed by her family, friends and all who were lucky enough to have known her.

GIESBRECHT, Margaret

Margaret Giesbrecht 1934 – 2024 Margaret Giesbrecht of Coaldale, Alberta, passed away on September 7, 2024, at the age of 89 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Coaldale Mennonite Church, 2316-17th Street, Coaldale, AB. Margaret will be privately laid to rest in the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery prior to her Funeral Service.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.edensfuneralhome.com

FOGGIN, Julene

FOGGIN Julene Marilyn Foggin, of Beaver Flats, Saskatchewan, passed away at the age of 81 on August 29th, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta.
A memorial and luncheon will be held September 28th, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Westside Stake Centre, 560 Highlands Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB at 12pm. Internment at the Archmount Cemetery, 2710 Westside Dr. West, Lethbridge, AB at 2pm
Julene was born on June 17, 1943 in Beaver Flats, Saskatchewan. She loved to sew, and happily taught her children, grandchildren and other children how. She also loved to garden, go for bike rides and walks in the Coulees.
She is survived by her children, Michelle (Eric) Anderson, Dean (Terry) Foggin, Doug Foggin, and Christina (John) Furlong, her Grandchildren, Amber (Nathan) Aldridge, Jasmine (Christopher) Miller, Christopher Anderson, Dylan (Anne) Anderson, and her Great-Grandchildren, Jordan Anderson, Justin Peterson, Katherina Aldridge, Annacy Aldridge, Lilith Anderson, and Cassandra Anderson.
She is predeceased by her husband Christopher Foggin, her daughter Cynthia Foggin, and her brother Gordon Kroeker.
We’d like to thank Evanston Grand Village for the care they gave her in her last years and Choice Memorial for their services at this time.
She will be dearly missed, we look forward to seeing you again in the next life.

KRAHN, John

JOHN KRAHN 1961 – 2024 Mr. John Krahn, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the age of 63 years.
A Graveside Service will be held at 12:00 PM, on Monday, September 16, 2024, at ROYAL VIEW CEMETERY, 5920 13 STREET NORTH, Lethbridge, Alberta with Pastor Isaac Dyck officiating.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

WONG, Phan

PHAN CHI WONG 1957 – 2024 Mrs. Phan Chi Wong of Calgary, formerly of Lethbridge and beloved wife of the late Mr. Vinh Ho, passed away suddenly at Calgary Foothills Medical Centre on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the age of 67 years.
Phan is survived by her daughters Sally Monaghan, Amy Nicholson, Stephanie Lee-Chen; sons David Ho and Jason Ho; grandchildren Zander Monaghan, Sylas Monaghan, Talon Monaghan, Francis Nicholson, Jaden Ho, and Maxwell Ho; sister Wing Chi Hoang; brothers Duc Chi Hoang, Sat Hoang and Ming Chi Hoang.
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Wayne Kwan, officiating. An inurnment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Friends and family who are unable to attend in person are invited to watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Phan Chi Wong
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

SKRETTING, Dianne

DIANNE SKRETTING 1944 – 2024 Mrs. Dianne Skretting, passed away at home on Monday, September 2, 2024, at the age of 79 years.
Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapel.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

FULLER, Michael

MICHAEL FULLER 1958 – 2024 Mr. Michael Delos Fuller of Lethbridge, born in Taber, Alberta on November 22, 1958, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the age of 65 years.
Michael will be sadly missed by his sisters Bonnie Fuller and Mary Ann Fuller.
He was predeceased by his father Delos Fuller; his mother Phyllis Valgardson; and sister Gail Fuller.
The world has lost a kind and gentle soul.
A Celebration of Michael’s Life will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

CLEGHORN, Gary

GARY CLEGHORN 1955 – 2024 Gary Charles Cleghorn of Picture Butte passed away peacefully with Brenda, Ryan, Ashley, Jalayne and Jeff by his side at St. Michael’s Health Centre.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 pm, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the family campground. Please contact family for directions. Camping is available.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

HUDGINS, William

WILLIAM HUDGINS 1944 – 2024 William “Bill” Hudgins of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Diana Hudgins, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness at Chinook Regional Hospital on September 4, 2024, at the age of 80 years.
Besides his loving wife, Diana, Bill is survived by his children; Stacey (Brian) Wichers, Jason Hudgins, Darryl (Kaylene) Onofrychuck, Shelley (Rory) Smith, grandchildren; Easton, Brittany, Paige, Taylor, Ashely, Matthew, Josh, Gregory, Angela, Nicole; and great-grandchildren, Holly, Damien, Archer and Amelia.
Born in Peterborough, Ontario, Bill’s heart was in Alberta where he had completed his basic training for the United Peace Keeping Forces. Bill moved to Calgary in 1980 and settled permanently with Diana in Lethbridge in 1982. Bill was proud to have worked for Facilities Management at the University of Lethbridge for 28 years.
Bill was a man of few words, but he loved fishing with best friend, Sonny and looked forward to getting together at Keho Lake to catch up and put a pole in the water. Bill also enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s soccer, football and hockey games and attending dance recitals.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish, memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A private family service will be held later.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

MACHACEK, Frank

Frank Machacek 1942 – 2024 Frank John Machacek, beloved husband of Linda Machacek, passed away in Taber on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the age of 81 years. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com. Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

SANDERSON, Ronald “Ron”

RONALD “RON” SANDERSON 1941 – 2024 Mr. Ronald “Ron” Sanderson of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Nellie, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the age of 82 years.
In keeping with his wishes, Ron will be privately remembered by his loving family and friends.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

REIL, George

REIL George Absalom Reil, of Magrath, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the age of 84 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Magrath Garden Place Chapel, on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Friends may meet the family at the church prior to the service from 12:00 to 12:50 pm.
To send a message of condolence please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

SONNENBERG, Erna

SONNENBERG Erna Sonnenberg, beloved wife of the late Adam Sonnenberg, passed away on September 12, 2024 at the age of 92 years.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday September 21, 2024 at the CHRIST TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 416 12 St S, Lethbridge, AB.
A Viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45am prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christ Trinity Lutheran Church.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

KATAKAMI, Eleanor

KATAKAMI ELEANOR KATAKAMI beloved wife of the late Kozie Katakami passed away with her daughter Linda by her side on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at the age of 92. Her passing was sudden after a courageous battle with cancer.
Eleanor was born February 22, 1932 in Cloverdale BC, daughter of Otogoro and Utano Osaka. Her family was relocated to Raymond, Alberta in 1942. In 1950 the Osaka family moved to Picture Butte. Eleanor married Kozie on December 12, 1955. They lived in Picture Butte and she worked at the Insurance Agency. She enjoyed golfing, curling, bingo, going to the casino and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. After many grand dogs she was overjoyed to welcome in her life two grandchildren, Richie and Sarah, whom she cherished till her passing. Through out her life she had very special friends whom she loved dearly: Lois Hattori and Yoko Gillies. She shared a lifetime of adventures and many laughs and a few tears with Lois and Yoko… The 3 Musketeers were blessed with a fourth, Sam Gillies. Sam chauffeured, cooked, entertained and generally watched out for their well being. Evelyn Osaka, her niece also played a part as her special angel. Eleanor was considered a “favorite” Aunt by many of her nieces and nephews.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Eleanor is survived by daughter, Linda (Jim) Hubbell; grandchildren Richie (Brita) Hubbell; Sarah Hubbell and granddogs, Ollie and Jeter; step grandchildren Sean (Debbie) Hubbell; Erin (Mike) Hubbell and Liana (Brian) Trenker and many nieces and nephews and step great grandchildren.
Eleanor was predeceased by her husband, Kozie; infant child; her parents Otogoro and Utano Osaka; siblings Masau, George (Kikue), Mary (Itchitaro), Harry (Mae), Frank (Kay), Hugh (Yumiko), Sidney,
In lieu of koden and flowers, memorial donations in Eleanor’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
A private service will be held at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

SPOTTED BULL, Julia

SPOTTED BULL JULIA THERESA SPOTTED BULL, “Maanaakii” (New Woman), beloved wife of the late Fred Spotted Bull, and mother to Russell (Rayanne) Spotted Bull and Laurie Spotted Bull, passed away on September 11, 2024 in Cardston, AB at the age of 77 years. A Wake Service will be held at the Tanner Center, Cardston, AB on Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Hill Chapel, Cardston (950 Main St.) on Friday, September 20 at 1:00 pm. The interment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.

HAUBRICH, Delmar

HAUBRICH DELMAR FRANK HAUBRICH passed away suddenly at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the age of 85 years.
A Celebration of Delmar’s life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 3:30 P.M. with Caroline Langford officiating.

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

VARGA, Steve

VARGA Sept. 26, 1938 – Sept. 4, 2024 STEVE VARGA, of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Margaret Varga (née Such) in 2011, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at the age of 85 years.
Steve is survived by daughters: Chris (Neil) Donaway, Dawn (Shawn Whale) Danka, Ilona (Kevin) Theodore, and Karen (Chris McTighe) Varga; along with grandchildren: Jared, Crystal (Mark), Chase, and Cam; and great-granddaughter Piper.
Like so many others, Steve Varga fled from his home country of Hungary during the 1956 Revolution at age 17, to land in Canada with little more than the clothes on his back. Working several jobs, including hoeing sugar beets and working the railroad as he learned the language, he was taken on by the City of Lethbridge where he worked for 33 years as an electrician before his retirement.
Dad was an avid lover of all outdoor activities, and soon his many fishing and camping trips were shared with his beloved wife Margaret and his daughters. He could be always found out hunting, fishing, camping with family and friends, working in the vast yard tending his grapes, or tinkering in the garage or his shop. Winters were spent playing cards with friends, and in his later years the Sunday family game of 31 was the event he looked forward to all week; the wine and laughter around that table were pure delight for him, and he could always make us laugh, even when he had no idea how funny he was.
Dad’s talents lay in gardening, smoking meat, and making wine, the bounty all of which he shared graciously. He always enjoyed helping the Hungarian Cultural Society make sausage for their annual Grape Harvest Ball, and everyone loved his homemade smoked sausage and bacon. In his retirement years his garden became his pride and joy, and you never left his house in summer without an armful of vegetables. His generosity, sense of humour, and the smell of the smokehouse on his jacket will be truly missed.
Rest easy, Papa Bear.
A Celebration of Steve’s life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.

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

MITCHELL, Gregory

MITCHELL It is with profound sadness and much love that we mourn the loss of GREGORY HAROLD MITCHELL, beloved husband and best friend of Cary, devoted father and endless champion of Kennedy, Aidan and Hudson; and loyal buddy to Abe.
Greg passed in the arms of his beloved family on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The first to laugh, the first to cry, and the first to end every conversation with “I love you.” His loyalty, humour, laughter and zest for all things funny brought joy to all those who were blessed to call him a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle and a friend. He was loved more than he will ever know.
A Celebration of Greg’s life will be held at Greg and Cary’s home, #5 Canyon Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be forever grateful for any help in finding a cure. Donations may be made directly in memory of Greg to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (www.cholangiocarcinoma.org)

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

LANIER, Thomas “Tom”

LANIER September 18, 1951 – September 10, 2024 THOMAS “TOM” STRATTON LANIER, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at home.
Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home.

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

DODD, Kathleen “Kathy”

DODD KATHLEEN “KATHY” ANN DODD, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 6th, 2024 at the age of 73 years.
At Kathy’s request, no funeral service will be held.

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

STEINKE, Warner

STEINKE, Warner September 24, 1938 – September 6, 2024 Warner Ronald Steinke passed away peacefully at the South Calgary Health Campus on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the age of 85 years. He was a loving father of Alexandra and Claudia Steinke, and proud grandpa of Ryker Steinke. He was predeceased by his wife Joy Steinke in September 2009, and his son Warner Steinke Jr. in November 2020.
Our dad was born in Pincher Creek, the youngest of the three sons of Albert and Anna (Hoffman) Steinke. His own father, Albert and grandfather, Emil died about a month apart in 1940 because of a farming mishap, just before he turned two years old. His widowed mother was left with three little boys and a farm to run. Old cowboys, ranch hands and hired men (many of whom were his uncles) became his companions, caretakers and teachers. The birds, dogs, horses and cows were his faithful friends.
His love of the land, cattle and horses was cemented in those years; Albert had made it clear that the land was to pass to his boys. To her credit, Anna did everything she could to make sure his wish was honored.
With his mother’s remarriage, they moved to Claresholm, and life changed drastically. Dad made a point of not talking much about this period, but life was not kind to him in those years. After graduation, he headed off to the University of British Columbia, in his words ‘driving ’til I got to the ocean’ and completed a degree in Animal Husbandry.
In 1960 our parents met at a dance hall in Vancouver. He walked by her several times before finally deciding to ask her to dance. She said she could still see him in her mind’s eye, strolling across the dance floor in her words “so cocky and sure of himself.” He was a good dancer, and when the night was over, he asked if he could drive her home. She said no, she had her own car. But he was not deterred.
She remembered glancing in her rearview mirror, thinking this guy must be crazy because he told her he lived in Kitsilano, so what in the world was he doing following her all the way over to East Hastings? In the end, he pulled up behind her in her parent’s driveway and asked for her phone number.
They didn’t realize it until later, but they had almost met some time before through her friend Maureen, whose mother owned a boarding house. Maureen happened to mention one day that they had a new boarder from Alberta staying with them – he was lots of fun and the phone was ringing off the hook for him. “You should meet him Joy, he’s really cute.” Mom thought about it for a minute, until Maureen added that he also wore cowboy boots. “Oh, no thanks.” she said, “There’s no way I would ever go out with a guy who wears cowboy boots.” They wed in June 1963 and were married for 46 years.
Some of our happiest childhood memories come from that old pink and white bungalow in Lethbridge near Henderson Lake. It’s Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass playing on the old record player in the living room, wintergreen lifesavers in his pocket and waking up to hear him in the kitchen sneaking ice cream in the middle of the night. It’s waiting for him to come home, and climbing all over him after supper as he lay stretched out on the floor, resting on his elbows and watching the Waltons or Carol Burnett.
Even now I can still hear the sound of his voice when he would sing the three birdie songs just for us. Steady and deep and clear, he would sing the story of the lonely little robin, the sparrow in the treetop and the bluebird on the windowsill. Once in a while he would change animals and relay the familiar tune about the doggie in the window or the horses that won’t eat their hay.
And the last one, he would remind me always, was the first song he ever learned.
We moved to an acreage outside of Fort Macleod in 1976. At the time, we were one of the first families to live at the Oldman River bottom. Mom and dad worked hard to make it lovely and make it home. The River Valley Wilderness Park that people in the area now enjoy year-round, was once part of our dad’s land.
For over twenty years, Dad was a cattle buyer for Canada Packers. It was the only thing he ever wanted to do. He was an astute cattle buyer known for being shrewd, fair and trustworthy in his business dealings. He was hired by Canada Packers right out of school to work in the accounting office. But it didn’t take long for all of them to realize accounting was not his thing. He often disappeared and couldn’t be found until somebody thought to look outside with the cows. There he was, hanging out in the pens. His boss, Slim Dorin, noticed he had an eye for cattle and decided to give him a chance. Slim handed him $1000 and told him to go see if he could make some money, and that was the last they ever saw of dad in the accounting office. His territory covered Vancouver to Calgary until he was transferred to Calgary, and then Lethbridge.
As kids, we witnessed the days when he couldn’t wait to get going in the morning and couldn’t wait to come home at night. He was never one to sit at a desk but give him a job to do, a place to be and a car to drive and that was all he needed. He was in his element travelling the back roads, bullshitting with the farmers and happiest with the wind at his back, dust in his hair and overshoes covered with manure.
We’ve seen him, bidding at the sales with nothing more than a virtually imperceptible nod of his head. We’ve seen him, stock whip in one hand, climbing into a pen of cattle like he owns the place.
The cattle know it too. They gaze at him warily, bat their eyelashes and clear a path for him as he makes his way from one end to the other, side to side, counting, inspecting, noticing things the untrained eye would inevitably miss. He liked that it was a calculated risk, that if you know what you are doing you can make a lot of money, but you can lose it just as fast, and that’s what kept him in the game.
One of his favourite things to do was take his kids to work with him. From the time young Warner was walking, he was with dad, getting up before dawn to sort cattle, going to the auction market in Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, visiting with the farmers and ranchers. If he came home to discover that one of us had a day off from school his first question was “Are you coming with me tomorrow?” And off we went.
One day, in the 1980’s at the Pincher Creek auction with the sale packed with buyers, ranchers and spectators alike, the auctioneer announced:
“Warner, there’s a call for you.”
As dad went out to the phone booth in the lobby the auctioneer paused and said, “We’ll just wait till Warner gets back to continue.”
You could have heard a pin drop. He might have only been gone for five minutes, but it seemed much longer. When he finally returned, I was so relieved, staring wide-eyed at him from the side of the bleachers. Walking back to his seat, he caught my eye, chuckled and gave me a wink. Nothing more was said until we got home that night.
“Mom, they stopped the whole sale to wait for dad to finish his phone call.”
My mom laughed, but didn’t look too surprised.
Long after his cattle-buying days were over, it was not uncommon for us to encounter some random person in a restaurant, in a bar, at a corner store who would hear our last name, ask “Is your dad Warner Steinke?
When we said yes, their whole demeanour would change because somebody always had a horse story or a tale about a cattle deal that somehow involved themselves, or their own dad, their grandfather, their uncle… stories that had been told to them time and time again.
In 1986, our parents became proprietors of the Ranchland Inn Motel in Nanton. Mom was the “ram rodder” as dad would say and loved the people aspect of the business. Dealing with people was not dad’s favourite part, but they understood each other and were a good team, building a solid business with visitors returning year after year. They sold the motel in 2006, moving to Lethbridge where mom found her dream home in Paradise Canyon.
Our dad could say more with a nod, a glance, or an ever-so-slightly raised eyebrow than he ever did with words. His strong sense of right and wrong never wavered. It is against everything he is, to not pay what you owe. If you need it, take it, but always return it. If you’re mad, have your say, but then be done with it. Don’t hold grudges. Pay your own way, no matter what, and always try, even if you don’t really feel like it, to be decent and kind.
He taught us to fight for what we believed in, to say what we feel, no matter whether our intended audience liked it or not. He always reminded us to “use your brains”… “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”, and “Remember who you are.”
Sometimes we would catch him purposely fighting with us, testing us, as if he needed to be sure when he left this earth, we will be strong for him, will not be beaten down by life, will not be taken advantage of. That is one of the worst things of all in this mind, letting other people push you around, and he was delighted when we didn’t let him do it to us either. He liked backbone, our dad. He liked to see it. His green eyes twinkled and he never failed to laugh quietly to himself when he saw it in his children.
He was always watching whether we realized it or not. Dad was our best driving companion because he never took his eyes off the road. He could sit silently for ages seemingly enjoying the ride when suddenly, he would calmly remark “Watch this guy…” or “There WAS a stop sign there…or “Keep your eyes on the road” … and my favourite, “What the hell are you waiting for?”
There has never been a winter when he didn’t ask me if I had good boots, mitts, and if my coat was warm enough. In university, instead of waiting to hear about our day from mom, he started calling us at night on his own. It became his ritual, and we looked forward to it, as he was always good for a laugh. He often imparted words of wisdom, or a quote he found, like “Don’t eat chips while trying to listen to the ocean.” Or, if tomato soup was on sale at IGA, he had to call and ask if I wanted some.
He was forward thinking and frugal. He never owned a credit card, always paid cash. Out of the blue he would remind me to get the oil checked, change the furnace filter or just start talking about that terrible front step at my house that needs fixing. Even last week, he reminded me to be careful about that sharp corner on Kerr Road because he didn’t want me ending up in the ditch.
The name Warner means ‘protective soldier.’ He was definitely that and more. He loved us fiercely, and deeply and we knew it. In good times and bad, he was our compass, and we adored him.
In many ways, while our mom focused on showing us how to live, our dad taught us how to survive. Mom’s sudden passing in 2009 and Warner’s tragic death in November 2020 were devastating for all of us, but dad’s sometimes quiet, often thundering strength never left him. He was stoic when the doctors informed us that mom wasn’t likely to survive her stroke, and when they wanted to talk about next steps, all three of us froze… and looked straight at dad, who made the call.
After our mom passed away, we wanted to do something special for dad, so we decided to restore the original Steinke homestead, which was built about 1890 and was still standing strong on family land southwest of Pincher Creek. We hired an architect from Big Fork, Montana, who specialized in custom log homes and homestead restoration. The result was the creation of the ‘Steinke Family Cabin’.
The cabin was designed for aging in place and many of the materials from the original home were repurposed and incorporated into the new design, so that anyone who walks in can quickly become aware of our family legacy and traditions. We used materials such as timbers, logs and stone from the original home, carefully considering the views, access, sun, wind, and privacy, and arranging each room in relation to the landscape. Dad always seemed most at peace at the cabin, and it has given us all a place to come back to, a place to stop and get our bearings in a world that moves too fast.
Dad often had a remarkable way of reminding us to deal with what was in front of us. In 2014, when I told him he was going to be a grandpa, his first instinct was to make sure I had the number for the cab company in case I had to get to the hospital fast.
When Ryker Manuel Warner Steinke came into the world, dad was ready and waiting. He was one proud grandpa, in awe of this little being who looked so much like him. Ryker spent most of the first six months of his life living in his grandpa’s house and has probably spent more time with his grandpa in his nine short years than most little boys his age. When grandpa speaks, Ryker listens, and he became Grandpa’s little helper. Where once dad would call out to Warner for help, in recent months he started calling out for Ryker which made Ryker feel pretty special.
Dad was tougher than tough and blessed with a strong constitution. Perhaps because he had no concrete memories of his own dad, he understood better than most what it was like to go through this world without one. For years now, if I asked him if he was okay, his response was always the same, “As long as you are okay, I am okay.”
In the last year or so, every time the doctors figured he wasn’t going to pull through, he did. He had long ago decided that he had to make it long enough to be damn sure in his own heart that his kids would be okay without him. And nobody was going to tell him otherwise.
Claudia was the most devoted caregiver and looked after him better than anyone else ever could. She nursed him, fought for him, fought with him, advocated for him, and more than once practically moved mountains trying to get him the care he needed while also ensuring that it was high-quality care. He was blessed to have her by his side every day.
When things took a turn, we were sent a most serendipitous blessing – Lloyd Sproule and dad were good friends during his cattle-buying days, both from Pincher Creek. Both men ended up in the same situation, time, and place. Both were at South Health Campus Hospital in Calgary, on two different floors. Lloyd’s daughter Vanessa would come up to see dad and support us, and we would go down to see Lloyd and support Vanessa. Both families had to decide on their dad’s care at the same time on the same Thursday morning. The men died 24 hours apart. Having Vanessa and her dad there going through the same exact thing at the same time made the whole experience much easier to bear.
Ryker once posed a question to his grandpa at the supper table.
“Grandpa, if you could have any wish, what would you wish for?
My dad looked straight at me, almost as if wondering why anybody would ask him that, so I rephrased the question for him. “Ryker wants to know, if you could have anything in the world what would you wish for?” My dad, ever practical and as honest as the day is long, looked at me with clear eyes and then looked over at his grandson again. “I have everything I need,” he said.
Last year, when asked what he thought we need to remember most about life, his response was simple:
“Believe in mysteries … hang on to your ass.”
Each and every one of us would do well to remember the same.
Our dad and our brother will be buried together on a hill looking over the family cabin later in September.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Warner’s family at http://www.MHFH.com.
In living memory of Warner Steinke, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.

FROMM, Morris

FROMM MORRIS JAMES FROMM, son of Moses and Ruth Fromm, of Raymond, passed away on September 12, 2024 at the age of 73 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

WILDE, Dexter

Dexter M Wilde 1944 – 2024 Just a ‘cowboy and his lady’, Dexter Merrill Wilde, beloved husband of Lourdes Lynn Wilde of Welling, Alberta, passed away at Lethbridge Chinook Regional Hospital on September 11, 2024, at the age of 79 years.
He is also the loving father of Carrie Wilde (Guillaume), Jaime Wilde (Brett), Tammy Wilde (Michael), Shian Wilde (Chelsey).
He is also the loving grandfather of Corbin and Hadley Wilde, Hayden and Salomon Hounjet and Kellen Wilde-Turvey.
He is also survived by his brothers, Darwin (Sue) and Cameron (Wendy) Wilde.
He was predeceased by his parents, Betty and Elmer Wilde.
Dexter was a small-town cowboy at heart, who lit up any room he walked into. He was authentic, blessed with a great sense of humour and had an impeccable sense of ‘cowboy’ style. His strong work ethic began at a young age, helping him build his company, Wagon Train Express. This good-looking thoughtful cowboy will be dearly missed by his family.
Friends may meet with the family on September 16th, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Welling Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Funeral Services will be celebrated at the Welling Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 62080 AB-5, Welling, AB on September 17th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Danny Balderson. Interment to follow in Cardston Cemetery.
Live-stream will be available on the funeral home web-sight.
To share condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca

GRAMS, Rudolph “Rudy”

GRAMS RUDOLPH “RUDY” GRAMS, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the age of 92 years.
A Come and Go Reception will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 1:00 till 3:00 P.M.

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

TAMMINGA, Willem “Bill”

TAMMINGA WILLEM “BILL” TAMMINGA, of Picture Butte, passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Buffalo Grace Manor, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, and as he liked to say at 99 years, 5 months and 6 days.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Jan (Rosanne) and their children: Jan (Mackenzie), Jennifer (Alex), Jeremy (Christine Runge) and Jason; Grace and her children: Kayli (Chad), MacKenzie (Heather) and Anthony (Alicia); Brian (Rose) and their children: Kyle (Kim), Breea, and Spencer (Madi); Arthur (Darcy Visser) and his children: Larissa and Rebecca; Therecia (Dave) and their children: Cody (Kelcey) and Carlin (Arjan Gill). Including all his great grandchildren: Riley, Levi, and Isabelle (Jan & Mackenzie); Addison and Luna (Jennifer & Alex); Kinsley, Beckham, and Hadley (MacKenzie & Heather), Carter and Cooper (Anthony & Alicia); Oaklan (Spencer & Madi); and Sadie and Everett (Cody & Kelcey).
Willem was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years Janna, son Peter and two sisters, Elly and Jantje.
Willem was born to Jan and Greetje on April 5, 1925, in Bedum, Netherlands. He was the oldest of three children.
He grew up and went to school in Bedum. Bill met his future wife (and love of his life) Janna after his time in the army and the Indonesian War in 1950. Bill and Janna were married February 9, 1955, in Bedum, and immigrated to Canada in April 1955. They traveled by boat to Halifax and then train across Canada to Lethbridge to start a new life on the Nieboer’s farm in the Iron Springs area as a farm laborer. He also worked at LNID, Picture Butte Sugar Factory, Ed Bartel Construction, and 25 years at Haney Farms before retiring to their house in Picture Butte. He was proud of his whole family. In his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, sitting on the front step watering the lawn with a garden hose, and having a shot of Jager with family and friends.
A Private Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family wants to thank Dr. M Singh, and all the staff at Buffalo Grace that cared for Willem and Cornerstone for all their help.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Willem’s memory may be made to GoodHearts Foundation, 2nd Chance Trail Ride, 468 Southgate Centre NW. PO Box 76066, Edmonton, AB, T6H 5Y7.

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