Saturday, May 3, 2025

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on May 3, 2025.

PACKHAM, Irwin

IRWIN PACKHAM September 8, 1936 – April 14, 2025 It is with great sadness that the family of Irwin Packham announce his passing on April 14, 2025, at the age of 88 years. Irwin was born in Pincher Creek on September 8,1936 and was raised on the family farm. He attended Halifax School east of Pincher Creek and later Matthew Halton High School where he met the love of his life Elba, a sweet farm girl from Twin Butte. Irwin went on to attend the Olds School of Agriculture, and after graduation, he and Elba married.
They began their life together in Medicine Hat before settling in Fort Macleod to raise their five children. Irwin opened Packham Motors selling used cars, and he drove freight liner for the Auction Market and Vanee Livestock before going to work for Safeway Shelter Systems in Claresholm.
In 1977 Irwin and Elba moved to Yellowknife, NWT where they set up Safeway Home Sales and sold mobile and modular homes to many families moving into the community. Two years later, Irwin and Elba made a pivotal decision, and in November 1979, they opened the doors to the Macleods Family Shopping Center in High Level, AB. Years later, through head office sales and acquisitions, their store became known as True Value Hardware, and Irwin and Elba soon found themselves opening a V&S Variety Store. During the years, they won the Chamber of Commerce’s Best Business Award for True Value Hardware, and in 1995 Irwin and Elba were awarded Outstanding Hardware Retailer by Cotter Canada Hardware and Variety Cooperative. In 1995, Irwin became a partner in a new GM dealership in High Level
Irwin was a member of the Board of Directors for High Level and following the incorporation of the town he served on town council for 12 years. In 1989 he proudly took on the role of Mayor of High Level for five years. He was also a contributing member of the Northern Alberta Development Council and Mackenzie Area Restructuring Committee.
Irwin and Elba were supporters of the town’s Aquatic Center, Spring Fling, Hole-in-One Event, 4H Beef Club, Chamber of Commerce, and annual rodeo.
In 1999 Irwin was the recipient of the High Level Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, an honour he truly cherished.
While living in High Level, Irwin and Elba fell in love with a little gem; the Five Star Golf Course along the Little Smoky River. Staking out a place of their own, they worked to build a get-away paradise. Each summer they spent many joy-filled weeks hosting friends and family. Five Star truly became a memorable highlight of their lives. Once retired, they moved back ‘home’ to Fort MacLeod. Irwin and Elba picked up where they left off, enjoying the shenanigans that unfold with a close bunch of friends. Irwin rekindled his hobbies of wine making, smoking meats, and puttering around on home projects. Irwin and Elba travelled with their motorhome to Five Star and many points in the province, spending time in the outdoors with their friends and family.
Irwin leaves behind his children Scot, Joanne (Gordon), Gary, and Jody (Grant), seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and his brother Melvin (Loretta) Packham. He was predeceased by Elba, his loving wife of 67 years, son Darren, parents Frank and Kathleen Packham, brothers, Norman and Lorne and sisters Muriel and Shirley.
The family would like to thank the Pioneer Lodge, Fort Macleod for their compassionate and respectful care while Elba and Irwin lived in residence. In lieu of flowers, please consider an act of kindness.
Family and friends are invited to a Come & Go Remembrance for Irwin on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the REO Hall, 470 17 Street in Fort Macleod, Alberta.
Condolences may be sent through http://www.edensfuneralhome.com

GLOVER, Gordon

GORDON GLOVER 1947 – 2025 Mr. Gordon Glover of Lethbridge, Alberta, passed away on April 23, 2025, at the age of 77 years.
As per request a formal funeral service will not be held, and Gordon will be privately laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery, Lethbridge, Alberta.
Condolences may be forwarded to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

WAKELEN, Charles

WAKELEN It is with great sadness that the family of Charles Kenneth Wakelen announce his passing on April 22, 2025, in Red Deer, Alberta at 79 years old.
Charles was born in Lethbridge, Alberta to Florence and Charles Herbert Wakelen on September 18, 1945. In September of 1969, Charles married his wife of 50 years, Chiyoko “Tami” Omotani, and began a beautiful life together in Lethbridge, where they raised their daughters. It was not until after Tami’s passing that Charles moved to Sylvan Lake, Alberta to be closer to his daughters.
Spending time with his family, playing golf, camping, fishing, or admiring vintage cars were some of his favorite activities over the years. He especially loved sharing his knowledge and stories about his life experiences with his grandchildren.
Charles is survived by his daughters Cindy (Bryan) Hickey and Cherie (Evan) Cardinal; four grandsons Brayden Hickey, Bryce Hickey, Ethan West, and Nevin West; great-grandson Braxton; and sister Marlene Swinton.
He was predeceased by his wife Tami, his parents Florence and Charles H. Wakelen, as well as his brother Ron Wakelen.
On multiple occasions, his family was reminded by others just how kind, caring, and generous Charles really was. It was not hard to see he was truly one-of-a-kind. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched and will be remembered forever.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements, 403-845-2626

WATSON, AL (Roy)

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR (ROY) AL WATSON will be held on Saturday, May 10th between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Polish Hall 745 – 13 Street North

MAIER, Roy

ROY MAIER 1931 – 2025 A Life Well Lived It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Roy Christian Maier in Lethbridge on Monday, April 28, 2025 at the age of 94 years.
A private burial service will be held at the Taber Memorial Garden prior to the funeral service on Friday, May 9, 2025.
The Funeral Service will be held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Roy is survived by his wife of fifty years, Carol Ann; daughters Penny Henzig (Peter Millburn) of Victoria, British Columbia, Crystal (Mike) Manson of Calgary and Carol Maier of Nanaimo, British Columbia; sons Collin (Kirsten) Maier of Medicine Hat and Kent Maier (Christian Lopez Morcillo) of Vancouver, British Columbia; grandchildren Haylee (Brody) Pierson, Joel Manson and Connor Maier; great grandsons Sawyer and Beckham Pierson. He is also survived by his sister Connie Kolthammer; brother Ralph Maier as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by an infant son Carey.
Born on February 11, 1931 to Ruth (née Berryhill) and Bill Maier, Roy was raised in the Wadena district of Taber. He received his education in Taber, Calgary’s Mount Royal College and Olds Agricultural College. After completing his education, Roy pursued his dream of farming, a vocation he loved and continued until 1996.
Following his farming career, Roy spent twenty years with the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation, finishing his tenure as Field Supervisor for the Taber/Brooks region. He served fifteen years on the Alberta Vegetable Marketing Board, where he found great satisfaction in both the work and the enduring friendships it brought. Roy was also proud to serve on the Taber Town Council for nine years.
After retiring to Lethbridge, Roy enjoyed golfing, curling, travelling and spending time with his family and friends. A familiar face at Bully’s Sports Bar, he loved watching horse racing and became a beloved regular. Roy was a devoted fan of the Calgary Stampeders and Flames; he also faithfully supported the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Bulls Baseball Club.
Roy’s greatest joy, without question, was people. He had a gift for conversation and could “shoot the breeze” with anyone. He never missed a chance to connect, whether with a lifelong friend or a stranger.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Roy’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society, #40, 1202 – 2 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0E3 (www.alzheimer.ca).
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

ARLETT, James “Jim”

ARLETT JAMES “JIM” ALBERT ARLETT, beloved husband of Mable Arlett, of Raymond, AB, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, at the Raymond Health Centre on Monday, April 28, 2025 at the age of 79 years.
As per Jim’s wishes, A private family celebration will be held.

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

HENDERSON, William “Bill”

WILLIAM (BILL) DOUGLAS HENDERSON May 6, 1934 – April 27, 2025 We regretfully announce the passing of WILLIAM (BILL) D. HENDERSON (III) on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Our sadness is only tempered by our gratefulness to have shared almost 91 years of life with him and we accept his gentle passing to a long-deserved rest and “happier forever life”. Bill was a much beloved patriarch of the local Henderson group of families that have called Lethbridge home since the late 1800’s. Bill was predeceased by his loving mother Jean and father William S. Henderson (II) who fought valiantly in WWI, and also his grandfather William Henderson (I) and grandmother (Margaret) who immigrated from Scotland in 1879 and settled in Lethbridge in 1885. William Henderson (I) was a prominent local business man and a former Mayor of Lethbridge (1908-1909).
Bill is survived by his loving wife and life time partner of 77 years, Patricia Henderson, who was only 15 when they first met and fell in love. Married to Bill (1956) for almost 70 years, Pat will deeply miss her husband and the many happy times they shared building a life together. William is also survived by three loving sons and their families: 1st son William (Bill)(IV) and wife Mary, their son William Jordan(V) and wife Sarah along with their children William Becket (VI) and Theodora, and as well, their second son Brock and wife Aurielle along with their child Bruin. William is also survived by his 2nd son Dave and wife Lori along with a daughter Jazzmind (Chris) Goeyardi and their child Emerson, and as well, their son Kyle and wife Julie. William is also survived by his 3rd son Doug and wife Shauna, along with a daughter Jamie (Cody) Bosch with kids Seth and Jack, and also their son Ryan and wife Kelti. William is also survived by his only loving sister Margaret Roberts Henderson and her four children Doug, Mark, Gord and Carole and all their associated families.
Bill (22) and Pat (19) married young and the pressures of life ramped up quickly with kids on the way, four mouths to feed, clothe and “provide a roof” as they say. Bill worked hard as a blue-collar guy helping pave the road to Waterton and at night “hustled” some pool to make a few extra bucks. Life wasn’t easy for him with both parents passing in his mid 20’s and now starting his young family with basically nothing but love. It wasn’t long before he searched for a better job and found himself in the banking world which provided some great early training in money and finance, but Dad was never fond of all the moving required in that profession. In his mid 30’s that was all to change as he found his true calling as an entrepreneur, and moved from banking to securing land for Alberta farmers moving to south Saskatchewan as well as building a very distinguished career selling investments. Always putting family first, Bill slept in his car many a night on deserted country roads to save on hotel rooms (there weren’t many and it was a steep $3/night). Before his needs were ever met, he always made sure his boys each had a bike, hockey stick and baseball glove – that was a must! With his business acumen growing, Bill partnered with Gordon and Dave Roberts and formed Green Acres Fertilizer in 1968 which grew to seven plants in southern Alberta over 20 years and became the largest retail fertilizer company in Western Canada until it’s sale in 1988. His entrepreneurial drive continued and the real estate/land development world tugged at his heart strings. Bill partnered with friends/associates and purchased Schwartz Agencies in 1972, then formed BLT Holdings which in the early 80’s built the BLT Center in downtown Lethbridge (after the Schwartz/Enerson fire 1979) and also the Magrath Center on south Mayor Magrath Drive.
His final major project in real estate was assisting the owners of land in south Lethbridge (Fairmont area) with development and sales in that area. Bill was always driven by the “art of the deal” which he loved chasing more than any financial rewards it might bring him. Bill truly loved his friendships with his fellow man. That list is long and although many are now gone, he spoke often of all the great people who connected with him on his “life journey” through the many businesses plus the Kinsmen Club, Elks Club and as a board member of CJOC Radio and the Lethbridge Community College.
Bill shared his financing knowledge and entrepreneurial drive with his sons assisting them with the purchase of the first TacoTime Franchise location in Canada in 1978 on Mayor Magrath Drive. For the next 46 years, Bill and his sons spoke daily and shared many successes/failures in each of their respective businesses. Dad was a great business man, sharp as a tack, amazing with financing/numbers and most importantly always tried to maintain his honesty and integrity throughout his life. There are abundant business memories, sharing a cabin in Whitefish for 30 years, sunny vacation getaways, family barbeques, and Christmas get-togethers. Bill had a great love for all sports playing many competitively himself and further supported numerous organizations in Lethbridge for many years. Bill loved his golf (especially scrambles) and had every gadget and club you could buy to improve your game. Some worked well and others not so much, but that wouldn’t stop him from getting a hole in one at the Riviera Classic/Las Vegas in 1981 and winning a Rolls Royce which he opted not to keep as he was a very humble man and didn’t like drawing attention to himself.
Dad’s greatest love in life was always his family and he had an ear for each and every one of them – everything else came second! Dad always cherished time with Mom, his sons and their sports, daughters-in-law, grandkids and great-grandkids, whether it was working or playing. He cherished every moment with his family and instilled that passion in each of them with their families. We were blessed to have such an amazing father, teacher/mentor to follow and further blessed to have his guidance in our daily lives for so many years! What more does a person ask for from a Dad?
In Dad’s later years, all the businesses, real estate and land development faded into history and was replaced with simple joys with Mom, coming to the office every day to see his sons, share emails with friends and spend quality time with all his extended families. Our world just got a little smaller and he will be forever missed by all of us and many others who had the good fortune of knowing him.
Although he never attended church, Dad had a very strong love for the Father and his son Jesus. He read passages from the bible all his life and enjoyed certain scriptures immensely. He was a quiet and solitary man (that loved to chat) and rarely complained about anything in life. He was always there to help friends and strangers in need and never expected anything in return. Dad spent his final two years living peacefully in Fairmont Extendicare but thankfully the Lord finally came to his side and took him home. The staff at Extendicare were always very kind and accommodated his needs to the best of their abilities and we give them our many thanks for his care and being by his side during his final days.
The family gratefully declines flowers and Bill has requested there be no public funeral and a private family graveside service will be held sometime in the future. Bill’s only final request was for people to help someone in need of love and support, always be kind, and if possible, make a donation to a charity of your choosing. Hug your children and families tightly, no matter their age, as life is fleeting. God Bless to all! Thank you to the staff of Cornerstone Funeral Home for their professional assistance in completing Dad’s final arrangements.

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

NELSON, Joyce

H JOYCE NELSON 1930 – 2025 On April 24th, 2025, our mother Joyce Nelson died nine days before her 95th birthday. Joyce was born on May 3, 1930, in Trochu, Alberta to Geneva and John Dundas. She had three older sisters and two younger brothers and loved her growing years on the family farm.
Joyce attended a small country school for her early grades but moved to the big city of Red Deer to matriculate from high school. She went on to attend Normal School at the University of Alberta and began teaching right away and continued to do so until she started her own family. Joyce was a natural born teacher, and she continued to teach in different capacities as her family grew. She began an impromptu kindergarten for me when my big brother went to school. She was Brown Owl for my Brownie Troop and continued in this job long after I flew up to Guides. In high school we all benefited from her editing skills.
When her youngest son was in junior high, Joyce went back to school. She completed her B.Ed. at University of Lethbridge in 1977 and soon was teaching again at John Davidson Elementary School in Coaldale, where she remained for many years. When Joyce retired, she became a tireless member of the UCW at McKillop United Church where our parents had been member since 1967.
Joyce is survived by her children Mark Nelson, Cheryl (Douglas) Schmitt, and Grant (Dorothy) Nelson; grandsons James Schmitt, Corey Schmitt, Ryan Schmitt and Calvin Nelson will never forget their Grandma Joyce; her brother, Wayne Dundas remembers her too. Her kindness and care for the people she loved will not be forgotten.
Joyce was predeceased by our father, Gordon Nelson after 51 years of marriage, and he is in our thoughts at this time.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, MONDAY, MAY 12, 2025, AT MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 15 AVENUE SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, with Reverend Trevor Potter officiating. A luncheon will follow at the church.
A private interment will be held prior.
Thanks to all the people who looked after Joyce at Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice are welcomed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

LENZ, Emily

EMILY LENZ 1938 – 2025 EMILY LENZ (Vrecko), our beloved mom, grandma, great grandma, aunt, and friend passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the age of 86 years.
Emily was born May 3, 1938, in Calais, Alberta. She was ten years old in 1949 when her mother moved the young family to the current farmstead near Diamond City. Emily went to school in Barrhill, in Diamond City, and graduated from Picture Butte High School. After graduation, she attended Garbett Secretarial School in Lethbridge.
Along the way, Emily met handsome Harry Lenz at a dance. On Christmas Eve, 1956, Harry proposed to Emily on a roadside turnout half a mile from her home. They were married the following year on April 5, 1957. Emily and Harry lived in Lethbridge for a few years. While living in the city, Emily worked at BC Trust and Forster Agency before starting a family.
Baby Cindy came along in the fall of 1959. A year later, Emily, Harry and Cindy moved to the current family farmstead (where Emily continued to reside until her passing). As Cindy started school, the Lenz family grew over the next ten years with the addition of Lisa, Lorne, Mark and an assortment of dogs and cats.
Emily kept busy raising her young family as a stay-at-home-mom while also tending to a vegetable and flower garden, milking a couple of cows and selling cream to make extra money, babysitting neighbourhood kids, gathering fresh eggs from her chickens, raising piglets to sell at market, driving the tractor to assist in the field, changing irrigation hand pipes, and greeting her kids after school with fresh baked cookies and home-canned fruit.
Emily and Harry opened “Harry Lenz Auction Service” in September 1976 and the entire family began working at the regular “Bid ‘n’ Buy” Tuesday night auctions (the tradition continues with some family members working on sale nights). From day one, Emily rarely missed a day in her role as clerk, secretary, and all ’round doing-what-needs-to-be-done-person. Even at age 86 (almost 87), Emily continued to work on a regular basis. Sadly, she was physically absent from the last three Tuesday night auction sales of her life – Tuesday, April 8th she was waiting in emergency for admittance into the hospital, Tuesday, April 15th she watched the auction sale by cell phone, and Tuesday, April 22nd she passed away shortly before sale time and was able to observe the sale from Above.
Life, outside of family and auctions, was filled with the little things of life that contributed to making Emily the caring and giving, (yet strong and stubborn) individual everyone knew. As for some of “the little things”… Emily was known to be an avid collector of “this, that, and the other”; she kept a “Daily Diary” for almost sixty years; she read The Lethbridge Herald daily and if she found mistakes she would circle them with pen; she loved to visit, share stories and advice, and measure her height back-to-back with her grandkids whenever they stopped by; she would wave to the occupant(s) of every vehicle entering or leaving the yard; she enjoyed listening to the news and talk-radio shows on her old-fashioned AM/FM radio; meeting, visiting, sharing ideas and experiences with her weekly auction family members were important motivators in her decision to continue working; she could wiggle her ears and touch her nose with her tongue; her sweet tooth loved black forest cake, a vanilla slice, chocolate rolls, and poppyseed bread; she never tired of Luigis North Baked Chicken Fettuccine; she regularly completed word searches to exercise her brain; her strong hands and nimble fingers stitched MILLIONS (really) of stitches-with-love on her crochet projects and her knitted socks; she enjoyed snapping bubble wrap to relax; while reading before bedtime, she nibbled on colourful Halloween “Rocket” candies; she planted beautiful flowers in her yard each spring (morning glories, geraniums, and begonias) and nurtured an array of houseplants; she would sip on one can of Pepsi for five days; she patriotically hung a Canadian flag in the yard and used it as a weathervane to predict the weather; she enjoyed snooping and scooping up treasures and clothing in Thrift shops; she gently set bugs out of the house instead of squishing them; she called friends on their birthday; she made family favourites of creamed eggs, paprika chicken, and graham wafer cake; she baked bread and cinnamon buns to share with others; she often treated herself to the Dairy Queen 3-Piece Chicken Strip Meal Deal after a Tuesday night sale; people-watching was a favourite activity whenever she went someplace; and she was known to have a splash of instant coffee with her morning cream and sugar. As for some of “the little things”…
Emily has gone to be with Harry, her husband of almost 62 years (who predeceased her in 2019). She is remembered by her children Cindy Block (Tom), Lisa Lenz-Hofer (Ben), Lorne (Emma), and Mark (Susan); her grandchildren Jennifer (Rob), Nathan (Lisa), Derek, Sarah (Nathan), Amanda (Kyle), Ryan, Jeffrey (Sheila), and Michael; her great grandsons Carter and Jackson; numerous nieces, nephews, and their families; as well as many loyal and dedicated individuals that have been adopted into Emily’s extended auction family throughout the past 49 years.
The family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude to the nurses and doctors who treated Emily with respect, empathy, and dignity during her two weeks stay in hospital following her surprising cancer diagnosis. Emily spoke highly of the special care and supportive words of comfort that you continually offered her. Thank you.
Emily did not want a funeral. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to her favourite charities (The War Amps and STARS), or take a moment to do a kind act in memory of Emily, or simply see if YOU can touch your nose with your tongue…
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

VAIR, Jean

JEAN MARY (FRASER) VAIR 1934 – 2025 The family of Jean Vair would like to announce the passing of our beloved Mom at the age of 91 at St. Therese Villa on April 30, 2025, surrounding by family.
She was predeceased by her husband Bill Vair, Jean’s parents Henry and Mary, her sister Josephine, and brothers Harold and Allen.
Jean is survived by her children, David Vair, Linda (Fred) Chomiak, Judy (Stan) Cohen), and Pat Seebeck, eight grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
She will be deeply missed by us all.
A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, buy yourself a cherry sundae, Jean’s favourite.
Condolences may be forwarded to http://www.evergreenfh.ca

HARTY, Marcus “Mark”

HARTY MARCUS “MARK” FRANCIS HARTY, formally of Milk River, beloved husband of Merelyn Harty, passed away peacefully at St. Therese Villa, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, May 1, 2025 at the age of 93 years.
A Prayer Vigil will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Sharon Hagel officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 301 Main Street NW, Milk River, AB, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.
Following the Funeral Mass, a lunch will be provided at a Reception that is being held at the Milk River Civic Centre at 321 – 3 Ave. NE Milk River, AB.
Following the Reception, Mark will be laid to rest in the St. Isdores Cemetery.

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

McCULLEY, Jean

McCULLEY JEAN JESSIE McCULLEY, of Picture Butte, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the age of 77 years.
As per Jean’s request no funeral service will be held.

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