Tuesday, July 29, 2025

By Lethbridge Herald Obituaries on July 29, 2025.

HAMABATA, Hanako

HAMABATA Hanako Nadine Hamabata passed away on July 25, 2025 at the age of 85 years.
A Memorial Service will be held a The Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta, at a later date.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.salmonandsons.ca

PREDDY, Graham

GRAHAM PREDDY 1940 ~ 2025 Mr. Graham Preddy passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the age of 85 years.
Graham is survived by his two sons, Grant (Karen) and Glenn (Stacey); grandchildren Alexandra, Wilson, Graham, and Griffin; sister in-law Carol Preddy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and their families.
We are comforted to know that Graham is now reunited with the love of his life Gloria, and his youngest son Greg, who predeceased him. He missed them both dearly.
Graham’s family acknowledges with sincere appreciation the compassionate and attentive care provided to him by the staff at Good Samaritan Park Meadows Village, and the nurses at Chinook hospital who were so kind.
Cremation has been entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapel.
In keeping with his wishes, Graham will be privately remembered by his family and friends.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish to do so may make memorial donations to the charity of their choosing.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

VAN NISTELROOY, John

VAN NISTELROOY It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of JOHN FRANK VAN NISTELROOY on Thursday, July 17th, 2025 in Lethbridge, AB.
John was born in Lethbridge on January 9th, 1956, the second of seven children to Gerry and Annie Van Nistelrooy. He was raised on the farm in Iron Springs, where he made many memories growing up and working alongside his family.
He met and married his high school sweetheart Bonnie Bailey in Picture Butte, where a vision of the life they would build together first took shape. The goal of having a farm came to fruition when land was purchased in Enchant AB in 1977. Over the next 40 years, he raised his family while continuing to build and diversify the business, with the addition of a cattle operation, and enjoyed success watching it grow. It brought him pleasure spending time with family, building a life and legacy, and making many lifelong friends and memories that were with him until his passing. His unique perspective served him and those around him well, as he volunteered and served on many boards until his retirement to Lethbridge in 2017.
Over the years, he always loved playing cards with family and friends, sought out new challenges, found adventure in travel, and enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren, biking, going to the park, and attending their numerous dance and sporting events. He took great pride in his home and yard, and in always being there when anyone was in need of advice, a helping hand, conversation, a well-timed pick-me-up, or just a coffee together. He could always be counted on.
He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie; two children Jeff (Lynn) and Jodie (Moira); his three adoring grandchildren Beau, Shea, and Taryn; father Gerard Van Nistelrooy; siblings Frank (Helen), Henry (Wendy), Albert, MaryAnne (Soren) Christensen, Martin (Jackie), and Kenny (Karen); as well as brothers and sister-in-law Allan (Shirley) Bailey, Gary (Nita) Bailey and Michelle (Doug) Edwards along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. He is also survived by a close group of his cherished lifelong friends.
He was predeceased by his mother Annie, mother and father-in-law Yvonne and Leroy Bailey, sister-in-law Sheri, niece Adrienne, and close friend Vivian Ragan.
We welcome you to honour the Life of John with us. A Prayer Vigil will be held at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH – 1011 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Jim Manzara officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating. A Reception and Celebration of John’s Life will follow.
A private family Graveside Service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, where John will be laid to rest.
Special thanks to Brenda and the staff at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit for their dedication and compassion, which we deeply appreciated.
To the family and friends who have, and continue to come together in the journey of John’s illness and loss alongside us, we have valued your support, visits, kind words and gifts. There are not words to express how much it has meant to both John and ourselves.
In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you follow in John’s example, and give of yourself in time, caring and gifts to those around you.
The void left in Johns passing can never be filled, and he will be deeply missed now and always by friends, family, and all who knew him.

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

KOGLER, Katherine

KOGLER, KATHERINE KOGLER, of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the age of 94 years.
A Come-and-go Reception will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 1:30 P.M. until 3:30 P.M. at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME – 2825 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB.
Katherine will be laid to rest during a private family Graveside Service in Mountain View Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Good Samaritans Park Meadows for their care and compassion. The family would also like to give a special thank you to Dr. Michael Cunningham.

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

AUSTIE, Antonius “Tony”

AUSTIE ANTONIUS “TONY” AUSTIE of Lethbridge, AB, beloved husband of Mia Austie, passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre, surrounded by family, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the age of 93 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

FLETCHER, Grant

Grant Fletcher 1941 – 2025 Grant Kenneth Fletcher, beloved husband of the late Marilyn Fletcher, passed away peacefully in Taber on Friday, July 25, 2025 at the age of 84 years. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, July 31, 2025 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 – 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by visiting Grant’s obituary page on our website and clicking on the livestream link that will be available at 12:45 P.M. on Friday, August 1, 2025. Barring any technical difficulties, the livestream will begin at 1:00 P.M.
Grant will be lovingly remembered by his three children Janine (Tom) Paterson of Taber and their family Candis Derksen (Darin Linklater), Stacy (Darren) Peleskey (their children Nixon and Aubree) and Daina Paterson (David Guzman); Judy (Andy) Astalos of Sylvan Lake and their family Ryan Astalos (his children Haylen and Farah), Samantha (Chad) Priegnitz (their children Lucas and Ayla) and Megan Astalos (Gavin Mullan) (her children Kacey and Mikaela); David Fletcher (Heather Hamilton) of Red Deer and their family Devin Fletcher (Serenity Wood) (his children Sofia, Eiza and Adalynn), Shawn (Brittany) Fletcher (their children Zander, Jazlin, and Zayla), Dallen (Amal) Baugh (their family Brooklyn and Tala) and Kayla Baugh (Josh Knutson). He is also survived by his sister Arlene Lowe; sisters-in-law Cecile (Roger) Jespersen, Judy Riis and Roberta Robson; dear family members Daniel Derksen, Kathy Rempel, Tabitha Astalos, Blanca Fletcher and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Alongside Marilyn, his wife of sixty years, Grant was predeceased by his parents Ken and Wanda Fletcher; his brother Allen Fletcher; nephew Aaron Jespersen; in-laws Chris and Jessy Riis; brothers-in-law Jack Riis, Roger Riis, George Lowe and former daughter-in-law, Wanda Jean Graber.
A true cowboy at heart, Grant wore many hats throughout his life. He was a pilot, rancher, farmer, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His life was defined by adventure, hard work and deep love for his family.
Born on February 5, 1941 and raised on the family farm southeast of Taber, Grant’s passion for flight took hold early, earning his pilot’s license at just sixteen years of age.
While attending Olds College, he met the love of his life Marilyn and the two were married in Devon on October 15, 1960. Together, they started their family and began farming and ranching southeast of Taber. He received his commercial pilots license and switched gears from farming to flying, where he spent many years in the skies across Canada. From flying spray planes and charter flights to flying helicopters fighting fires, wildlife surveillance and transporting patients in Newfoundland, to flying for an oil company in Inuvik, NWT.
After moving back from Newfoundland, Grant and Marilyn returned to their roots and spent many years farming. In 1990, they launched Fletcher Harvesting, leading custom combining crews from Oklahoma to Alberta. Grant took great pride in his work, knowing each harvest was not only a good crop, it was also a contribution to the wellbeing of others.
In his ‘retirement’ years, he returned to the skies as a founding pilot for HALO Air Ambulance, proudly serving until the age of eighty two, making him the oldest licensed commercial helicopter pilot in Canada.
Grant was a determined, skilled and generous man who touched countless lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
To honour Grant’s incredible legacy, if friends so desire, memorial tributes in his name may be made directly to HALO Air Ambulance, 12 – 1 Airport Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5G4 (www.haloairambulance.com).
Grant’s family are grateful to the health care providers who cared for him with a special thank you to the Palliative Care Team, Taber Home Care and the staff at the Taber Health Centre.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.

KENWOOD, Veronica “Vera”

VERONICA “VERA” KENWOOD 1927 ~ 2025 It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Veronica Ellen Kenwood, beloved wife of the late Mr. Albert Kenwood, on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the age of 98 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.