2021 Obituary

Louie Karl Berg
April 29, 1936 – Jan. 3, 2021

Louie “Karl” Berg was born April 29, 1936 as a first generation Canadian in Cereal, Alberta, to Helen “Molly” and Louie Berg. He spent his early years growing up on the family farm with his younger siblings Harington and Peggy near Sedalia, Alberta. During his youth he travelled with the Air Cadets and attended Camrose Lutheran College completing his grade 12. Following his schooling, Karl travelled between the farm and Edmonton working at various jobs including a Cab Driver, Meat Cutter, and eventually becoming a Lineman for Alberta Power.
At the age of 24, Karl married his lifelong companion Edna Mae (Dianne) Postnikoff on July 16, 1960 and continued to reside in Edmonton. They would soon after start a family welcoming a son Darcy followed by a daughter Debbie. In 1966 following the tragic death of his brother Harington, Karl moved his young family back to the homestead to settle on the family farm. They would welcome their youngest child Cindy to the family in 1973.
Over their lifetime, Karl and Dianne travelled on countless trips and cruises to destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East. Together they owned and lived in numerous properties in Western Canada including time spent in Surrey, Edmonton, Consort and Cochrane while continuing to maintain the farm for most of these years.
Karl had a yearning for live horse racing; his family members and travelling companions typically got to learn where most of the thoroughbred racetracks were while exploring different cities throughout North America. His love of a good card game was evident to all who knew him, as there were many nights spent around the kitchen table with family and friends alike laughing while sharing stories and enjoying good company. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time at the Casino where he was always quick to make a new friend at the blackjack or backgammon table.
Karl was extremely bright with a lifelong passion for learning through the pursuit of many writings including self-described “ground-breaking theories” on the laws of physics, gravity and electricity that are copyrighted in his name. It wasn’t uncommon to find him tinkering in the garage until the early hours of the morning where he was content working on various projects and “inventions” including patents on equipment design.
As a husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; Karl was a quiet patriarch of his family. Karl could always be counted on to join in on all family events and thought nothing of travelling long distances to do so. He was well respected by his family and many friends throughout the community. The generosity of Karl throughout his lifetime had a profound effect on many of those around him and has helped shape the foundation of the generations that will follow. He was kind, gentle, and possessed a child-like sense of humour that is attested by many of the practical jokes he enjoyed playing on those around him. Described as an all-around “good man” – Karl will be greatly missed by all.
Louie Karl Berg is survived by his three children, Darcy (Rita), Debbie (Daryl), Cindy (Brynn); eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, Kyle Stenger (Laurel), Boden and Cali, Curtis Stenger (Amber), Dustin and Riley, Ryan Berg (Carole), Dax, Wrenn, Krew, Jocelyn Johnson (Phil), Jason and Gavin, Damien Berg (Ashley), Jayda, Chase, Danni, Brenden Berg (Katie), Charlie, Harington, Fenton, Danton Berg (Stephanie), Knox, Troy Teichrib (Jessie), Liberty Laughlin, Lincoln Laughlin, Zara Laughlin; sister, Margaret “Peggy” Telford of Calgary, Alberta; three nephews and their family, Harington Telford (Sue), Shane Telford (Pam), Shelby, Cameron, Austin and Rayanne, Derrick Telford (Sue), Evan
Karl was predeceased by his wife Dianne (Postnikoff) Berg (Jan. 27, 2019); brother-in-law, Richard Telford (June 2019); father-in-law, Henry Andrew Post (April 2000); mother-in-law, Cora “May” Post (Feb. 2013); mother, Helen Mary (nee Hawes) Berg (July 1986), brother, Alfred Robert “Harington” Berg (June 1966), father, Louie K Berg (May 1955).
Due to the current Covid restrictions the family is planning a celebration (early summer) at Evergreen Cemetery in Edmonton, Alberta.
Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.cochranecountryfuneral.com

Frances Sumner
April 18, 1944 – Jan. 13, 2021

Frances Rosemary Sansregret Sumner of Consort, Alberta passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the age of 76 years.
She is lovingly remembered and cherished by her children: Marie (Donald), Denise (Blane), Jay, Ann, Beth, Joey, Jack (Lisa) and Heather; and her beloved grandchildren: Linda, Charles, Jesse, Nastashia, Darcey, Zachary, Brayden, and Tristan. She leaves behind her brothers: Joe and Harvey; her sisters: Agnes, Lorraine, and Lucille; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband Jack, her brothers Ivor and Herman, and her sister, Doreen.
Frances was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan and grew up on a farm there with her family until she moved to Consort in the early 1960’s. She enjoyed playing sports as a young girl, particularly baseball with her siblings. She worked at a variety of jobs throughout her life, including as a telephone operator for AGT, days she looked back on fondly.
She was an avid volunteer in her community and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand to her friends and neighbours. She loved shopping, travelling, dancing, music, and playing the guitar. She was an avid curler and played for years with her good friends Evelyn, Ella, Sophie, amongst many others. She went on many adventures and shopping trips with good friends Sheila, Sharon, Bev, Laurie and so many more. She loved the friends she made throughout the years and always appreciated their kindness and support through good times and bad.
Frances was a loving and supportive wife to Jack. When they weren’t busy farming and ranching and raising their children, they travelled to many places near and far, and loved seeing the world together. His loss was sudden and tragic, but she carried on with dignity and grace to keep his legacy alive.
She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and our large extended family. She had a great sense of humour and always loved a good joke and a laugh. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.
The family sincerely thanks the staff at Royal Oak Manor in Lacombe for the compassionate loving care they provided to Frances.
A celebration of life will be held sometime this summer when larger gatherings are allowed. Details will be shared with everyone at that time.

Marilynn Carol Deagle
Dec. 12, 1959 – Jan. 19, 2021

Mom was born and raised in B.C., growing up in Midway on the Boltz family ranch. Mom was raised as a devout Catholic and continued to practice her faith throughout her entire life. Never being afraid of hard work was a defining attribute of hers. She would tell the story of hauling small square hay bales by hand with her family in the 40-degree heat. It was something that she was proud of and is one of the earliest indications of her character. Her upbringing also left a soft spot for the prized Hereford cattle that were raised on the Boltz ranch.
After graduating as valedictorian from high school she left on the bus at age 17 to attend the University of British Columbia taking general studies for a year. She decided that the city was not for her and opted for the small-town atmosphere of Lakeland College in Vermilion. Mom graduated with a diploma in Animal Health Technology and took a job in Consort. It was while working at the Consort Vet Clinic that she met the love of her life. Rick and Marilynn were married in Greenwood, B.C. on July 10, 1982. From there they started a life together on the Deagle ranch with their shared values of hard work, loyalty, faith, and kindness as the foundation in which they would raise their family upon.
Family and her marriage were the highest priority in Mom’s life. She loved us fiercely and raised us with an unconditional love that we will never forget and be eternally grateful for. Her family was her pride and joy, her entire world. Prior to becoming a Grandma, she was so longing for grandkids but in her own kind way did not want to put pressure on any of her children. She had once decided that the farm dog Jess needed to have puppies, so that she could have some ‘gran-puppies’! Once she became a Grandma, she stepped into her role seamlessly, a role she fulfilled like no other. Her grandchildren were able to experience first-hand the incredible love she possessed. They were the highlight of her days and there was never a moment she did not make time for them, no matter how busy she was. She left an imprint on their hearts that will last a lifetime.
She found great sanctuary in growing her gardens and flowerbeds. Her home always reflected her personality as it was warm, inviting, spotless and full of laughter. She made sure to always give her absolute best effort at everything she did, and it always showed. Mom was a giving person, constantly putting others first. She not only volunteered but was always an integral member of the committees she was a part of at the church, 4H club, funeral committee, and countless other groups in the community.
Mom strived to do the best job she could at anything she set her mind to. Nothing gave mom more satisfaction than hosting family events and cooking for those she loved. Her ‘Marilynn Meals’ were well known around our family and friends, community or farm crews. It was not uncommon for her to work the morning at ATCO, which she did for 22 years, make lunch, work on the ranch, make supper and do the books until late into the evening. She was one of a kind.
Mom fought so hard to be with us through her battle with cancer and we are so thankful for every single day we were able to spend with her. She had an energy, an aura that anyone and everyone could feel when they were around her. It was a calming, soothing feeling that you were appreciated, important and would be taken care of as long as you were there. In the days since her passing, the number of condolences that have echoed these thoughts has been a true confirmation of the type of person she was. The unimaginable grief and sorrow we feel from losing her is a testament of the absolute and unfailing love from her that we now find ourselves so incredibly fortunate to have felt.
Sadly, Marilynn passed away surrounded by the love of her family on January 19, 2021 at the Provost Health Centre at the age of 61 years.
Marilynn will be forever loved and missed by her husband, Rick, children; Amy Deagle, Renée Deagle Creasy (Clay), Trevor Deagle (Danica) and Pamela Deagle; grandchildren, Aubrey, Cooper, Noelle, Davyn and Quinton; Mom, Rose Boltz; mother in law, Bernice Deagle; brother, Bill Boltz; sisters, Jane (John) Cameron and Theresa (James) Lewis; brothers and sisters in law, Murray Flanders, Cathy (Frank) Van Humbeck, Dennis (Cheryl) Deagle, Anne (Grant) Armstrong, Pat (Trish) Deagle and Maggie (John) Baier; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Marilynn was predeceased by her dad, Dan Boltz; sister, Ann Flanders; father in law, Maurice Deagle; and nephew, Nicholas Baier.
To honour our mother’s selfless and giving memory we ask that if you are able, to please donate blood. We also ask that any monetary donations are made to the Provost Auxiliary to help provide future families the comfort it provided us.
Due to the circumstances we are opting to delay the interment and celebration of life to a time when we can be surrounded by family, friends and community.

Gwendolyn Irene Gramlich
Jan. 11, 1934 – Jan. 21, 2021

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Irene Gramlich was born on January 11, 1934 in Altario, Alberta, to parents, Ragnvald and Margaret Hagen. Gwen passed away on January 21, 2021 at the Consort Hospital & Care Centre – Long Term Care at the age of 87.
Gwen spent almost her entire life in Altario, Alberta. Over those years she was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a Grandmother – and recently a Great Grandmother. And interspersed over that same time she was also a friend and a supportive community member. Gwen was born into a family of music and dance. The entire family (Gwen had 2 sisters and 2 brothers) learned how to play musical instruments and sing and dance. And strum and pick and sing and dance they did ……. as a family – for decades. Family gatherings, regardless of who was hosting, always took the same format – the card table and the card players in one room, ….. and ‘The Band’ in another. Gwen’s oldest sister, Mary, married and relocated, …… while the remainder of the family all remained in the Altario, Consort and Provost areas, thereby affording family gatherings with limited travel. ‘The Band’ lived on, with brothers Ken and Ron on guitar, and Gwen and Evelyn on heavenly harmony vocals. Oh to have had Smartphones back in the day – these jam sessions would be stored away in video files for the ages – but they exist now only as fond memories.
Beyond music and song and dance, Gwen had many other passions which she devoted herself to, and mastered. Among them were gardening and nursing flowers of preference to perfection. Growing up on a farm led to a love for animals (horses and cats at the top of the list). She was a homemaker second to none as baking sprang from the oven, clothing rolled off the sewing machine and laundry flapped on lines to prairie breezes. Her artistic talents also came to life on paper and leather. Gwen always enjoyed a game of cards, listening to favorite country music radio, walking grandkids through prairie crocus blooms, babysitting her grandchildren, and offering a helping hand to one and all.
In 1956, at age 22, she married husband Donald Gramlich. After a short stay in Saskatchewan, they relocated back to Altario – where they settled permanently and raised their family. Aside from being a mom and caring for a home, Gwen also served as one of the early switchboard operators during the crank and call era, and after that she ran the Altario Post Office for many years. After retiring from the Post Office, Gwen and Don spent several years operating the Altario Hotel, where patrons came from near and far for a beverage, home cooked meals, and conversation.
Don and Gwen retired to the Consort Seniors Lodge in 2017. After a couple of years there, Gwen’s health began to deteriorate and she was moved to the Long Term Care facility in the Consort Hospital – where after a lengthy battle with Alzheimers disease, she passed in the early morning hours of January 21, 2021.
Gwen leaves to mourn her passing, her Husband, Don Gramlich (Consort); Son, Rod (Ann) Gramlich (Edmonton); Son, Doug (Bonnie) Gramlich (Kimberley, BC); Daughter, Anita Ference (Dave) (Camrose); Grandchildren, Melanie (Najib) Gramlich (Calgary); Janelle (Jorge) Campo and Great Granddaughter, Kalila Campo (Calgary); Matthew (Nicole) Ference (Consort); Chantel (Brey) Ference (Edmonton); Dakkota Gramlich (Altario); Brother, Ron (Joyce) Hagen (Camrose); Sister-in-law, Anne Hagen (Provost); Brother-in-law and Sisters-in-law from the Gramlich family; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.
Gwen was predeceased by her Daughter, Marcella Gramlich (2011); Parents, Ragnvald and Margaret Hagen; Sisters, Mary Dageford (Wetaskiwin) and Evelyn Smith (Consort); Brother, Ken Hagen (Cadogan/Provost); and Son-in-law, Ervin Ference (Hay Lakes, AB).
A funeral service was held for Gwen on Jan. 29, 2021. Due to the limitations of gatherings, the service was livestreamed for all family and friends to attend virtually. It was accessible through Facebook and YouTube.

John Douglas Gibson (Doug)
Nov. 11, 1926 – Jan. 28, 2021

Doug passed away peacefully at Foothills Medical Centre on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the age of 94 years. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Pat Gibson, October 2016. He is survived by one sister, Mary Gibson of Calgary, Alberta.
Doug was born and raised in Consort, Alberta. He grew up on a large cattle ranch, and was expected to help with chores as soon as he was school age. He was quite the wrangler and knew how to train/break a horse, work a cattle drive, branding, etc. He was sought out by many for his expertise in breaking/training a horse.
He put himself through SAIT, graduating as an Electrical Technician. Doug immediately began working for “Calgary Power” (Trans-Alta) on a survey crew and after two years, headed up his own team. He was responsible for the install of most of the power lines through rural Alberta. He went on to eventually attaining the position of Rural Supervisor of Farm Electric Services Ltd. (F.E.S.L.), which is the position he retired from after working for the company for 30+ years. Doug was very active in the Masonic Lodge Foothills (Past Master), and with the Al-Azhar Shrine Calgary (President – Patrol Arabs). He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit, his cooking escapades, camping adventures and his love of rodeo. He was the best Grandpa you could have, and lived by the motto “hard work pays off”.
Doug will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his three daughters, Cindy Gibson, Okotoks, Kathy Oddie (Tom), and Sharon Crowell (Kirby), both of Calgary, as well as his six grandchildren, Wyatt and Lauren, John and Matthew, and Jenna and Ryan.
A private family event will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Alberta Children’s Hospital in his memory (www.childrenshospital.ab.ca).
Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.edenbrookcemetery.ca.

Donnabelle Lucille Laye
Oct. 5, 1936 – Feb. 8, 2021

Donnabelle Lucille Laye was born October 5, 1936 to Donald and Irene Brown of Czar, Alberta. She grew up in Czar where she attended school, and helped her parents with running their store and caring for her four younger siblings. After graduation, Donnabelle went to live in Edmonton where she studied Home Economics.
She married Alex Laye on June 9, 1958, and moved to Sounding Lake where they ran a successful ranch and raised their family. Their daughter Janet was born in 1959, followed by sons Dean in 1960, and Mark in 1961.
Donnabelle was a wonderful singer, great curler, avid seamstress, animated sports fan, and an outstanding cook, famous for her delicious homemade soups. She was known for her quick wit, and for her gusto in standing up for things she believed in. She had strong opinions that she could always back up, being well read and versed in many subjects.
The arrival of grandchildren in Donnabelle’s life brought her great joy. She loved them dearly and taught them a great deal with her extensive knowledge on everything from prairie gardening, to birds, sewing, and baking bread. Her close relationship with her grandchildren continued into their adulthood, and she thoroughly enjoyed becoming a Great Grandma; she was greatly loved and admired by her great grandchildren. She was active throughout her later years, still gardening and working in her yard right up until her recent illness and hospitalization in the fall.
Donnabelle will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, Alex Laye of Sounding Lake; daughter, Janet Van Gils (Ed) of Slocan, B.C., and grandsons Lucas, Ben, and John Van Gils of Rossland, B.C.; son, Mark Laye (Cate) of Sounding Lake, grandchildren Meghan Sparks (Brett) of Innisfail (and great grandchildren Boone and Drey Sparks), Brendan Laye of Sounding Lake, Tessa Laye (Riley) of Markerville (and great granddaughter Blue Wik) as well as siblings Patrick Brown (Beth) of Brooks, Miriam Grocock (Bob) of Czar, Conn Brown (Margret) of Sherwood Park, and Louise Wall (David) of Calgary, along with numerous other relatives, neighbours, and friends.
She was predeceased by her son, Dean, and her parents, Donald and Irene Brown.
Donnabelle passed away peacefully in Provost, Alberta at the age of 84 years with family by her side. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Provost Hospital Auxiliary.
Thank You
We wish to thank all of our many family, neighbours and friends for the kindness, and compassion that has been shown to us all through the deliveries of food, flowers , cards, phone calls, messages and visits during Donnabelle’s hospitalization and passing.
We are indeed fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people, in such a supportive community during difficult times. It has meant so much to us all.
Thank you again.
Alex Laye
Mark, Cate Laye  
and families

Mary Milly Vert
Nov. 20, 1927 – Feb. 6, 2021

Mary Milly Vert went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 6, 2021 at Stettler Hospital with some of her family by her side.
Mary was the 13th child born to Alexander and Anna Evashkevich at the family farm near Kirriemuir, Alberta on November 20, 1927. She attended the Dry Lake School and finished her Grade 9 by correspondence. After Grade 9, she helped with household duties and milked cows, while her brothers tended to the field work in summer and cared for cattle in winter. She also helped to cook meals for thrashers at Lysgaards, Bert Caldwells, and Galloways.
She married the love of her life, Albert Vert, on June 14, 1948. They farmed south of Kirriemuir on the VERT Family homestead until 1963, when they moved to the “new farm” to be closer to the main roads and electricity. To this union there were six children born: Linda, Vivian, Stephen, Eric, Delaine and Robin.
Mary and Albert enjoyed trips to California, Louisiana, Eastern Canada, Expo 86 and numerous camping trips to B.C.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and making quilts. Many of her siblings as well as all her grandchildren were recipients of a handmade quilt. Mary also enjoyed playing table games, especially Dominoes and Aggravation. Her bread making skills and her dill pickle canning were well known to many people. In fact, when her Condo was cleaned out, we found that she had saved six jars of dills, one for each of her kids.
Mary and Albert attended the Kirriemuir Gospel Fellowship Church where Mary taught Sunday School classes and helped with other programs.
In 1997, they made the hard decision to leave the farm and move into Consort. During that time they took great pride in growing a huge vegetable garden and many beautiful flowers. In 2007 they moved to Spruce Terrace Condos in Stettler, where they made many friends. A few months after Albert’s passing, Mary moved to Heart Haven Lodge where she gained new friends and lived till her passing.
Mary is survived by her children and their families: daughter Linda (Harry) Shoemaker and their family, Carmen (Kerry) Pickles, Jared, Wyatt and Chyanne, Coreena (Shaun) Torgerson, Brooke and Mikayla, Harley (Diane), Brailee and Tyler; daughter Vivian (Nick) Lowther and their family, Dawna (Henry) Hughes, Rachelle, Kimberley and Marissa, Preston and Nathan; daughter-in-law Lorinda Vert and her and Stephen’s family, Stephanie Phillips, Austin and Kaylee, Danita (Mike) Dmetrichuk, Caiden, Mariska and Emersyn, Dallas (Natasha), Reece, Tegan and Ryker; son Eric (Lisa) and their family, Garth (Rica), Jessica and Devon, Amanda (Dwayne) Calder, Cameron and Natalie, Deanna (Eric) Sievers, Dillan and Brayden; daughter Delaine (Kevin) Stewart and their family, Amie (Adam) Staniowski, Chayse and Zander, Andrew (Janet), Hudson, Jodi, Kayli and Branson, Aaron (Crystal), Rilynn, Owen, Bentley and Liam, Adam (Amy), Isla and Troy, Anton; daughter Robin Vert-Duffin and her family, Kyle (Kennedy) and Mackenzie (Lindsay); brother Paul (Coreen) Evaskevich; sister Ann Meers; sisters-in-law Pauline and Laura; numerous nieces and nephews, other family and many dear friends.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Albert, son Stephen, siblings: Charlie (Nora), Bill (Alice), Joe, Caroline (Vic), Rose (George), Frank (Dorothy), Lil (Bert), Tofield (AM), Alex and Fred, brothers-in-law-Ted Ilchuck and Ken Meers.
A family funeral service for the late Mary Vert was held on February 13, 2021 at Stettler Funeral Home with Pastor Ross Helgeton officiating. Interment took place at Kirriemuir Cemetery beside her beloved Albert. Active pallbearers were grandsons: Harley, Nathan, Dallas, Garth, Andrew and Kyle.
If family or friends wish to make a donation in Mary’s memory, suggestions are Stettler Health Services Foundation-Palliative Care, The Gideons or a charity of choice c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, P.O. Box 1780, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0, who were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Justin Laviolette
Jan. 15, 1993 – Feb. 19, 2021

Justin Robert Laviolette of Consort, Alberta passed away at the Consort Hospital on Friday, February 19, 2021, at the age of 28 years.
Justin was born to Richard and Nadine Laviolette at Olds, Alberta, on January 15, 1993. Justin went to school and graduated at Consort. After High School, he went on to find himself. He was easy going and outgoing, and made everyone feel special. It was not hard for him to find work, from Wiper Sniper at Schacher Contracting, Special Areas and Bashaw Concrete. Justin was always willing to learn and take on new challenges.
Justin will always be remembered for his amazing artistic talents; like his music and art, his beautiful long hair and his kindness towards people, no matter who you were.
Justin will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Nadine and Richard, his sister, Brooklyn Laviolette of Consort, Alberta and his three cats, Toik, Cheddar and Gizmo. He will also be sadly missed by his grandmas: Gale Lee of Red Deer, Alberta, and Judy Bridge of Hope, British Columbia; his uncle, John (Michelle), uncle, Gary (Kathleen), Alex and Carl Laviolette; his auntie, Carmen (Kevin), Nikki and Miles; his auntie, Carole of Montreal, his auntie, Donna, his uncle, Carman Megar, Brady and Brenden, his auntie, Tammy, Hank and Elizabeth; as well as numerous cousins, aunts and uncles. Justin will also be truly missed by his special friends, Emily, Scott Smith, Zack and Belinda.
Justin was predeceased by his uncle, Mark Lee.
A Private Family Service will be held.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.coronationfuneralhome.ca.
Arrangements in care of Coronation Funeral Home.
Card of Thanks
The Laviolette Family would like to express our greatest appreciation and sincerity at this difficult time of the loss of our son, Justin. We are grateful for the overwhelming sympathy and support of our community towards our son. It is so amazing that we cannot begin to thank every community member who has stopped by, sent cards, flowers, messages, food, etc. So thank you to everyone who’s heart Justin touched and made a difference in your day. A very heartfelt thank you to Consort Home Care for helping to take care of Justin during his final days at home, also to Consort Hospital and their amazing staff, especially Hailey and Bailey, the entire clinic staff for all their amazing support during Justin’s last few weeks and Dr. Irene Shenouda for allowing our family to spend the last few days with Justin.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our family will be holding a celebration of life for Justin at a later date.
Thank you again to everyone in the community.
To send condolences to the family or view the funeral service, please visit www.stettlerfuneralhome.com

Minnie Doreen Blair
Nov. 27, 1924 – Feb. 21, 2021

Minnie Doreen Blair was born November 27, 1924 to Pete and Lena (Danallanko) Wyrozub at Loyalist, Alberta.  She was the eldest of four children (Minnie, Helen, Carolyn and William).  She passed away February 21, 2021 at Consort, Alberta.
Mom went to school in Loyalist and then in Consort. She took her teacher training at the Calgary Normal School. She taught at Sedalia and Naco from 1943 to 1947.
Mom married our dad, William Archie Blair on September 14, 1946. She was a very hard worker and a very good cook. She loved to garden and grow dahlias, gladioli and house plants. She had a wonderful flower garden and friends would come and get plants for their flower beds. Mom always told them, “Don’t thank me for those plants, or they won’t grow!” 
She sold Avon for decades and I enjoyed going on drives around the countryside to deliver orders to her customers. I guess that’s why I love driving down new and different backroads! 
Mom was a long-time member of the Alberta Women’s Institute and Women of Unifarm. She was also a very good pianist and played for church in Naco and Sedalia. She contributed the Sedalia news to the local papers for many years.  She also judged many Country Fairs.
Mom and Dad lived on the farm until 1985 when they moved to Oyen. There was a big garden spot there too! She was an avid crocheter and knitter and made sure everyone, especially children, had an afghan.  She’d whip out 3 or 4 dishcloths in an afternoon!
She moved to the Oyen Lodge in 2018 and enjoyed those couple of years not having to cook and clean.
Minnie is survived by her son Terry (Nancy) Blair, daughters Judy Johnson, Carol McLean, Cathy (Len) Fuss, Marion (Jim) Damiani, and Heather (Greg) Berreth, 15 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, sister in law Susan Wylie, as well as many nieces and nephews. 
Minnie was predeceased by her husband Archie, son Barry Blair, parents, brother and sisters and brother and sister in-laws.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oyen United Church, the Sedalia Hall Club and the Cop Hill Cemetery.

Lloyd Ralph Coates
Dec. 21, 1937-Feb. 21, 2021

“LR” Lloyd Ralph Coates was born in Consort, Alberta in December 1937 and was the second eldest son of Ethelen Gladys Coates (Sonmor) and “EW” William Earl Coates both born near the line at Alsask, Saskatchewan and Saskalta, Alberta, respectively – a true product of a large hardworking farm family with eight siblings: Mervin (pre-deceased) and survived by Ray, Audrey, Laverne, Claire, Lorraine, Guy and Denise.
Like his father, Lloyd went across the 4th meridian to Loverna, Saskatchewan for his bride of over 60 years, “Jo” Josephine Audrey Coates (Hedin) who survives. Lloyd and Jo are survived by four children: Brent Lloyd, Elaine Sharon, Warren Scott and Darren Paul Coates and four grandkids: Brandyn, Taylor, Jasper and Ellery Coates; and one great grand-daughter Aubree, Taylor’s daughter.
LR worked hard to achieve much. He left this world with a well-used body having survived a barn fire in Conrich, broken ribs from a protective mare, crushed knees from bulls in trimming/blocking chutes, etc. LR was an award-winning purebred cattleman and showman – Shawnee Charolais won numerous grand-champions and consigned many high selling entries. He had the eye and the touch; he judged and was ring-man for cattle shows at the professional and 4-H levels. LR’s “hands to larger service” were honoured for his part in forming several 4-H Clubs including, Bellis and Vilna and was a leader for the Chestermere club.
At Conrich, LR exposed his kids to the world of global progeny as he was pivotal in the quarantine station there, where the exotics came into Canada from France, Italy and Switzerland bringing size and rate-of-gain to the British breeds. The Charolais business was an exciting place to be in the 70’s and Lloyd and Jo were in the thick of it.
Farming took LR from the homestead area in Compeer, to Conrich in 1971 and in 1978 to south of Vilna near the North Saskatchewan River. Claire and Guy followed, where the band of brothers collaborated putting up silage (not common there), shared farm implements and mixed in a few Pilsners and some rye. After years of drought in 1995 he scaled it down with a smaller operation in Botha – east of Stettler.
An eventful and memorable life by a true cow man, who did well for the bovine species, had his special connections with horses such as Spook, Scout and Dixie and an unequalled work ethic and tenacity. His true love with Jo for over 60 of his 83 years will last beyond – exemplified by few, followed by fewer.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the 4-H Foundation of Alberta in Lloyd’s honour at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/4-h-foundation-of-alberta/ . Or buy a fat steer with friends from a 4-H’r.
Lloyd Ralph Coates rides along on February 21, 2021.

Josephine Audrey Coates
Aug. 10, 1939-Feb. 22, 2021

“Dodie”, “Jo”, Josephine Audrey Coates (Hedin) was born in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan in August 1939 and left us on February 22, 2021. She was the youngest daughter of four girls to Mabel May Hedin (McKay) and “Slim” Paul Benjamin Hedin, American immigrants from Caster, Michigan and Sauk Centre, Minnesota, respectively, seeking opportunity in a newly minted Province – so Slim filed for a homestead and was granted a ¼ section near Loverna, Sask. Dodie was a true daughter of pioneers.
Mother’s favorite, George Jones, sang “He Stopped Loving Her Today” was the farthest from the play book as Jo was predeceased by only 39 hours by Lloyd Ralph Coates “LR”, her constant companion of +60 years. He never left her side…love following love… but Jo, like her father, played her own plan, perhaps waiting to make sure LR was not left alone or perhaps just to outlive him – only she will know.
Dodie did not have the choice for an easy path losing her mother at age 12; a dynamic that formed both her independence and her life-long bond with her sisters Pauline May Anderson, Beatrice Faith Denny (Miller) [predeceased] and Hattie Carolina Holmes who survives. At 12 she started following Hattie around attending high schools in Edmonton and Oyen until she landed at SAIT obtaining a Nursing Aide Certificate in 1958 and practiced her trade in Medicine Hat and in Kerrobert.
Jo and Lloyd are also survived by four children: Brent Lloyd, Elaine Sharon, Warren Scott and Darren Paul Coates and four grandkids: Brandyn, Taylor, Jasper and Ellery Coates; and one great grand-daughter Aubree, Taylor’s girl. Dodie maintained a strong connection to her Hedin/McKay a side of the family which was well outnumbered by those Coates ranchers west of the line. She had the inside track when LR came courting in 1958, having been raised in Loverna with the Sonmors and Millers kicking around..- these names meant much to Dodie. She installed a strong appreciation for her heritage into her kids talking for hours about Slim and his way with animals and establishing the Hedin importance of education into her own kids with “they will never take that away from you”. Dodie had a natural curiosity and read a lot – books often cluttered her space – and that was reflected in her strong written skills. And her letters reflected proper cursive handwriting.
A true partner on the farm and a good but reluctant bookkeeper, a gardener of abundance, she created superb canned meats and excellent hardy food sometimes across ethnicities but could not get LR onto pasta or rice (prevailing by including some into yummy German cabbage rolls or into the stuffing for the Cold Lake trout). Mother thought her cooking was overshadowed by others, including her mother-in-law, because she didn’t have a mom from the age of 12, but we kids knew better – the food on the table was superb and the fridge crammed full. Her Swedish roots allowed her kids some Edwards coffee, at an early age, with half-and-half or farm cream.
Dodie loved cats: Tom, who made the Smoky Lake paper for his longevity was prominent as was Waylon, Woody and Harry. Mother also shared a great love of dogs with Darren taking care of his Scotch Collies, such as Scampy, Bumpkin and Jemtrack when he was at school. Sintra and Loopy then entered Jo’s life lovingly.
As it was with Lloyd, Josephine had her true love for 60 of her 81 years. Family arrangements have been made and further celebrations of life will follow, this summer in the prairie, where Josephine will be interned with Lloyd – together every step of the way.
In lieu of flowers, you can choose to donate, in Jo’s honour to your local animal shelter or humane society.
Josephine Audrey Coates Love follows love February 22, 2021.

 A celebration of their eventful lives will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 7th in Loverna, Saskatchewan. The family invites you to join them at the Loverna Hall for a celebration of Lloyd and Josephine’s lives together with stories and sharing memories. 
 Kindly RSVP to Elaine Coates, 587-581-5533 or e-mail lrjacoates@gmail.com  

Lunch will be served and the family would appreciate confirmation of attendance due to the social circumstances.

Ronald James Hagen
June 25, 1938 – Feb. 23, 2021

Ronald James Hagen was born in Consort, June 25, 1938. He passed away in Camrose, February 23, 2021 at the age of 82.
Ron is survived by his loving wife Joyce Cressman-Hagen; two sons Richard Hagen (Michelle) and Darin Hagen; step daughter Shauna Cressman (Dwayne); step son Darin Cressman (Marcelin), step daughter Gail Cressman; his loving grandchildren Daniela Hagen, Maria Hagen, James Hagen, Charles Hagen, Richelle Hagen, Andy Cressman, Jon Cressman, Zach Cressman, Jack Munroe; plus great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, many more relatives and many friends.
Due to the Coronavirus there will be no funeral. If conditions improve we will have a celebration of life for Ron in the summer.

Irene Redel
Sept. 23, 1925 ~ Feb. 23, 2021

Margaret Irene Melvin Cameron was born on September 23, 1925 in Compeer, Alberta. She lived on the family farm, southwest of Compeer, with her parents Donald and Georgina (Melvin) Cameron. She had one brother Donald and one sister Nan.
She grew up like most prairie kids: working on the farm, milking cows and riding horses. Irene started her schooling at the Westland school and finished at the Crocusdale School. There were 15 students in the entire school. Irene played softball and different sports in school. Her favorite subject was spelling, guess that explains why mom enjoyed helping all her children with their spelling homework!
Irene met Clare at a dance in Altario. They were married November 8, 1952 in the Stettler United Church and raised five children: Marie, Alan, Gordon, Barry and Myrna. In their 62 years of marriage, they travelled to many places over the years, some of their favorites were Niagara Falls, Expo 86 in Vancouver and Hawaii.
Irene worked at the Consort Hospital for 9 years as a Practical Nurse with Dr. Day and Dr. Knight, and then stayed home to raise their five children for 16 years. She went back to work at the hospital, and then worked the night shift at the Seniors Lodge until she retired in 1990. Irene was well liked at the hospital and lodge. She was known for her kind and caring nature and for always putting patients first.
Irene and Clare were Charter members of the Consort Whirl-a-ways Square Dance Club and the Consort Dance Club. They used to dance every weekend in Consort, Czar, Provost, Wainwright and Hughenden. They would drive through a blizzard in the middle of the night, it did not matter how cold or how snowy, the dances would always be attended.
Irene loved animals, especially her horses, cats and dogs. One of her favorites was Billy the Crow, a bird she befriended when she was young. She enjoyed musical shows, playing music and she taught us how to dance around the kitchen table many times. She loved the song Goodnight Irene and always sang it. She was a talented musician playing Guitar and Banjo in the Gus Krushel Band at local dances and was a member of the Compeer Orchestra. She had a competitive spirit and liked playing Hearts, Crokinole and 31. She enjoyed watching her kids and grandkids at their sporting events, school activities and many different performances. Irene was an excellent bowler and proudly displayed her championship trophy. Irene enjoyed watching the Young and the Restless and Wheel of Fortune. It was always important for her to have her hair done, wear her jewellery and have her lipstick on. She could often be seen wearing red and frequently reminded everyone that it was her favourite colour.
Irene moved into the Consort Lodge in 2015, and then to the Consort Long Term Care Facility in July 2020 where she was treated with kindness, love and compassion. Irene passed away peacefully at the Consort Long Term Care Facility February 23rd at the age of 95.
She is predeceased by her mom Georgina; dad Donald; husband Clare; brother Donald; sister Nan; sisters-in-law: Erdine (Mervin) Bell, Helen Hauer, Shirley (Gus) Hemke and Donna (Ed) Black; brothers-in-law Keith Redel and Russel Fischer.
Irene is survived by children: Marie (Carter) Stickel, Alan (Virginia) Redel, Gordon (Sharon) Redel, Barry (Selena) Redel, Myrna (Dave Bissett) Redel; nine grandchildren: Heather and Steven Stickel, Randy and Tanner (Shannon) Redel, Clayton, Miranda and Alexis Redel, Lisa and Scott Redel and great grandson Carter Stickel.
A final thought from Irene, “Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all!”
Honoring Irene’s wishes there will be no service.
Memorial contributions may be made in Irene’s memory to the Consort Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, Box 276, Consort, Alberta, T0C 1B0. Condolences may be sent to the Redel families by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
Thank You
The families of Irene Redel would like to thank our communities for all their caring words of sympathy, food and flowers. We are grateful for the phone calls, texts, visits and memories of Irene.
Thank you to the Home Care and Consort Lodge staff who allowed Irene to spend as long as she could in her home and then at the lodge. The way that all of the Home Care staff adapted Irene’s care to help her cope was amazing.
A very sincere thank you to the Consort Long Term Care Nursing staff and everyone who treated her with Kindness, Love and Compassion. We cannot stress how amazing it is to have all of these wonderful people and this facility in our community.
Thank you to Dr. Stephen Akindipe and Dr. Irene Shenouda for providing Irene excellent care the entire time they have been here.
Thank you to Dean Ross and all the staff at the Parkview Funeral Home for their care, compassion, and professionalism.
Irene loved the community she lived in and always wanted to know how families were growing and who was living where. Imagine the changes she saw.

Thank you to Heather Stickel for preparing the Obituary for grandma.

Karen Kropinske
July 22, 1948 – Mar. 10, 2021

In loving memory of Karen Marie Kropinske, she has left us to be with her husband, Ernest Kropinske.
Karen Maria Kropinske, of Edmonton, Alberta, passed away on March 10, 2021, at age 72.
Karen is survived by her loving children, Marcy Plunkett (Rick Laderoute) and Blair Kropinske; her granddaughters, Mckenzie and Makayla Laderoute; her best friend, Pamela Kennedy; her brother, Fred (Wendy) Schooler; her sister, Shirley Mohl; her sisters-in-law, Bev Schooler, Judy Schooler, Bertha (Gene) Casavant, Judy (Barney) Bremner, as well as relatives and friends.
Karen was predeceased by parents, Loyal and Viola Schooler; brothers, Don Schooler and Bob Schooler; brother-in-law, Dan Mohl and parents-in-law, Roy and Tresses Kropinske.
Please no flowers.
No service at this time, a celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

Herman Schwenk
Mar. 7, 1931 – Mar. 13, 2021

Herman Dietrich Schwenk was born in Innisfail, Alberta on March 7, 1931. He was the first child of Eugene and Doris Schwenk followed by three sisters Evelyn, Sonja and Alberta. Herman grew up just outside of Sundre, Alberta before the family moved to the Talbot area in 1947.
Herman graduated from the Olds School of Agriculture in 1951 with a diploma in Practical Agriculture. At the age of 21, Herman moved back to Talbot where he began farming on a half section of rented land.
Herman met the love of his life, Marcella Seredynski, in 1957 and married at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary on August 9, 1958. Together they raised 7 children, Anne (Andrew), Helen (Stephen), Stephen (Lori), Peter (Connie), Philip (Deena), Edward and Michael (Gail).
His farm is now being operated by the third generation. Herman began growing grain and had a small cattle herd. The farm now includes feedlot production. Herman enjoyed operating equipment and was still running a swather and combine in his 80’s.
Herman began writing an opinion column in the local East Central Alberta Review newspaper in 2003. He was involved with more than 20 various boards, task forces and advisory committees for over 70 years where he often served as president, vice president or director. He was president of Alberta Federation of Rural Electrification Associations, Coronation Federated Co-op and the Paintearth Gas Co-op. He was also a delegate to the Alberta Wheat Pool, Alberta Cattle Commission, the Alberta Energy and Utility Board, the Clean Air Strategic Alliance and served on the Catholic Church parish councils to name just a few.
On March 13, 2021, after 90 years, Herman Dietrich Schwenk completed his earthly journey. Herman was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Doris. He is survived by his wife (Marcella) of 62 years, 3 sisters, 7 children, 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He touched so many during his life and will be greatly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Parish with Father Roger Niedzelski as Celebrant. The interment then followed in the Coronation Cemetery where Herman was laid to rest next to his parents Eugene and Doris.
Should friends so desire, memorial contributions in Herman’s memory may be made to the Paintearth Lodge, Box 209, Castor, Alberta T0C 0X0 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Those wishing to pay respects with written condolences or view the funeral mass online, you may do so by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels of Coronation, Alberta were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Bennie Kary
Sept. 6, 1930-March 25, 2021

Bennie was the fifth child born to Jacob and Pauline (Schrader) Kary on September 6, 1930 at Hemaruka, Alberta. Bennie married Shirley Caseley on July 4th, 1956 and together they raised their two children, Weldon and Susan on their farm in front of the Nose Hills, seven miles north of Veteran, Alberta. While on the farm, the family lived a healthy, wholesome lifestyle and enjoyed the fruits of their hard work.
In 1984 they sold the farm to Susan and Howard Bye and moved into the village of Veteran into their new house that Ben built. Ben kept some land north of town where he raised horses for a number of years. Ben had a fantastic workshop filled to the rafters with tools he acquired over the years. He restored wagons, sleighs and harness. He rebuilt antique tractors and made bird houses for the kindergarten class.
He was involved in the community and helped to build many things around the village over the years. Ben loved his five grandchildren and four great grandchildren, and they loved him!
Bennie passed away very peacefully in Coronation Hospital on March 25th, 2021 at the age of 90 years. He remained in his home up to just a few days prior to his passing.
Bennie leaves behind his wife of 65 years Shirley and his son Weldon as well as four grandchildren Daniel (Jessica) Kary, Steven Kary, Julia (Paul) Denyer, Kyle (Robin) Bye; four great grandchildren Eve Bye, Emma Denyer, Fletcher Bye and the newest – his namesake Jacob Bennie Denyer. He leaves behind one brother Richard Kary and two sisters Edna Caseley and Harriet Peters.
Bennie was predeceased by his father Jake in 1974; mother Pauline in 1936 as well as two brothers William and Herbert and two sisters Helen and Linda; his beautiful granddaughter Patricia Bye in 2002 and loving daughter Susan Kary Bye in 2008 and in 2017 his daughter in law Diana Kary.
At Bennie’s request there will be no funeral service.
Contributions in memory of Bennie may be made to the Veteran Cemetery Society or STARS.
For those wishing to express their condolences to Bennie’s family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels .com
Parkview Funeral Chapels entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Amelia Thomas
Jan. 20, 1938 – Mar. 13, 2021

Amelia Elizabeth Thomas passed away after a lengthy battle with Kidney disease on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the age of 83 years.
Beloved wife for 66 years of Andrew Thomas of Medicine Hat, she also leaves to cherish her memory three children, Shane, Perry (Marcy), and Shirley (Alf) Brock; seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, Meghan (Tom; Broody, Morgan); Mallory (Allyson); Patrick (Margaret; Daphne, Felicia, Hailey, Payton, Abigail, Elizabeth); Reneé (Kyler; Kanein, Madison); Johnathan (Melissa); Billy; Wesley.
She was predeceased by her parents Martin and Elizabeth Vollman, one son Wayne, daughter-in-law Noreen, grandson Andrew and eight brothers and sisters.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private graveside service was held at Hillside Cemetery with Life Celebrant Pat Grisonich. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: office@pattisonfuneralhome.com subject heading: Amelia Thomas, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Arrangements are by the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium, Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Andrew James Thomas
Nov. 25, 1928 – Apr. 17, 2021

Andrew Thomas of Medicine Hat passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at the age of 92 years.
Beloved husband of the late Amelia Thomas, he leaves to cherish his memory three children, Shane, Perry (Marcy), and Shirley (Alf) Rock; seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, Meghan (Tom; Broody, Morgan); Mallory (Allyson); Patrick (Margaret; Daphne, Felicia, Hailey, Payton, Abigail, Elizabeth); Reneé (Kyler; Kanein, Madison); Johnathan (Melissa); Billy; Wesley; three sisters, Kay, Vicki and Ann.
He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Dorothy Thomas; his wife Amelia on March 13, 2021, son Wayne, daughter-in-law Noreen, grandson Andrew, and six siblings.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held at the Hillside Cemetery with Life Celebrant, Pat Grisonich. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: office@pattisonfuneralhome.com subject heading: Andrew Thomas, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Arrangements are by the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium, Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Edith Mae Smiley
March 31, 1916 – April 20, 2021

GONE HOME
Having lived well and loved much, Edith passed away peacefully in the Athabasca Hospital
at the age of 105 years and 20 days. She was born and raised, in the pioneering spirit, on the
family homestead near Loyalist AB, the fifth child of Walter and Ocalla Bishell.
Edith was predeceased by her husband Jim in 1974, daughter Laura Mae in 1992, grandson
Joey Huff in 2018, her parents, brothers Verne and Alvin, sisters Velma and Frances, and
several close in-laws and relatives. She is survived by daughter Ann Huff of Colinton
AB and family – grandson Jim of Colinton, granddaughter Leah and great granddaughter
Halle of Lloydminster AB, grandson David (Wendy), great grandchildren Josh and Lily
of Colinton AB; also by family of Laura Mae – granddaughter Carol (Dan) of California,
great grandson Curtis (Kaitlyn), great great grandchildren Taytum, Jaycee and Jasper of
Grandprairie AB, great grandsons Corey and Brad (Megan) both of B.C., granddaughter
Heather (Ed), great grandson James and great granddaughter Laura (Cody) of Manitoba,
granddaughter Carmen (Paul) and great granddaughter Sara of BC; also by her sisters Joyce
Knudson of Consort AB and Ruth Oswald of Calgary AB, and many nieces and nephews.
In her early years she had a brief teaching career near Monitor, AB followed by marriage to
Jim Smiley in l941 and a move in the mid-forties to Colinton AB. which they called home
and where they raised their two daughters. Edith had a passion for gardening and everyone
will recall her beautiful sunflowers. Her Halloween popcorn balls would become a tradition
for all Colinton trick or treaters to enjoy. Church and social events would not have been
complete without her cookies and pies. She was a PILLAR of the community and very
involved with the United Church and later the Anglican Church in Colinton. Edith worked
as a substitute teacher, babysitter, homecare worker, and she volunteered at the Extendicare
in Athabasca for over 40 years. Keeping active, and NEVER COMPLAINING, helped ease
life’s journey. She set a fine example of facing obstacles and detours with patience and grace.
Edith moved into the Pleasant Valley Lodge in Athabasca where she continued to be active
in all activities and events such as taking up painting at age 100, winning a Gold Medal in
the Senior Olympics and walking in the Aspen Primary Care Network’s Muskeg Creek Run
andWalk for five years. She moved to Extendicare in the spring of 2020. An unfortunate fall
in March 2021 required hip surgery after which she was unable to regain her strength. She
had “fought the good fight” and God only knows that it was time to move on to the Great
Beyond. This world was left a better place for us to carry on.We will cherish the memories of
a courageous, strong, witty and loving woman. Farewell Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma,
Great Great Grandma, Sister, Aunt and friend. We all love you.
The family would like to thank the staff at Pleasant Valley Lodge for their many years of care
and also those at Extendicare and the Athabasca Hospital for their kind and special care
during these very challenging times.
Edith will be laid to rest at the Veteran Cemetery, Veteran AB, next to her husband Jim. Her
life will be honoured and celebrated at a later date when family and friends can safely gather.
Heaven has a NEW ANGEL and her name is EDITH SMILEY

Aloys Vogel
Nov. 23, 1938 – Apr. 24, 2021

Aloys was born on November 23, 1938 in Macklin, Sask. He was the second of nine children of Albert and Christina Vogel. He attended Blarney School and took over the family farm, north of Compeer, Alberta in 1975. He was very mechanical and loved to build and fix things. Aloys enjoyed farming and tending to his cattle. He often replied, “my cows make me happy”. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to garden. In his pastime he played his keyboard. His gift of music was enjoyed by many when he played at the Lodge and Nursing Home. He enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and helping when he could.
He was a very quiet, gentle, and honest man. He enjoyed the simple things in life, content with small pleasures. He found goodness in everyone. It was a blessing that he was able to enjoy the farm, well into his old age, being able to live the way he wanted, right to the very end.
Our beloved brother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Provost Health Centre at the age of 82.
Aloys is survived by his siblings, †Raymond (Doreen) Vogel of Sherwood Park, and their children, Wayne (Rhonda), Mervin, Marilyn (Brian) and Gordon (Nicole); Mary Vogel of Edmonton; Leona (Victor) Wold of Leduc and their children, Rhonda (Corey), Cheryl (Stuart) and Dean (Kate); Doris (Dale) Evans of Calgary and their children, Karla (Kendall) and †Darren Evans; Gladys (Brian) Healy of New Sarpeta and their son, Sean (Marian); Theresa (Blaine) Kjorlien of Wetaskiwin and their children, Ryan, Nolan (Alicia), Evan (Amanda); Loretta (Ben) Scheck of Provost and their children, Benjamin (Phyllis), Matthew (Joelle) and Michael (Erica); †Stanley; as well as extended nieces, nephews, friends and close neighbours.
Aloys was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Christina Vogel; brothers, Raymond and Stanley; and nephew, Darren Evans.
A Public Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Gregory’s Funeral Home Chapel for family, friends and neighbors.
Due to current public health guidelines, the Mass of Christian Burial was by invitation only and was held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church with Father Christopher officiating. Interment followed at the Provost Cemetery.
Card of Thanks
The Families of Aloys Vogel extend many thanks to Dr. Erasmus, Dr. Deagle, Dr. Malan and Dr. Wang, the nurses and staff for the current and past hospital care. A special thank you to Consort Home Care who provided weekly visits to Aloys for many years. Their dedicated concern was much appreciated.
Thanks to Gregory’s Funeral Home for funeral arrangements.
Thank you to Fr. Christopher for your support in this difficult time and for the funeral service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the assistance of Noel Wirachowsky, Linda Erickson and Helen Rehman.
Appreciation to everyone who offered words of comfort and sympathy, for phone calls, texts, cards, food, flowers and donations.
Thanks for all the care and assistance from dear neighbours and friends which allowed Aloys to remain on the farm until the very end of his life.
“The farm was his
life and his love.”
Mary, Leona, Doris,
Gladys, Theresa & Loretta

Irene Alice (nee Richardson) HELLOFS
September 22, 1928 – Consort, Alberta – May 19, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Irene passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the age of 92 years.
Irene was born in Consort, Alberta, on September 22, 1928. Her early life was spent enjoying growing up in rural Alberta. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, and early in her nursing career met her husband, Bill, in Stettler, Alberta. She always had a passion for many hobbies, particularly she enjoyed oil painting and over the years enrolled in many art courses at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).
Irene was predeceased by her husband Bill, and she is survived by her children, Jim, Barb, Bev, Scott, Sheila, and their spouses; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Due to the current restrictions no service will be held at this time. A Private graveside service will be held at Eden Brook Cemetery.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on Irene’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB. T3B 6A8. Telephone: (403) 955.8818. www.childrenshospital.ab.ca.
Many thanks to the staff at Chinook Care Centre.
In living memory of Irene Hellofs, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary, Alberta

Jennie Antonette Bruha
Dec. 29, 1932 – May 24, 2021

Jennie Bruha passed away on Monday, May 24th, 2021 at Capital Care Norwood hospice in Edmonton at the age of 88. Jennie left us to be with her Creator following a second bout with cancer and was ready to leave this world to meet the loving embrace of God our Father.
Jennie Antonette was born to Martin and Mary (Wiechnik) Kurek on December 29th, 1932, on their farm south of Monitor. Along with older sister Amelia and younger siblings Irene, Marie and Felix, the children grew up with first-hand experience of hard work and being poor, which was a common condition on the prairies in the 1930’s. Walking two and a half miles to attend Shannon Heights School was part of their routine at this time.
In 1943, her father purchased the Frank Morris farm southwest of Consort (present home of Jason and Jodi Kurek) and the family settled in for what they hoped would be an easier life. Jennie and her younger siblings could now travel to school in Consort by horse-drawn van.
In the spring of 1944, at the age of 47, Martin died of a heart attack, leaving Mary to raise the children, run the small farm and carry on, which they managed to do until 1948. Widowed for six years, Mary wed Andrew Kunderavich and moved into Consort; the farm was sold to Amelia and her husband Clay Schooler; and Jennie moved to Red Deer to finish high school and later on to Edmonton for her nurses training. While at Red Deer she was voted Queen of Red Deer Composite High School and in 1951 was a candidate for Miss Calgary Stampede.
Her nurses training took her to Grande Prairie where she met Frank Bruha who was there on articleship with a chartered accounting firm. Jennie and Frank were married July 9, 1960 and made their home in Edmonton where together they raised four boys: Joseph, David, James, Daniel.
The sudden passing of Frank in 1994 was a hard blow, but Jennie carried on, eventually reconnecting with a friend from her Consort days. After a long courtship, which almost wore out the pavement between Edmonton and Consort, Jennie and Pat Wiese married and made their home in St. Albert for many years until moving into St. Andrew’s Centre in Edmonton.
With her health failing in the fall of 2020, Pat provided loving care and devoted companionship until Jennie required more help than could be given at home. Her final days at Norwood hospice were spent with family and friends gathered around her, sharing stories and offering comfort.
Jennie is survived by husband Patrick Wiese; sons Joseph Bruha, David (Carol) Bruha, James (Joanne) Bruha, Daniel Bruha (Deanna Ringrose and her son Ben Tompkins), grandchildren Matthew, Shannon; Lindsay, Jordan, Benjamin, Joshua; Robert, Sarah; sisters Irene (Preston) Kelts and Marie Scheffelmaier; sister-in-law Linda Kurek, as well as six great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom were dear to her heart.
Jennie is predeceased by her first husband Frank Bruha; her parents Mary and Martin Kurek; step father Andrew Kunderavich; sister Amelia Schooler and brother-in-law Clay Schooler; brother Felix Kurek; brother-in-law Tony Bruha and sister-in-law Margaret Bruha; sister-in-law Mary Donovan; brother-in-law Richard Scheffelmaier.
Faith, Family, Friends and Food made up the fabric of Jennie’s life – a life well lived by a woman who will be missed by many.
Due to COVID-19, a private Funeral Mass was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A recording of the service and the memorial slide show is available online at www.connelly-mckinley.com/obituaries/jennie-antonnette-bruha

Words of Remembrance
By Dave Bruha
Before sharing a few thoughts and memories about the woman we are gathered here to celebrate, I want to thank each and every one of you for making the effort to be with us. Under other circumstances, we would be packed in here, shoulder to shoulder with many more of Mom’s family members and friends. You are among those who Mom felt closest to and she would have been the first to greet you, and likely ask, “Are you hungry? Maybe just have a little lunch? A bowl of soupa? A sandwich? You have to eat….”
Jennie Antonette grew up on the dusty, dry prairie during the depression years of the 1930’s. Like many of her generation, those hard times shaped much of her character and made her the person we came to know and love over the 88 years of her full and happy life.
An almost obsessive compulsion with gardening is one of those things that carried over from growing up on the small family farm where a large vegetable garden meant the difference between feeding the family or going hungry. Even in later years, when financial insecurity was not an issue, Mom was devoted to her garden. Several gardens actually.
Her backyard vegetable patch at the family home in the west end of Edmonton was a source of pride for Mom. As children born into indentured slavery to Mom’s garden, we didn’t share her passion. To me at least, weeding the garden and hilling potatoes was a complete waste of a summer afternoon when the neighborhood grocery store had sacks and sacks of potatoes for sale.
Mom was a potato connoisseur though and store bought spuds were considered second rate to a homegrown gem. As much as she loved potatoes, she was a bit picky about how they were prepared. Mom would only eat them boiled, mashed, baked, fried, roasted or as potato soup, potato pancakes, potato salad, Potatoes Au Gratin, scalloped potatoes, crispy hash browns, or as filling in a perogy. She was also addicted to McDonald’s french fries. When Mom’s doctor ordered her to follow a low cholesterol diet, she knew that it didn’t apply to french fries, the gobs of butter, heaps of sour cream or the cheddar cheese that went with many of her favorite potato dishes. Mom’s nursing background allowed her to form her own medical and health opinions on such things.
Her training as a nurse was also invaluable when it came to raising her four sons, who while growing up were far more energetic than bright. As kids, we offered a constant opportunity for her to practice her skills, especially when it came to stopping blood flow and making triage decisions quickly. When Joe was young, she would treat every bump or scrape as an emergency that required a doctor’s care. By the time Dan was a toddler she had developed a basic system of wound categories: a) it will grow back; b) stop the bleeding and carry on; c) requires stitches or a cast; d) wait until your father gets home!
Her nursing career outside of the home was immensely fulfilling for Mom. She took great pride in the profession and often referred to the discipline and devotion of the nuns and nurses she worked alongside of at Edmonton General Hospital, before her children came along. When her niece, Maureen Kelts, entered the nursing profession, she was excited and proud, and not shy about telling everyone and anyone that Maureen was going into nursing!
After keeping her own four boys alive long enough to be considered somewhat adult, Mom nursed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NiCu) at the U. of A. Hospital. She found the NiCu to be extremely rewarding, but hard. She was dedicated to helping the tiny and gravely ill infants survive, and leaned heavily on her Catholic faith to deal with the tough times when ‘her babies’ did not make it. The experience contributed to her lack of patience with people who were perpetually unhappy and ungrateful in their lives.
Between work and family and being a homemaker, Mom’s life was full, but she did develop an interest in hockey. At first she followed all her boys as they played the sport – being chauffeur, fan, and nurse to the many wounds associated with the game. Next, she followed her grandchildren as they took to the ice. Later on, “her Oilers” – not the Edmonton Oilers, “HER Oilers” – were a source of pride as they brought the Stanley Cup to Edmonton FIVE times. She never really got the intricacies of the game, but had lots of opinions on the players and coaches anyway.
Life itself was a full-time and rewarding job for Mom and she never got familiar with the concept of vacation, especially the idea of camping. She hated it. Mom and Dad worked hard and sacrificed a lot to create a comfortable home – why would she want to leave what she considered a palace to spend time in a tiny box-like trailer? What was most disturbing to her about the idea of going camping was that there was no room in the 12 foot long trailer for her Electrolux vacuum cleaner and all the attachments.
Bugs, dirt, confined space, four wild, young boys with no nearby hospital, time away from her garden where the weeds were taking over… Camping was a nightmare for her, but she put up with it so the rest of the family could have their fun.
Her dislike of camping, and all that went with it, is likely why she went along with my Dad when he floated the idea of a lake cabin. Although she was worried about the cost, the idea of having a vacation place with a vacuum cleaner and an electric stove won her over. It also gave her more space for gardens and time at the lake for Mom became an enjoyable experience with flowers and vegetable gardens to tend and an endless supply of sand to vacuum up.
She was in heaven when a neighbor at the lake offered her space in his two acre plot. Mom went all out, planting enough potatoes to feed half of Ireland. She also got a little carried away with zucchnni one summer and we were blessed with a bumper crop. Mom tracked down everyone she could think of trying to unload boxes of zucchini – to the point where people started to avoid her. Despite her best efforts at distributing the harvest, and hundreds of pounds finding their way into cakes, cookies, stir frys, and other recipes, truckloads of zucchini were left over. I think the last of them were used for target practice.
Although she loved spending time at the cabin, she never liked the lake part of it very much. She was terrified of the water and as far as I can remember only went out in the boat a handful of times. Her first ride happened when we had just gotten a new boat. After much coaxing we convinced her to come out for a short ride around the smooth as glass bay. She did not enjoy it, and I can’t recall her ever again wanting to go out into the water any further than her legs could take her. I don’t know where that old boat is today, but wherever it is, I’m sure it will have her fingerprints permanently pressed into the fibreglass where she was hanging on in terror.
During one of my last visits with her at Norwood I was able to report that spring flowers were coming along nicely at the cabin and that the rhubarb she planted in a large wooden tub was flourishing. She smiled and we talked about rhubarb pies. She also informed me that it was time to get potatoes planted.
Despite not having any real motivation to vacation, Mom did do some travelling that she really enjoyed. Taking in Expo 1986 at Vancouver and visiting with relatives there was one highlight. She also loved Hawaii, even though she wasn’t a fan of the food they encountered. I can only imagine the garden she could grow if Alberta had more Hawaiian like weather. She probably envisioned potatoes the size of watermelons! Mom and Dad also took several winter vacations south of the border into the desert. Mom liked the break from winter’s ice and snow, but didn’t take well to the simple art of relaxing, of not being busy.
A highlight of her travels, and her life, was a European tour with Jamie and Dan and their families in 2015. Seeing Poland – the country of her parents – was amazing. From the rich history of Krakow to the breathtaking wonder of Wieliczka Salt Mine, to the horrific history of the Auschwitz extermination camp, to the majestic cathedrals and churches, it was another world for Mom.
She also loved their time in the Czech Republic where they stayed in the amazing city of Prague and made a trip to Velhartice, the village where my Dad’s parents came from. Dan did his best to make sure everyone was exposed to as much of the local food as possible, but one day they did catch Mom secretly chowing down on a McDonald’s burger and some fries.
For a Catholic, any trip to Rome and Vatican City would be a highlight. Mom was lucky enough to attend a mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica with Pope Francis officiating and the Synod of Bishops in attendance. It was a WOW experience for her, but afterwards she let it be known that Pope John Paul – the Polish pope – was a better pope than Francis…
Although she loved their touring in Europe, Mom’s favorite trips were the 200 mile jaunts down the highway to visit family in her hometown of Consort. Homecomings, weddings, funerals, and more recently the Kurek’s Polish Picnic get-togethers, or just coming to visit, gave her great joy. All of these occasions were filled with her favorite things: family, friendship and food. And then more food. She arrived with boxes of food prepared at home, and left with empty containers to take back for the next time. Tupperware food containers will be her longest lasting legacy, with literally hundreds of them scattered all over Alberta, sent home with various people who had stopped in to visit with her and left with a ‘Jen Package’.
Feeding people was her mission, but her hair was her obsession. Mom had no vices; she didn’t drink or smoke and attended mass faithfully. A touch of vanity may be her most grave sin. Mom would not go anywhere unless her hair was properly coiffed, and there was only one person who could do it right. As a young immigrant to Canada from Poland, Donna Komaniecki and mom became fast friends many years ago. She always refered to her as “my Donna”, and Mom’s “DonnaDo” became her trademark. Whether arriving at the lake cabin for the afternoon, attending mass, or going out for groceries, Mom arrived in style with her DonnaDo perfectly in place. Wind and rain were her constant irritants. Mom became Donna’s Canadian Matka, and Donna was loved like a daughter.
Years after Dad passed away, Mom and Pat were married and she had to deal with leaving the house she had called home for thirty-five years. This meant sorting through a lifetime of accumulated treasures before they moved into a townhouse in St. Albert. At first it was tough for her to part with so many memories, but at some point she realized that she could squirrel away boxes of stuff at the lake cabin and she didn’t really have to part with them.
Mom and Pat had many happy, carefree years at their St. Albert home, even though things didn’t start off smoothly. Being without a garden plot for the first time in her life, Mom set to filling flower pots and planters with a botanical bounty. She had pots bursting with vegetables and flowers everywhere, to the point where the condo board cited her with a violation for excessive gardening. She laughed about it, but was hurt and dismayed that her efforts to add some beauty were being stifled. She got her gardening under control enough to satisfy the Garden Gestapo, but she never warmed up to them as neighbors. Mom could be forgiving to a fault with people she loved, but she could hold a grudge forever against those she didn’t like.
She held concrete firm opinions on many things, and would never change her mind, especially when it came to politics. Knowing this about her, it was kind of shocking when she decided that dogs were okay – some dogs anyway. For most of her life, Mom held a dim view of pets in general, but keeping a dog in the city, inside a house, was absurd, and she was generous with informing people of this fact. Dogs and cats are farm animals and their place is outdoors – not in the city and NOT in a house. After time spent at Jamie’s place and at Dan’s house, where large dogs greeted her with slobbering love, she softened her stance. After visits to my home, where one of our friendly grey felines would make a nest on her lap, she decided that some cats were okay too. It was funny to see her arrive at Jamie and Joanne’s, say a quick “hi” to everyone, and give the dog some attention before visiting with the humans. She never did take a softer view of Justin Trudeau, but dogs and cats rose up in their status.
When the time came for them to move into St. Andrew’s Centre, Mom was once again faced with paring down her treasures as their new accommodations were tiny compared to the sprawling townhouse. Once again, unable to part with some things, she secretly hauled stuff to the lake cabin. A clean out of the place last fall revealed the extent of her stash and the types of treasures that she couldn’t part with. The inventory included items such as NINE pie plates – even though no one has baked a pie at the cabin for decades, if ever; six warped frying pans that were completely unusable and three turkey basters. A dresser drawer revealed a white, heavily starched nurse’s uniform from the 1960’s and a large collection of crucifixes of unknown origin. A large, framed portrait of the Pope – John Paul, the REAL pope – was also discovered among her stashed treasures.
Her car, a little white Honda Civic – sporting a Polish & Proud licence plate – also became a makeshift storage unit. It is a good thing that she didn’t drive much anymore because there was little room for people in the vehicle that was packed with toilet paper, extra Tupperware, pictures, candles, clothes – a little bit of everything actually. Peeking into the Honda, a person would think someone had been living in it.
Mom’s years at St. Andrew’s with Pat were wonderful. She finally learned how to relax, somewhat, and was closer to many friends for coffee dates, lunch outings and seeing them at mass. She loved the view from the balcony of their 7th floor apartment and spent many hours looking over the city, taking in the spectacular river valley and watching the bustling traffic of 111th Avenue.
Prior to COVID, one of her favorite outings was to Jamie and Joanne’s house for Hot Wok takeout, or barbecued ribs, and some ping pong. Being in her 80’s, she couldn’t beat granddaughter Sarah, but she could crush Joanne every game.
When cancer forced Mom into hospice care at Norwood, she knew she would not be going back to St. Andrew’s Centre. Mom would soon be leaving all of us behind and she bravely faced this reality with her staunch faith in God our Father and the promise of heaven awaiting her.
On May 24th the Lord called Jennie Antonette home, and she left us behind for another journey and another chapter.
Whether known to us as Jennie, Jen, Mom, Momma Bruha, Sister, Auntie, Grandma, the Polish Princess, or Queen of Red Deer Composite High, the passing of Mom leaves a hole in all of our hearts.
“Do widzenia Matka,” Goodbye Mother…

Card of Thanks
Our heartfelt thanks to all who sent flowers, cards, food and comforting words. Your thoughtful kindness is appreciated. We would also like to acknowledge Cameron Connelly and the staff at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home for their excellent assistance with organizing all of the details for the service. A huge thank you to the caring and compassionate staff at Norwood Hospice who gave Mom outstanding care during her last days. They are amazing people!
Pat Wiese
Joe Bruha
Dave & Carol Bruha
Jamie & Joanne Bruha
Dan Bruha & Deanna Ringrose

Mary Ellen (Hutchings) Lutz
Oct. 11, 1937 – May 28, 2021

Mary Ellen Hutchings came into this world on October 11, 1937, in Consort, Alberta, “where k.d. lang is from” she liked to say, assuming that the person questioning her would then have a better idea of where Consort is. Mary Ellen was the first of what would be five children born to John and Margaret Hutchings. Though Mary – who dropped her middle name when she married a man with an even shorter name – was whisked out of the province by her groom, her two sisters and two brothers remained and have continued to reside in Alberta, though, unknown to her, one of the brothers has predeceased her. I’m pleased to be able to say that most of them, along with other members of the family, are in attendance today.
Mary’s father was a farmer, and she lived on a farm until the day she went off to the University of Alberta in Edmonton to be trained as a nurse, a life-long passion – from childhood until the day Alzheimer’s disease deprived her of her nursing skills and knowledge. Except for two years immediately following graduation, when she returned to Consort to begin her nursing career, and another two years in a small Ontario hamlet with her newly ordained husband, she has lived in urban or suburban areas ever since. She never lost her love for the farm, however, returning something like 50 times during the six decades she lived in Ontario. She especially loved animals; of all the trips she made to foreign countries, the one she cherished most was the one to Africa, with its lions, giraffes, and elephants. In the last three years that she spent in her home, her greatest joy and constant companion was her dog Caleb.
How she met her husband is too long a story to narrate here. Suffice it to say that, like any well-brought up farmer, having “put her hand to the plough, she never looked back.” As a new bride, in the summer of 1960 she happily moved to Kingston, Ontario, to take up a nursing position at Kingston General Hospital while financing her husband through his last two years of theological training.
Their first, and as it turned out only, pastoral charge was a three point rural one centred in Burgessville, Ontario, a small village south of Woodstock on the way to Norwich. Those were two idyllic years for Mary. She gave birth to the first two of her children, Jeremy and Brian, and thoroughly enjoyed being a new mother and full-time homemaker, in a large brick manse that she adored.
However, the world was short of Old Testament scholars, so her socially-challenged pastor-husband answered the call of the church to take up the mantle of a Hebrew teacher. This involved moving, in 1964, to somewhere near the University of Toronto campus for what we thought would be four years. We were both rurally reared individuals and did not want to live in the city, so we chose to live in Clarkson. Of course, there was no money in the bank, so once again Mary supported her impecunious husband by going back to work, this time at what was then South Peel Hospital. Along the way, she also found time to become the mother of two more children, Daniel and Tammy. Oh, and did I mention, those four years stretched into thirty years of full employment, and permanent residence in this community.
In the meantime, in 1973 she switched work locations to become, at first, a hands-on-nurse at Sheridan Villa, but was soon enticed into becoming its Director of Nursing Care, at which position she remained until retirement in 1995. This constituted considerably more years of out-of-the-home employment than her marriage contract called for, but not once did I ever hear her complain.
Mary was raised in a home with a strong church background. The demands of shift work, however, made it difficult to become as involved in the life of the church as she had expected she would be when she married what was supposed to be a minister. By the time the husband was put through graduate school, the children raised, and employment at an end, her participation in church activities took forms she had not earlier considered.
Though not greatly gifted musically, she loved to dance and sing. Dancing she gave up in deference to the wishes of a severely inhibited fiancé, never to return to it, but when her domestic responsibilities eased off a bit as the youngest child became independent, Mary joined the choir, happily remaining until Alzheimer’s ended that ability as well. She enjoyed baking, and spent hours preparing the goodies she distributed each Lenten period during the Bible Study sessions, to accompany the tea and coffee that was timed precisely to be its freshest at the break. For six years we conducted an adult Sunday School class in room 5, at which tea, coffee and muffins were always present.
As far as I can remember, nothing but home-made bread was eaten in Mary’s home. After she retired, she took this pastime to a new level. At church on Sunday, she would discover who was ill, and they were likely to receive a fresh baked loaf of whole wheat bread sometime during the following week. During the Christmas season, she baked about 80 loaves of raisin bread, and these became our Christmas greetings to those church members close enough to receive one while it was still warm. Until Alzheimer’s erased that talent, she would rise early the morning of Spring Thing, to have two batches of bread brought hot to the bake table before shoppers departed.
In 1980, Kathie Black asked us to lead a group of Christ Church people to the Holy Land. The Tour did not materialize until 1984, but then was followed by three more, plus two to Turkey, and even one to England. Anyone who was on one or more of those tours will testify that whatever success the tour enjoyed was largely due to the presence of an always attentive, caring nurse. After our seventh tour Mary, quite uncharacteristically, asked me not to take on anymore tours. I came later to realize that Alzheimer’s had also taken that joy away from her.
In the last few years, when Mary was well into the middle stages of her debilitating disease, the two occasions that could bring her to near normalcy was to encounter a child – or a dog. She loved children and was a natural at relating to young ones.
Of the many blessings I have to be thankful for, one is to know that she enjoyed all her grandchildren from infancy to teens, though she never came to know that she was a great-grandmother. It is my prayer that they will be able to look beyond the recent past, and remember her as the loving grandmother she was.
Mary never wanted to be anything other than a nurse, wife, and mother. At all three she excelled. It was a privilege to have been chosen to accompany her on her life’s journey.
– Ted Lutz

Sharon Nola Skaley
April 5, 1939-June 6, 2021

Our hearts are heavy with the passing of our mom, grandma, and great grandma. Sharon passed away Sunday, June 6 at the Stettler Hospital at the age of 82. Our family is so thankful that we were all able to share time with her during her final days.
Sharon was born in Milden, Saskatchewan April 5, 1939 to Fredrick and Helen Mitchell. The first 8 years of her childhood were spent in Kirriemuir and then her family moved to Monitor. In her teenage years she worked cleaning neighbor’s homes and later, spent time in Consort helping a farm family with domestic chores and making meals. She commented that this job required 12-16 hours of her each day, but Sharon was never afraid of long days of work.
December 5, 1955 Sharon married Art Skaley and they found themselves settling in Stettler where they would build their life together and where Sharon would call home for her next 66 years. Sharon worked for Thirsks for five years before children became part of their life. A baby girl, Beverley Dawn, came into their world February 18, 1960 and 16 months later their son, Lenard Dale, arrived June 8, 1961.
Sharon was a stay-at- home mom, but also a full time bookkeeper for her and Art’s many business adventures.
Sharon will be remembered for her caring and kind heart. Throughout her lifetime she helped many friends that needed an extra hand.
After Art passed in 2014 she volunteered her time at Heritage House and would be seen at Paragon Place or Willow Creek spending time with friends. She was very involved with the Stettler Legion as a volunteer and later became an executive member. She enjoyed many different roles promoting the Legion’s activities and events. Sharon had a giving soul, an energy, and work ethic that was admired by all who knew her.
Sharon loved to bake and garden. Family and friends enjoyed her incredible cookie creations (especially at Christmas) and her friendship loaves, as well as her delicious jellies, jams, and assorted pickles.
Sharon was very proud of her five grandchildren and totally involved in all of their lives. Caring for them when they were young, being their #1 cheerleader in all the activities they participated in, and being their fun, supportive friend/Granny/Grandma always. The countless games, especially crib, and the laughs that accompanied those times spent together will be fondly remembered.
The hope of being a Great Grandma was fulfilled March 14, 2020 with the sweet arrival of Rey Belle Hebert. Sharon cherished the moments she got to cuddle and play with her great granddaughter!
Each of us holds special memories that will be treasured forever.
Sharon is survived by her son Lenard (Carolyn) Skaley; daughter Bev Konschuh; grandchildren: Parker Konschuh (Taylor), Rebecca (Jordan) Hebert, Jessica Skaley (Colby), Jeffrey Skaley (Jessie Anne and her children Lincoln, Cypress and Kasper) and Caylen Skaley (Stephen); great granddaughter Rey Belle; sisters-in-laws: Darlene Skaley, Shirley Somer and Ruth Mitchell as well as other family and many dear friends.
She is predeceased by her parents Helen and Frederick Mitchell; husband Art Skaley; son-in-law Wade Konschuh; brothers: Lorne Mitchell and Ron Mitchell; parents-in-laws: Margaret and Otto Skaley; brothers-in-laws: Harold Skaley, Edgar Skaley and John Skaley; sisters-in-laws: Grace Dyson and Marie Johnson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations in memory of Sharon are gratefully accepted to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or to Stettler Health Service Foundation ~ Palliative Care Unit. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com
Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Mary (Betty) Elizabeth McQuay
Feb. 9, 1935 ~ June 17, 2021

Mary (Betty) Elizabeth McQuay was born February 9, 1935 in Calgary, Alberta. The only child of James and Mary Williams.
Betty attended Nevis School to grade 9. In 1953 she married Dean McQuay. They moved to Stettler where Betty worked at the Stettler Dry Cleaners. Their only child Kathleen was born in 1954. In 1967 they moved to Consort, Alberta.
Betty kept busy looking after her family till her daughter was old enough to run the vacuum. She happily threw off her apron and went to work at Kroeger Brother’s Massey Ferguson Dealership. After the dealership closed, she kept busy at other miscellaneous jobs.
Betty and Dean only ever took one holiday, a trip to Hawaii which when asked, Dean said he spent the whole time looking for shade, but Betty enjoyed the trip very much.
At friend’s encouragement they did have a 25th Wedding Anniversary party. There was too much food, too many friends and relatives and all together too much fun.
Dean passed away on June 27, 1979 before their next anniversary.
Betty spent many years working for Kelly and Cheryl Day at Scotty’s Gas Bar before she retired.
Betty loved watching Tom and Paulett Kroeger and Kelly and Cheryl Day’s kids grow. She was very proud of the wall clock Kroeger Brother’s gave her when they closed, and the watch Scotty’s Gas Bar gave her when she retired.
Betty lived a quiet life till she and the cat moved to Leduc to be with Kathy for the last two years.
Betty will be remembered by her daughter Kathleen; sisters-in-law Janice Waugh and Dorothy McQuay; her nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Betty is predeceased by her husband Dean McQuay.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 5, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at the Erskine Cemetery, Erskine, Alberta. Memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation or to Erskine Cemetery c/o Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium, P.O. Box 1780, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0, 403-742-3422, who were entrusted with the care and arrangements. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.stettlerfuneralhome.com

Harry Devereux
Jan. 23, 1939 – June 19, 2021

“Harry” Charles Jorgen Devereux, the only son of Elizabeth and Stanley, was born January 23rd, 1939, in Coronation, Alberta. Harry spent 81 years in Veteran, in the original home until his move to Coronation Long Term Care in the summer of 2020, where he died on June 19th, 2021.
Harry married Carolyn Liknes in 1960 and together they raised four children, Denice, Randy, Myron, and Angela. He is predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth and Stanley, and his son, Randy. He leaves his loving wife, Carolyn, his three children, Denice, Myron, and Angela, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Denice (Ron) Bezoplenko; Natassia (Lucas), Nathan (Sophia), Monique (Keenan; Benjamin); Myron (Chricinda) Devereux; Katie (Josiah; Rosie), Emily (Jack); Angela (Ted) Myers; Sarah (Ed), Bronwen (Jeremy).
Harry started his career early, taking over the family business at the age of 20 and newly engaged, after the sudden loss of his dad. He knew most of the old pioneers from his many years in the store, holding their stories and much of the history of the area with great interest. He enjoyed people, and loved a good “character”.
Devereux’s Store (“where your dollars buy more!”), expanded over time, by Harry’s vision and good humour. From cartoon ads to free corn roasts, he loved the energy of a good sale, and a chance to meet “the locals”. He expanded from hardware into furniture in Veteran, then opened East Country Furniture in Coronation in 1977. Devereux’s store was sold in 1981, the end of an era for Veteran, of three generations of Devereux business owners. In the early 1970’s, Harry and Carolyn also joined with Ben and Lois Ellerby to open “Dell Wash-In” coin laundry and car wash, in both Veteran and Coronation. East Country Furniture was sold to long-time employee and friend, Lorne Heistad, in 2003, ending Harry’s long history in retail.
Harry cared about community. He wanted to see the area thrive, serving as he did on the Veteran Board of Trade and Town Council, and as a faithful member in his church. His interests in beekeeping and woodworking provided more community engagement via local craft shows, where he sold honey alongside his woodworking projects. He especially enjoyed the local coffee shop in Veteran, the humour, local tales, and practical jokes found there. Often, his concern for small towns would enter his conversations, and he mourned any closing of local businesses.
Family is where Harry’s most lasting legacy will hold firm. His family witnessed a faith that was genuine, practical, and intentional in generosity. He set the tone for the family by loving his wife deeply and dearly. Annual family camping trips, and, later, multi-generational river canoe trips instilled a love for nature, an interest in history, and a general curiosity for life. His family mourns his mentoring faith, his humour, his intentional one-on-one conversations and the proud pleasure he had for each of them; they will especially miss his “bless you.”
A funeral service will be held on July 10th, 1:00 p.m., at Veteran Full Gospel Church, with lunch to follow at Veteran Hall. For those wishing to attend the funeral service and respect social distancing, seating will be available.
For those unable to attend the service in person there will be a recorded version of Harry’s funeral on Parkview Funeral Chapels website following the service and reached by clicking on Harry’s obituary. Donations are gratefully accepted to Parkinson’s Society of Alberta or Gideons.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Coronation Long Term Care and Hospital for their excellent care and loving attentiveness to Harry over the past year.
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium are entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com

Diane Bailey
March 3, 1942-June 20, 2021

On June 20, 2021, Mrs. Diane Bailey of St. Paul passed away at the age of 79 years. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Jim; children, Randy Bailey (Jill DeMulder), Dona Lilje, Wayne (Roxanne) Bailey and Rhonda Bailey (Joe Bachelet); eight grandchildren, Laura (Frankie) Sloan, Bryanne Bailey (Troy), Lisa (Casey) Dunlop, Brandon Bailey, Ashley (Andrew) Kuzma, Baxter Bailey, Devan Bailey and Shelby-Lynn Bailey; nine great-grandchildren, Cade, Cash, Bailey, James, Rocky, Avery, Colt, Maxwell and Rylen; brother, John Martin; sister-in-law, Jayne Martin; brother-in-law, Tom (Glenda) Bailey.
Diane was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Mabelle Martin; three brothers, Don, Jim (Wendy) & Bill; mother-in-law, Evelyn Bailey; son-in-law, Lawrence Lilje. A Funeral Service was held on July 2 at Ashmont Agri-plex, Ashmont, Alberta with interment in Willow Grove Cemetery, Owlseye.
Eulogy
I can imagine the comments in Diane’s High School Yearbook would have read something like…. Diane is tenacious, Diane will be a force to be reckoned with, Diane will travel far….but no one would have predicted that she would spend part of her first winter married to Jim in the bush, in an ATCO trailer near McRae, Alberta with a two-year-old and no running water… definitely less amenities than she was used to. She was a city girl who met, fell in love with, and married a tall, handsome cowboy and embraced the country life that came with him.
Diane was born in Calgary, Alberta, on March 3, 1942 to Donald and Mabelle Martin. She would be the eldest sister to four brothers – Don, Jim, John, and Bill. She was often left in charge of these four, while her parents worked in the evenings. She had a typical ‘50s childhood – sock hops and shopping on the weekends. She quit high school early and went to work at the then Calgary Exchange.
Diane met Jim in Consort, Alberta when she joined her best friend Myrna, who spent her summers with her sister Joan, who lived in Consort. Myrna was dating Bud who was Jim’s best friend. There were lots of dances and picnics; but an odd event seemed to seal Diane and Jim’s fate together.
One day, Jim saddled up a horse – something that he considered broke, but not city girl broke – for Diane to ride. As luck would have it, the horse spooked and took off for the barn. Diane calling for Jim to help and Jim yelling back “Duck, Duck” because he could see the inevitable outcome…. low beam over the barn door. She hit that beam and was knocked off the horse. Thankfully, she was unhurt, only shook-up, and apparently that sealed their deal.
Jim and Diane were married in Calgary on September 21, 1963 with then baby Randy in attendance. They moved to Consort but eventually settled to raise kids, cows, and horses in the Ashmont/St. Paul area.
The Bailey family increased by three more children; Dona in 1965 and Wayne in 1967. After those two were off to school, Diane worked at the Royal Bank in Consort… and get this….had to sign a waiver that said she would have no more kids….and then, along came Rhonda in 1972.
Diane was a staunch supporter of her family’s rodeo ambitions – first with Jim as she travelled with him to his rodeos. Back then rodeo organizing left a little to be desired and they always needed help. Someone asked her if she could run a stopwatch and her path was inevitable. After that, she was regularly found helping out somewhere even if it meant having the cowboys boost her into the announcer’s stand or spending the day in the booth wrapped up in sleeping bags to keep warm, keeping an eye on both her children and the timers.
Diane was an organizer, she had laser insight into how things should be done, and many businesses, organizations and events benefited from her tireless work in both paid and volunteer positions. From school field trips to hockey and 4H to the PTA, AGT, Royal Bank to Lakeland Rodeo Association and the North American Rodeo Commission, Diane stepped-up and filled where needed, giving it her all. Many a new LRA president, willingly or unwillingly, benefitted from her expertise in running that organization!
Diane was a bit of an entrepreneur, keen to contribute to the family finances. Her most successful adventure was Bailey’s Western Store in St. Paul which she ran for 10 years with daughter Dona. People still talk about that store and how they would willingly travel to shop, citing it was because of the good service and selection. But I think it was Diane’s knack for remembering people, never forgetting a name. She knew everybody and loved to visit, catching up with old and new friends.
While Diane was thrifty, she was also a serious shopper – first, as a young girl running interference for her Mum at Woodward’s $1.49 Day sales – battling others for the deal, later it was garage sales. On many occasions after Diane and Dixie set off for a day of touring of the Maricopa area garage sales, Jim and Larry would receive a phone call to bring the truck, they had scored more than the car could hold!
Diane loved to travel – not just down the country roads to rodeos but on longer RV trips with Jim to Alaska and the Maritimes. She loved their Nashville trips. She spoke often of the fun they had on the CFCW country music cruise from Miami with Brent Kissel. She travelled to England twice with her cousin Betty to look into her family history. I think she was a little disappointed to find out her ancestors were more infamous than famous.
Diane was a good cook. Granny taught Diane and Diane taught her girls. Fruit pies were Jim’s favourite – pie and ice-cream – she was master pie maker. Soon after Jim and Diane were married, Jim went to Naco to look after Uncle Jim Arthur’s cow and horse herd, while Unc went to New Mexico for the winter. But after tasting Diane’s cooking, Unc cancelled his trip and never left home for the rest of the winter.
Jim and Diane became snowbirds in 1999, spending their winters in Arizona eventually purchasing a home down there. Jim roped and Diane honed her slot machine skills, she was a wizard and pretty much held her own against the house. She enjoyed the people, the atmosphere, and the entertainment.
One annual event that Diane looked forward to was spending the 10 days with Old Time Rigs at the Calgary Stampede. In 1999, they were asked to bring a team and wagon down and it came with premium parking close to the action, daily parades of downtown Calgary, invitations to events and a chance to catch up with old friends.
Diane was the family historian and thankfully, the family photographer – her office is filled with photographs of family and friends. Later she combined that with her love of scrapbooking to make scrapbooks for each one of her kids – sharing her memories of their exploits and adventures, and in retrospect, how much she loved them and how proud she was of them. She planted a tree in celebration of each grandchild’s birth and in loving memory of her parents.
Diane was blessed with eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. This steady stream of new-borns pleased her immensely as she loved to cuddle the babies. She loved them all and was always happy to see them. The fridge was covered in pictures. Family was incredibly important to Diane and the term “family” extended out to the many that she held near and dear to her heart.
Diane not only embraced the country life, she survived and thrived. Diane lived life well and did things her way. She was a colourful character, who loved many and is loved by many in return.
She will be remembered.
~Fill your life with shared memories and love, and in the end, you will have lived.~

Laura Marie Fawcett
Nov. 14, 1941 – June 25, 2021

It’s not how long the flower blooms, but how beautifully. Laura Marie Fawcett, 79, passed away in the Consort Hospital on June 25, 2021. She was born on November 14, 1941 to Bill and Marie Golby of Silver Heights.
She attended school in Castor, Silver Heights, and then Brownfield. She later graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Education. After graduation she landed her first teaching job in Coronation and then taught in Consort.
She married Donald Fawcett on November 30, 1963 and had three children Myron, Robert and Heather.
She was a substitute teacher for several years after her children were born and all while working full time in her home carrying out many positions including head cook, janitor, bookkeeper, gardener, and sometimes peace negotiator. She also worked later on at Sew & Sew Manufacturing and as a cook at the Consort Senior Citizen’s Lodge.
Laura was very actively involved in her community. Very few people didn’t know her as she’s introduced herself to almost everyone!
Laura was a tireless and selfless volunteer. She was a dedicated 4-H leader, Hospital Auxiliary member and Ag Society member. She also organized numerous Farmer’s Markets and annual Christmas Markets.
Her incredible talents included sewing, quilting, gardening, baking, and canning. Laura’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. She also loved sports, especially her beloved Blue Jays, as well as curling. The legacy of Laura’s kind spirit, passion for sports, and zest for life will live on through them.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Marie Golby, her brothers Leonard and Edward; mother and father in law Neal and Allison Fawcett; brothers and sister-in-law Charles and Donna Fawcett and Keith Fawcett.
Laura is survived by husband Donald; children: Myron (Tracey) Fawcett, Robert Fawcett, Heather (Ryan) Gilmer; grandchildren: Jared (Ashley) Fawcett, Robin (Kyle) Bye, Alyssa Lupyczuk (Layne Ference): great grandchildren Eve and Fletcher Bye; brothers and sisters-in-law: Annette Golby, Clarence (Donna) Golby, Allan (Cheryl) Golby, Larry (Donna) Golby, Roger (Sherry) Golby, Brian (Kathy) Golby, Doug (Adah) Fawcett, Inge Fawcett, Alan (Janice) Fawcett; as well numerous nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Laura will be sorely missed by her family and many, many friends but never forgotten.
A funeral service for Laura was held on Tuesday, July 6 at the Consort Curling Rink.
Memorial donations may be made to Consort Hospital Auxiliary, Consort Community Pool Association and to the Lakeroad Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Eulogy
by Val Gonda
Thank you to everyone who was able to be here today to celebrate the life of a very special woman, Laura Fawcett.
For those who don’t know me, my name is Valerie Gonda, I am Laura’s niece, born to Ed and Annette Golby. Well, dad always said he found me in the ditch outside of Camrose, so he teased that I wasn’t actually his daughter. In fact, dad loved to tease, and Aunt Laura was the brunt of many jokes. That small little spit-fire of a lady would tell my dad exactly where to go when he pushed her buttons too far! Dad used to copy Laura’s homework and make her so angry – so she got sneaky one time and wrote out the wrong answers for him to copy to teach him a lesson.
Laura was like the mother to all of her younger brothers. She made sure they were all taken care of when her own mom passed away at such a young age. She was very family oriented and always asked how everyone was doing whenever she talked to her brothers. They all loved to play games, and so the competition was fierce among them.
Laura grew up loving sports, especially baseball. She even coached girls minor ball for a few years and celebrated winning the gold twice with the girls. Whenever there was a tournament, she would always volunteer to keep score. She especially loved watching her beloved Blue Jays and her nephews play ball.
Even while in the hospital in Red Deer she was ticked off because the TV wasn’t working properly and she couldn’t keep up with the game, so she called Heather to check for an update on the internet.
Hockey was another sport she loved to watch. Just last week, she was watching the Montreal Canadiens play in the Stanley Cup final, and she admitted to Auntie Donna that she was actually cheering for the Canadiens – but she said she sure wouldn’t want Dad to know that!
Aunt Laura was an amazing person. A woman who was everything …. (wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, sister, aunt, great aunt, great great aunt and friend) to everyone who knew her – and even those who didn’t, as she certainly wasn’t shy and would introduce herself to random people.
Aunt Kathy and Aunt Laura went on four cruises together. Kathy mentioned that they would go on various day trip excursions, and be waiting in line. Pretty soon, Aunt Laura would be visiting and talking to the people ahead of her, and it wasn’t long and she’d be 4-5 people ahead of where she started, genuinely interested in who everyone was, and learning where they were from, all while inching up in the line. Eventually, Kathy was left behind because Laura had made friends all the way through the lineup and successfully butted in front of everyone.
Laura was a very proud grandmother to Jared, Robin, and Alyssa, and adored her great grandchildren, Eve and Fletcher – she loved to see videos of the kids that Robin or Myron would send her.
One time at the dam in Coronation, she gave her great niece Jenna and granddaughter Alyssa – who were 12 at the time – an iced tea – however, she didn’t realize it was a twisted tea – an adult beverage.
Auntie adored small children and would always befriend and tease every little one that she could.
She was always up for a coffee and a visit with her friends. They were so supportive of one another and would chat about everything together.
Aunt Laura had almost daily visits with Trudie (who was more like the sister Laura never had) – her sister in laws were all so close to her as well (she loved them all so much) some of Laura’s best friends were her family.
Laura’s close friend, Sue looked after her in Sue’s home last summer when she came out of the hospital after her colon cancer surgery. Sue told Laura that she couldn’t go home until laundry was upstairs. So Laura called Heather to help her clean out the spare room, next thing there was a work bee, with Sue leading the pack. Robert arrived, the carpet was pulled up, and new flooring installed. Laura had to supervise the work crew to make sure they didn’t throw out certain things as they were decluttering closets.
Laura was recently telling Heather that Sue was a bit of a hard-ass, but Laura also admitted that she needed that. Laura was always showing Sue her gratitude by sewing her table runners and placemats.
She was an incredible seamstress. She made many flower girl dresses, quilts, table runners, and other beautiful things. She would bring her creativity to the farmer’s market and managed to sew together 15 table runners within a couple of months to prepare for the Christmas market.
She would also make extra jelly, jams, relish, pickles – to sell at the market. The apple jelly that she made was the only one that Alyssa’s fiancé Layne would eat as a kid. His mom would have to purchase cases at a time.
Aunt Laura loved to travel and visited Vegas, Yukon/Alaska, Sunshine Coast, Mexico, and had her 5th cruise booked with Aunty Kathy before COVID hit. Laura and Kathy’s tradition while on the cruises was to find the martini bar as soon as they boarded the ship, and they’d try out a different martini each night.
She went with Uncle Donnie to Yukon/Alaska with their very good friends Jim and Diane Bailey. Uncle Donnie never got away from the ranch that often but when he did Auntie was raring to go have fun.
Of course she’d also have weekend getaways to Melba’s in Sundre. They’d tour around and end up in a casino or two. Her advice to Auntie Donna when at the casino was to play $20, then once you’re ahead, you pull out your original $20, and then you’ll always be playing on the casino’s money and never lose. Auntie Donna said, “but what if I don’t win??? And then it’s another $20, and another…..” That didn’t even cross Laura’s mind, because she was always so darned lucky!
Dance moms are a real thing except not for Laura because Heather refused to wear any of the costumes. Her dream came true when Alyssa started dance and Laura got to spend weekend upon weekend with her granddaughter Alyssa at her dance festivals and competitions. She quickly became affectionately known as “Grandma Laura”. There are so many girls that still call her that years after they were finished dancing.
Every year Laura collected the Ag Society Scholarships and she was so interested in what all the grads were pursuing after high school.
Laura was also a dedicated 4-H leader for many years for Creative Hands in Consort and Beef club. She taught many young people to sew and was known there as Grandma Laura as well.
As sociable as Auntie Laura was, COVID was particularly difficult for her. She loved to see people and visit. So she’d been going a little stir crazy, being in the house for so long, so she schemed up a plan for a weekend away at Clarence and Donna’s. Instead of checking if that was okay with Heather or Myron, she called Robert for permission to go to Clarence and Donna’s for the weekend. I guess he’s the softy of the three. Uncle Clarence managed to beat her at a few games of crib and made her angry, because she was so competitive, but that’s what you get when you grow up in a house full of seven boys.
Laura loved gardening, her flowers and looking after her yard. She got a zero turn mower and loved that machine. However, one time, she appeared for coffee with friends and had several scratches on her arm. When asked what happened, Laura said she was on the mower, got tangled up in a branch and ended up in the bush. Jared had to come to her rescue to get her out.
Laura wasn’t ever one to complain but over the past few months had been in so much pain.
In Myron’s words: ‘She was an awesome mom, who constantly put up with our shit’. There will be a huge void without Aunt Laura, as she did so much for her family, friends and community. She really was a gem and will be dearly missed. Her legacy is left behind in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and in all of us.
Rest easy Auntie, I love you.

Thank you from the family of Laura Fawcett
Thank you to our family, friends, neighbours and the community for all of your kindness and generosity during this difficult time. We appreciate all of your visits, calls, texts, flowers, food and donations to the Hospital Auxiliary, Consort Pool Foundation and Lakeroad Cemetery in mom’s memory. Thank you to the staff at Parkview Funeral Home, Reverend Kwon and Susan Bowyer for the beautiful service, Pat and Charlotte Gilmer for their lovely music, Sue and Emily Simkin for setting up the wonderful memory table and the Consort community ladies for providing the delicious lunch. We are so grateful to you all!
Sincerely,
Donnie Fawcett
Myron & Tracey Fawcett
and family
Robert Fawcett and
family
Heather & Ryan Gilmer

Lawrence Edward George Letniak
April 30, 1951-June 25, 2021

Lawrence Edward George Letniak was born April 30, 1951 at the Consort Hospital to James and Mary (Tym) Letniak. He completed the family of four children, joining siblings Ron, Darlene, and Ellen, making what his mother described as “the perfect family” of two boys and two girls. Except for five years, he was to call the Hemaruka area home until his passing on June 25, 2021 at the Coronation Hospital, at the age of 70.
After graduating from Consort High School, Lawrence received a Science degree from Walla Walla University, WA. It was here that Debbie Siemsen, an adventurous young teacher-to-be from Sandpoint, Idaho, caught his eye and his heart. Love blossomed and after graduation, they were married on June 29, 1975. Their first year of married life was spent in Zimbabwe, Africa, where they both took a one-year teaching assignment. Upon their return to Alberta, they set up their home on the Letniak farm near Hemaruka and the 45-year farming adventure began. In March, 1981, Lawrence and Debbie joyfully welcomed their son, Ryan, to their home, followed by more delight when daughter, Jodi, arrived to complete their family in February, 1983. They lived busy lives and life was good for many years; Debbie caring for the children as well as working in the field of education, and Lawrence doing what he loved most…farming. However, sadness struck their home shortly after Debbie’s retirement. Bravely, she battled cancer but passed away on January 6, 2018. Lawrence and Debbie had been married for over 42 years.
Lawrence continued to farm and in time, he became acquainted with Sheri Parchment Townsend from Lacombe. Once more, wedding bells were to ring and Lawrence and Sheri pledged their love to each other on March 8, 2020. Several months later, Lawrence’s leukemia symptoms seriously surfaced and during the next year, Sheri lovingly cared for him. He continued farming duties to a lesser degree but always took joy in doing whatever he could do right until his final day of life. Lawrence and Sheri had been married almost 16 months at the time of Lawrence’s passing. Lawrence had a cheerful, positive, up-beat and fun-loving way. He smiled freely and looked for any excuse to laugh (often even at the hard things of life!). And he shared his joyful spirit with others. He had a genuine interest in people and often listened without judgment. This allowed him, when appropriate, to give encouragement and timely counsel as well. He took time to be involved in the broader community; visiting those needing encouragements, helping where needed, including serving on the Special Areas and Medical Centre Boards for many years. As a child, Lawrence was naturally inquisitive and curious about how things worked. He was often found taking things apart but not always able to put them back together, much to his father’s dismay! However, as an adult, this inquisitive nature developed within him an uncanny ability to innovate and problem-solve situations he encountered on and off the farm.
Two elements were central to Lawrence’s life: his love for God; and his love for people, beginning with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend. Lawrence lived his life with genuine authenticity being the same at home, at work, at church, or in the community. He walked through life courageously, facing many enabled him to carry on and express gratitude even in adversity. His joyful spirit, his kind, gentle and encouraging ways will be greatly missed.
Lawrence is survived by his loving wife, Sheri; children: Ryan (Trina) Letniak of Edmonton; and Jodi (Marvin) Primero of Burleson, TX; grandchildren: Chloe and Braden Primero; siblings: Ron (Connie) Letniak of Hemaruka; Darlene (Paul) Karmy of Texas; and Ellen (Bob) Bell of Lacombe; sister-in-law: Patti (Steve) Schultz of Post Falls, ID, brothers-in-law: Don (Cyndie) Siemsen of Chiloquin, OR; Dave (Sue) Siemsen of Newport, WA, nephews and nieces: David (Kristi) Karmy, Julie (Jason) Burghart, Curt (Julie) Letniak, Kevin (Angie) Letniak, Brian Bell, Lisa (Nick) Jay, Heather (Mark) Janke, Kevin (Giselle) Schultz, Nicole Schultz, Jacob Siemsen, Tanner Siemsen, Sydney Siemsen, Spencer Siemsen, Samantha Siemsen; 12 great-nephews and great-nieces, several aunts and uncles, a host of cousins and many community friends.
Lawrence was predeceased by his wife, Debbie (Siemsen) Letniak, and parents, James and Mary (Tym) Letniak.
Interment took place at Lakeroad Cemetery on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Celebration of Lawrence’s Life will be held on Monday, August 2nd, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Veteran Full Gospel Church. Luncheon to follow at Veteran Community Hall. Memorial donations may be made to the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
Thank You
The family of Lawrence Letniak would like to thank Dr. Akindipe and the nursing staff of the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre for their excellent care.

Regina (Dick) Grover
Nov. 8, 1931 – July 7, 2021

Regina Grover (Dick) also known as Jean was born November 8, 1931 to Peter and Catherine Dick in Cereal, Alberta. She passed away peacefully at the Oyen Hospital on July 7, 2021 with her family by her side.
Jean was the eldest of seven children followed by Paul, William, Robert, Rita, Gordon and Rose Marie. Jean worked at the Oyen Hospital until she met the love of her life Abner Grover.
On July 21, 1954 Jean and Abner were married in Oyen, Alberta. To this union they had seven children.- Dennis, Kenneth, Lorna, Carol, Janet, Brian and Ronald. They made their first home in Oyen, then in 1967 moved due to Abner’s job to Consort. In 1975 to Hanna where they resided until November 2020, at this time the Oyen Lodge became their new home.
She loved to go camping – first starting out with a tent, then later obtaining a cabin at Gooseberry Lake. In the mid seventies, they purchased their first motorhome, where they made many miles throughout Canada and the United States enjoying the company of family and many friends. She was very proud to have been able to travel down south for three months each winter with friends for 19 years. Great times were had and great memories were made along the way. Jean was a great cook, but she really loved her Kentucky Fried Chicken and onion rings. She loved doing crafts and sewing. She made many clothes for her family and herself over the years. Crocheting and knitting was also her favorite pastime while traveling. She made many afghans and stuffed animals for the grandkids.
What she loved most of all was her family, we were always greeted with a big hug. She enjoyed the visits and phone calls. All times spent with her family were so very special to her.
Jean leaves to mourn; her loving husband Abner of 66 years, her children; Dennis (Penny) Grover, Ken (Kathy) Grover, Lorna (Matthew) Robinson, Carol Carriere, Janet (Gordon) Resch, Brian (Darlene) Grover, Ron (Laura) Grover, 21 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, her sister, brothers and extended families as well as many wonderful family and friends.
Jean was predeceased by her parents Peter and Catherine Dick, mother and father in law Glen and Hazel Grover, sister Rose Marie Rude, sisters-in-law Teresa Dick, Bonnie Dick, Margaret Kautz, Thelma Paulson, brother-in-law Clare Paulson, son-in-law Rod Carriere and great granddaughter June Resch.
The funeral mass was held Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 11:00 a.m at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Oyen, Alberta. The service was livestreamed on ofsmacleans.com
Memorial Donations may be directed to the Oyen and District Health Care Foundation Box 150, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0, or to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Funeral Arrangements in the care of MacLean’s Funeral Home in Oyen, Alberta.

Donald Lindsay
May 15, 1948 – July 26, 2021

Donald Carl Lindsay was born on May 15, 1948 in Consort, Alberta to Bill and Alice Lindsay.
Donald passed away on July 26, 2021 near Consort, Alberta, at the age of 73 years.
He will be lovingly remembered by his siblings, Bob (Carol) and their children Rod (Stacey) and children, Kisha & Braden, Shawn = (Billie Jo) and children, Everett and T.J., and Rhea (Jared) and son, Rowdie; Lee (Liz); Helen (Dennis) and their children, Josie (Travis), Brooke, and Lacy and son, Dante; Steve; aunt, Myrna MacArthur; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
Donald was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Alice; brother, John; nephew, Shawn; uncles, Jack, George (Bertha), and Bud; aunt, Joan (Stan).
A graveside service for Donald will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Road Cemetery in Consort, Alberta. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Gem Centre in Consort, Alberta.

Allen Dean Turton
Sept. 15, 1955-July 29, 2021

Allen Dean Turton passed away on July 29th, 2021 while taking a nap, at the age of 65. He was born on September 15th, 1955 in Consort, Alberta.
Allen was raised on the farm just outside of Consort. He was a kind, gentle, happy-go-lucky guy, who loved babies, kids, and small animals. He loved to build forts, tinker and fix things with electronics such as radios, music players. He loved to dance, skate, play music, ride bikes fast, steal cars and take long walks, he would walk everywhere. He worked at a greenhouse, dairy farm, pig farm, recycling plant and loved to babysit kids, cats, dogs, things and homes. He was not scared to try anything new which sometimes got him into trouble. Allen was unaware of how successful he really was, and was a guiding light to others.
Allen is survived by his four sisters Betty Jean (Turton) Ebel, Patricia Lynn (Turton) Simpson and Nellie Virginia (Turton) Holt and youngest sister Roxanne (Turton) Schultz by only 39 days; as well as many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed. Allen is predeceased by his mother Clarissa Yvonne (Johnson) Turton and his father Jackie Edward Turton.
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Veteran Community Hall. Interment was on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at Butte Lutheran Church Cemetery where he was laid to rest with his mom, Clarissa Yvonne (Johnson) Turton, with Reverend Dr. OhWang Kwon officiating.

Elaine Mae Holliday (nee McFetridge)
May 23, 1923 – Aug. 18, 2021

Elaine was born in Consort to George and Marion McFetridge, the youngest in a line of brothers and sisters: Duncan, Jean, Bette and Jack. Memories of her youth were of warm and fun times with family and an abundance of friends. Rolling out the tennis court in the summer and flooding the same patch in the winter for skating, hanging out at her Dad’s garage, her mother organizing plays for the local dramatic society, dances and parties, catching groundhogs in the prairie grasses, the Christmas morning when she awoke to find that her mother had stitched a beautiful wardrobe for her doll, her mother having bridge parties and serving dainty sandwiches on her special Limoges luncheon service, fabled summers at their cabin at Gooseberry Lake. She always loved playing the piano – jazz tunes like Fly Me To The Moon and Heart of My Heart. Sing-alongs around the piano were a special treat throughout her life.
Once grown, Elaine took a business course and then was employed as a teller in Brooks. After that followed a variety of jobs, several working in Canadian Pacific Hotels, such as Banff Springs and the Algonquin when her brother-in-law, Chuck Burton (Bette) was working in senior management there. Eventually Elaine made her way to Victoria to work as a teller at the Royal Bank. While lodging at the Craigmyle Guest House on the street below Craigdarroch Castle (now Craigmyle B & B) she met Willard (Bill) Holliday, himself a guest at the establishment. On July 3, 1954, Elaine and Bill were married in the McFetridge family garden in Consort and then moved to Kamloops. Elaine and Bill became proud parents to Cynthia and Graham, and Elaine, in her customarily enthusiastic way, threw herself into her new life in the Interior. Over the years, Elaine and Bill met many wonderful people who became lifelong friends. Artists and art-lovers, musicians and music-lovers, hikers and lovers of nature, literary folk, next-door neighbours and many, many more – and there was always fun. Elaine got herself a potters wheel and enjoyed the wonders of creating something interesting and useful out of the clay that Mother Earth gives us; she gathered grasses from the Kamloops hills and wove baskets; made vats of dye and wax and tried batiking, then sewed summer skirts from her handiwork; did soapstone sculpting; dived into making stained glass; loved to camp, especially travelling across Canada in their Westfalia van.She enjoyed heading into the hills to rockhound with family and friends where she would be thrilled to find agate treasures, pieces of mica and little etchings in rock of interesting insects and animals fossilized thousands of years ago – her pockets and backpack would be full of twigs, bark, leaves, pebbles, bird feathers, pussy willows, fungus, seed heads and bullrushes she’d found and marvelled at along the way. She showed her children how to build teepees, write on birch bark, and was very much interested in Indigenous traditions, culture and beliefs, especially those of the Interior and Northwest Coast Indigenous Peoples. She sewed much of her own and Cynthia’s clothing – one summer she made matching summer dresses for both of them – she remade her own winter coats into stylish coats that would fit Cynthia, complete with miniature fur collars, – bedspreads, cushion covers, napkins and placemats, drapes – you name it, she’d sew it. She embraced birdwatching – the family became accustomed to her interrupting a conversation and grabbing the binoculars to catch a glimpse of a feathered creature on a nearby branch. She was a prodigious baker – the house was always fragrant with the scent of cookies, cakes, pies, bread and other treats. She was the original recycler telling her small children that we must take care of our planet and nature by reusing everything we possibly can. A healthy and clean diet was also important – Elaine eschewed processed food – she canned, preserved, stewed and dried every available fruit and vegetable and ground her own peanuts for peanut butter without additives. On occasion she even ground her own wheat for bread. Joy and fun were always with Elaine, she brought them with her, and people loved being around her. Even the younger generation – her children tell of friends of theirs calling Elaine ‘Mom’ in response to her natural warmth, kindness and fun.
Once Bill retired, he and Elaine headed across the Salish Sea to Victoria where they spent almost 30 years enjoying the company of many friends, old and new. Picnicing was always a favourite activity but with retirement, it became an almost daily event, with each other or with family or friends, enjoying the ocean breezes, sky and natural landscape. The symphony, art galleries, museums, trips to Britain, Europe, Egypt, the Middle East, the States, Mexico and Hawaii, and closer to home – they were always busy, interested and engaged with life. Elaine and Bill were voracious newspaper readers, loved MacLeans magazine and were book lovers. Many an interesting and enjoyable discussion took place in the living room or around the dining table, be it about politics, history, popular culture, art, travel or just catching up on each other’s news. Elaine’s time in Victoria was happy but after Bill passed away she moved into a retirement home in Abbotsford to be closer to her children. For another 15 years Elaine found new and wonderful friends (whilst keeping in touch with all her old ones). She continued to inject a sense of fun into life at her retirement home by giving the ladies at her table witch’s hats to wear for Halloween, finding a fireman calendar, tearing it apart, and putting a picture of a burly, shirtless fireman under the glass at each lady’s spot providing them with special ‘placemats’ (they loved it!), introducing ‘happy hour’ before dinner to enjoy a social libation, and much more fun and high jinks. She drove her granddaughter and other children to and from school as part of the carpool. She’d walk past lawn chairs and plunk herself right on the grass under the trees where the earth’s energy was close and the trees’ leaves spoke to her from above. One of the staff at the retirement home gave her newborn daughter Mom’s name as a middle name and she was beloved by all who knew her. She wrote poetry and prose, loved a good game of Scrabble or cards (Spite and Malice or Crib) and was always looking up words in her well-worn dictionary. She still loved to listen to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet and the music of the war years and enjoyed the music of Diana Krall, KD Lang, Leonard Cohen and other popular singers. And she enjoyed jiving almost until the end of her life. Even during her last years in a nursing home, which were not easy years, her graciousness, kindness, curiosity and intelligence shone through and the staff loved and admired her for it. And there, in turn, Elaine received exemplary and loving care from the wonderful staff.
Elaine lived and loved life to the fullest – she always had her eye on the big picture, rarely becoming mired in something that she knew would pass with time. She probed, asked questions of herself and others – was curious and always wanted to learn more about everything and anything. She brought love and joy with her wherever she went and shared it lavishly with all who knew her, passing along positivity and wonder and the pleasure that comes from living in the moment. She lived a good life, left an amazing legacy and will be greatly missed by many.
Elaine is survived by her daughter Cynthia, son Graham, grandchildren, Pamela, Catherine, Andrew, Avery and Eli, nieces, nephews and loving folk from all of her 98 years of living.

Roxanne (Turton) Schultz
May 5, 1966-Sept. 6, 2021

Roxanne (Turton) Schultz passed away on September 6th, 2021, at her home near Coaldale, Alberta, at the age of 55. She was born May 5th 1966, in Claresholm, Alberta.
Roxanne was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the very early age of 6, then later in her 20s with lupus. She suffered much physically as a result throughout her life, but that didn’t stop her from becoming an overcomer with her many challenges. She was a cherished loving mother of three wonderful sons. Roxanne loved her fur babies, as she called her pets. She enjoyed lots of slurpees, reading, bicycling, going for walks watching movies, lover of music, dancing, gardening and visiting with her numerous friends. She loved to talk about all things as she was a wealth of knowledge because of her avid reading. She had a beautiful mind. We used to call her the Trivial Pursuit Queen because she was always interested in everything.
Roxanne is survived by her three sons: Zachariah Cameron, Isaac Benjamin (Debra Tisdale, fiancee) and Elijah Oscar Schultz, as well as Quinton Schultz, father of her sons; her three sisters: Betty Jean (Turton) Ebel, Patricia Lynn (Turton) Simpson and Nellie Virginia (Turton) Holt and many nieces and nephews that will surely miss her as she was the best auntie. Roxanne was predeceased by her mother Clarissa Yvonne (Johnson) Turton and brother Allen Dean Turton.
A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Veteran Community Hall. Interment was at Butte Lutheran Church Cemetery where she was laid to rest with her mom, Clarissa Yvonne (Johnson) Turton, with Reverend Dr. OhWang Kwon officiating.

Alvina Annie Funk
Sept. 19, 1928-Sept. 27, 2021

Alvina Annie (Dyck) Funk, 93, of Consort, Alberta died peacefully on September 27, 2021, at Consort Long Term Care, Consort, Alberta. She was born on September 19, 1928, in Herbert, Saskatchewan to David G. and Katherina (Klassen) Dyck. The responsibility of growing up in a large family proved to be ever true for Alvina as the oldest daughter in the family of eleven she was required to be available to help her mom with the household and the raising of younger siblings, as well as, required to help her dad with the farm chores, particularly the animals.
November 20, 1949, at 21 years of age, Alvina and Henry P. Funk were married. In the spring of 1950, they moved to Consort where they would build their home, raise their family, and farm until Henry’s passing in 1985.
A loving mother and homemaker, Alvina loved to cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family, especially over the holidays, until she was no longer able to do so. In addition to working on the farm, Alvina also worked at the Consort Lodge in the kitchen from 1981 to 1985. For many years leading up to her passing, Alvina collected a large library of romance novels. She also loved playing games with her family such as Yahtzee and Chinese Checkers, of which she had a series of set moves to make sure she could outwit any opponent that would come her way. Alvina’s passions were crocheting and flower gardens. She loved Christmas and watching movies. It was such a delight for anyone around her to hear her burst out laughing at funny movies.
When your mom gets to be 93 years young, she is so much more than a mother, she is your friend; albeit we are so grateful to have had her with us for this long, we are broken-hearted to see her go so soon.
Alvina is survived by her children, Carol (Gary) Giesbrecht, Doreen (Bob) Bonham, Janice (Gerald) Regehr, Glenn (Sarah) Funk; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Herb (Nettie); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alvina is predeceased by her husband of 35 years, Henry Funk; daughter, Gail Katherine Funk; grandson, Robert Henry Bonham; parents, David G. and Katherina Dyck; seven brothers and two sisters.
If so desired, memorial donations are gratefully received for the Lake Road Cemetery via the Village of Consort Office, Box 490, Consort, Alberta, T0C 1B0 or 403-577-3623.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.coronationfuneralhome.ca.
Arrangements in care of Coronation Funeral Home.
Eulogy for Mom
How do you ever say “goodbye” to your Mom or your Gramma or your Great Gramma? I don’t honestly think you ever do. She’s always going to be a part of us!
Today, I have the privilege of being here before you to read only a very small part of her story and after, I encourage each of you to come forth and share your stories. But for now, please bear with me while I read from Mom’s program.
Alvina Annie Funk, 93, of Consort, AB died peacefully on September 27, 2021 at the Consort Long Term Care in Consort. On Wednesday, we were able to see Mom’s original birth certificate and we were surprised to see that it records her name has Elvina with an E rather than Alvina with an A. I am so amazed that the original copy has survived since January of 1929 and has been preserved all though it is a little ragged.
Mom was born on September 19, 1928 in Herbert, SK and was predeceased by her parents David G. Dyck and Katharina (Klassen) Dyck of Herbert, SK; our Dad in 1985, our sister Gail Katherine in 1956 whom Mom and Dad only had for a very short period of time of under 2 years, her grandson Bobbie in 1993 and her brothers Irvin (Sarah); Clarence (Agatha), Alfred (Susan), John (Tina), Verchel, Harold (Marg), Donald (Leonora – see below) and sisters Arlene (Doug Best) and Caroline (Bill Reimer). All of our Dad’s siblings and spouses have also passed away so on the Funk side there isn’t anyone left. For those of you who may not know, 3 of Mom’s brothers married 3 of Dad’s sisters. Mom and Dad had met when our Dad’s mother wanted to buy a horse from Mom’s father and so our story begins. Mom and Dad were married for 35 years and had moved to Consort in the spring of 1950 where they farmed until Dad passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 1985.
Mom is survived by her brother Herb (Nettie); sister in law Leonora, numerous nephews and nieces and us, her children: Carol Giesbrecht (Gary); Doreen Bonham (Bob), Janice Regehr (Gerald), and Glenn Funk (Sarah).
Even though not all are present today, I would like to read out all of her Grandchildren’s names. They are Travis Giesbrecht; Kimberly Giesbrecht, Annielouise Heffer (Craig), Michael Bonham (Karla Hawkins), Linda Harper (Kurtis Robertson), Jennifer Pond-Magnowski (Brooks), Christopher Pond (Crystal), Vickie Pelletier (Marty), Ryan Regehr (Laura), Janine Funk and Dustin Funk.
Her Great Grandchildren’s names are Dyllin Danilak (Cailin Winters); Dawson Danilak (Cassidy Steeves), Lacee Bonham, Keishon Harper, Kiera Harper, Austin Bonham, Annelynn Bonham, Jaymie-Lynn Luscombe (Conor McGill), Travis Luscombe, Alwyne Magnowski, Olesya Magnowski, Logan Pond, Ben Pelletier, Luc Pelletier, Oliver Regehr, Solomon Regehr and Maddox Regehr.
A loving mother and homemaker, Mom loved to cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family especially over the holidays until she was no longer able to do so. These were particularly her homemade perogies with cream sauce and Farmer’s sausage. Mom also worked for a short period of time at the Consort Lodge in the kitchen from 1981 until 1985 when our Dad passed away in July. Mom moved to the Consort Lodge in 2008 where she resided until 2016 when she was moved to the Coronation Long Term Care. Mom moved back to Consort Long Term Care on September 1, 2021 until she passed away on September 27th. For many years leading up to her passing, she collected a large library of romance novels (of which we saw that she was still reading while in Coronation); her favorite potato chips were Sour Cream & Onion with lots of Pepsi of course, her favorite games were Yahtzee and Chinese Checkers of which she had a series of set moves until the board was too full of marbles (I know that Gerald worked very hard on copying her moves until he caught onto them), her passions were crocheting (especially baby blankets and afghans) and flower gardens (her favorite flowers were day and Asiatic lilies, irises, and pansies because she loved their faces), she loved Christmas and watching movies, and it was such a delight to hear her burst out laughing with funny movies especially “National Lampoon Christmas Vacation”.
Through my own personal experience, I have discovered that people seem to set goals for themselves and I believe that Mom had 2 last goals in mind before she passed away. They were to come “home” to Consort and to reach her 93rd birthday. When I saw her in July, that seemed to be all she could talk about that day was her 93rd birthday and I remember her saying that “can you believe it, I’m going to be 93 in 2 months. People ask how come I look so young and I just say – it’s because I smile a lot“! Well, she reached both of those goals. September 1st she was moved home to Consort even though it wasn’t back to the farm and she turned 93 on September 19th. For it was only a matter of days after that that she was called home to her everlasting home. Now she’s back with our Dad and all of her other family members that have gone before her. I have so many fond memories of Mom and these are only a few of them that I’d like to share:
1) There were a few times that when we lived in the old house that Mom had to take care of the mice that seemed to view our home as theirs too. One day (a Saturday as I recall), Mom decided to bring in a cat one morning to get rid of some mice that were inhabiting our kitchen cupboards. Once she had the cat in the kitchen, she opened the cupboard door, a mouse flew out, Mom screamed and scared the cat so much that it ran out of the house instead of doing it’s job!
2) Another time, Mom opened up her dresser drawer to discover that inside the cup of one of her only two bras at the time, that a nest of baby mice were residing there too. Needless to say, the bra was gotten rid of – inside the wood burning cook stove!
3) One of Mom’s favorite things to do was to purchase prepared food from Schwann’s which was later on called Good Life and whenever you opened up one of her huge deep freezes, that would be most of the items in them along with homemade pies. It seemed like she would totally “strip” the driver of his food supplies and she even kept a calendar handy so that she would know when he was expected to arrive.
4) Mom never really did imbibe many alcohol beverages while we were children or even later on in life but there was one time that while she was milking the cows in the evening after a long day of butchering, she passed out sitting on the milk stool with her head propped against the cow’s flank. Glenn and I were running up and down the alley way in the barn and saw Dad carry her back into the house which was no small feat as it was quite a distance. Years later, I was told that she had partaken in a bit too much Applejack wine or maybe it was Applejack brandy.
5) Mom crocheted a lot, especially afghans and I had the privilege of giving two of those afghans to our most recent grandson that was born in June. They are treasures as not too many can still crochet at 93!
6) To me, Mom always had the most beautiful fingers. They were long, slender and the fingernails always seemed perfect. Over the last few days of Mom’s life, I had the privilege of holding those hands and I still marveled at them.
7) But of all my favorite memories that I will always carry, it is this latest one, from her 93rd birthday when pictures were being taken and Sarah said, “Mom, say cheese”. Well Mom certainly did say cheese but really enunciated it and this beautiful moment was caught on camera. We all started laughing and then Mom started laughing and for those few brief moments all was as it should be.
When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure. A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever. Life brings us tears, smiles, and memories. The tears may dry, the smiles may fade, but these memories will last forever. So for me, these memories have been captured to hold dearly onto and I will continue to recall them every time I think of our Mom.

Irene Helen Geduhn “Renie”
Nov. 2, 1942 – Sept. 27, 2021

Ms. Irene (Renie) Helen Geduhn passed away peacefully at the Coronation Hospital on Monday, September 27, 2021 at the age of 78 years. Irene (Renie) was born November 2, 1942 in Rochester, Alberta, the youngest daughter of George Frank Geduhn and Dorothy Ann Wroe-Geduhn. Renie attended school in Violet Grove, Alberta until she was diagnosed with Polio in 1954 and spent roughly three years in the General Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. She then finished her schooling in Sangudo, Alberta. In 1962 Renie joined her uncle Albert and sister Margaret on the Wroe family farm near Hemaruka, Alberta where she resided until her passing.
When uncle Albert passed away in 1976, Margaret and Renie took over the Wroe family farm and made it their own, calling it the XW- Ranch.
Renie loved all aspects of the farm, whether it was staying up all night watching cows calving or in the field baling. She was also a much adored cook and made sure everyone was always well fed. She enjoyed their weekly trips to the Veteran Auction Market. In 2010 Renie and Margaret received the 100 year plaques for having the homestead in the family for 100 years. They received one plaque from the Province of Alberta as well as a plaque from the Special Areas. Renie’s sister Charlotte and brother-in-law Robert and family always made time to come for a visit on the farm. They also enjoyed trips together to various places like some of the Cowboy Poetry gatherings.
Renie will be lovingly remembered by her brother Frank (Susan) Geduhn and their children Heather Geduhn (Mike Grady) and her daughter Melissa Geduhn (Jordie Norman); Karen (Tim) Dobruk and their children Rebecca (Alex) Schneider and Samantha Dobruk; Kim (Ed) Cooper and their children Ashley Cooper (Jonathan Caseley) and Ryley Cooper; sister Charlotte (Robert) Holt and their children Stan (Debbie) Holt and their children Brandan (Caitlin) and daughter Ava Holt; and Jessica (Adam Way) and their children Grayson and Aubree; Marie Holt and her children James (Marianna) and Savannah; Rob Holt (Kim Muise) and his children Bobby (Samantha) Holt and Christina (Luc Martin); Kelly Semple; Arlene (Dave) Harris and their children Danielle (Nick Hazelwood) and Brianne (Dennis) Cyr and daughter Vivian; as well as many dear friends.
Renie was predeceased by her parents George and Dorothy Geduhn; her much loved sister Margaret Geduhn; uncle Albert Wroe; brother Frederick Stanley Geduhn, and nephew Stewart Holt.
A celebration of Renie’s life was held at the St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Clayton Grice officiating. In honor of Renie, memorial donations may be made to STARS or to the Veteran Fire Department. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Raymond John Worobo
Aug. 27, 1944 – Oct, 19, 2021

Raymond John Worobo was born in Provost, Alberta, on August 27, 1944, to his parents Bill and Jean Worobo. After attending Altario School, Raymond began farming, which would become his life’s passion and calling. He married Donna, the love of his life, on April 22, 1967. During their 54 years of marriage, Raymond and Donna were inseparable, and they did everything together; from calving, harvest, and hunting. They raised their two sons, Randy and Rod, on the family farm.
Raymond loved to farm. He dedicated his life to farming, greeting each planting season with stoic optimism and each harvest with the satisfaction of a job well done. He also loved sports, especially hockey and ball. He played fast ball for many years, later coached minor hockey and ball, and most recently relished cheering on his grandchildren at their hockey and ball games. For more than 65 years, he was well known to be the most loyal Montreal Canadien’s fan, and each year he enjoyed bantering with family and friends over predictions of the Stanley Cup winner. An avid deer and pheasant hunter, he formed many long-term friendships with fellow hunters from all over the province and country, and family hunting outings were a bond that united three generations.
Raymond passed away with his wife and sons by his side on October 19, 2021, at Red Deer Regional Health Center at the age of 77 years.
He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Donna; children, Rod and Randy; grandchildren, Matthew and Kylie; as well as relatives and friends.
Raymond was predeceased by his father, William (Bill) Worobo; mother, Jean Worobo; father-in-law, Elmer Landmark; mother-in-law, Betty Landmark; sister-in-law, Greta Rimmer; and brother-in-law, Ken Spence.
A funeral service was held on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Consort Sportex with Pastor Paul McCormick officiating. Private family interment was held at the Lakeroad Cemetery, Consort, Alberta.

Shelly Ann Matheson
December 2, 1957 – October 29, 2021

When Shelly Ann arrived, December 2, 1957, the airbase at Gimli, Manitoba welcomed a new and vivacious soul to its community. Then, as a child she moved to Consort, Alberta. It is here that Shelly would meet and fall in love with her husband, Jim Matheson, of 45 years and 11 months. They married December 6, 1975 in Consort, Alberta. Shelly and Jim moved to a few different Alberta towns as work opportunities arose, prior to setting up their home in Edmonton, Alberta. Shelly was a hard worker and kept busy juggling: being a wife, bringing babies into the world, being a business partner with the cab business, working outside the home, and making time to love on dogs in need. As the years continued, Shelly and Jim have not slowed down, as their business grew to include short and long-haul delivery as well.
Shelly was a dear wife, mother, grandma, business partner, friend, and rescue dog advocate who was taken far too soon after a battle with her health due to cancer. Shelly passed away in Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 63 years of age.
Shelly will be dearly missed by her husband, Jim Matheson; sons, Brad Matheson, Jamie Matheson and Les Matheson; grandsons, Malcolm Matheson and Mackenzie Matheson; brothers, Todd Tainsh and Derek (Shawna) Tainsh; father-in-law, Leroy Matheson; sister-in-law, Kelley Matheson; brother-in-law, Martin (Kay) Matheson; as well as many extended family and friends. Shelly was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Joyce Tainsh, and her mother-in-law, Peggy Matheson.
A Graveside Service to honour and remember Shelly took place on Saturday, November 6, 2021, 11:30 a.m. at Lake Road Cemetery, Consort, Alberta.
If so desired, memorial donations are gratefully received by Hope Lives Here Animal Rescue, 9636-151 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5P 1S4 or info@hopeliveshererescue.com.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.coronationfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements in care of Coronation Funeral Home, Coronation, Alberta.

Fred Schaffer
Dec. 20, 1928 – Oct. 30, 2021

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Fredrich Schaffer. Fred passed away early Saturday, October 30th, 2021.
Fred was born December 20th, 1928, the seventh child to Molly and Fred Schaffer Sr. He had three brothers and three sisters: Edward (died in infancy), Victor (Hilda) Schaffer, Hilda (Irvan) Chamberlin, Alex (Susan) Schaffer, Tillie (Ernest) Harbridge, Pauline (Cecil) Creamer.
On December 5th, 1949 Fred married his life partner Rachel Patricia Hopkinson, better known as Pat. They shared 63 years together, living on the family farm outside Semans, in Lanigan and then they moved back to Semans. After Pat passed away, Fred moved to Strasbourg where he lived until health issues made it impossible for him to live on his own. In February of 2021 Fred moved out to Alberta to be near family.
Fred and Pat had two sons: Robert Frederick, born in 1949 and Brian Delayne, born in 1953.
Fred’s greatest passion was dressing up a team of horses to show. He helped his brother-in-law show percherons in Toronto, Brandon, Manitoba, Regina and in Nokomis. That love of horses got passed down to his son Brian, Brian’s sons Delayne and Kennie and their children: Kianna, Keaton, Kenzie, Ryley and Rayna. They all have horses and enjoy working with them.
Fred also loved old time country music and dancing. He would often attend the jam sessions in Watrous, Strasbourg and surrounding area.
COVID really affected Fred. He had a hard time understanding why he couldn’t visit and get together with family, why he had to wear a mask and why he couldn’t hug his grandchildren.
When Brian went in to visit him the Sunday before he passed, he was saying how his back and shoulders were sore. Brian was teasing him and asked him if he had been pitching hay. Fred replied, “Yeah, lets get at her!”
Fred will be forever missed by his sons Robert of Semans, Saskatchewan and Brian (Marie) of Consort, Alberta; granddaughter Sharla Elgert (Dennis Zwicker) of St. Albert, Alberta; grandsons: Delayne (Amber) Schaffer of Consort, Alberta; Kennie (Tara) Schaffer of Chauvin, Alberta; great grandchildren: Brenden Elgert, Darian (Hannah) Elgert, Linden Elgert, Kianna Schaffer, Keaton Schaffer, Kenzie Schaffer, Ryley Schaffer and Rayna Schaffer; great great grandchildren: Holly Elgert, Ambrose Elgert and Flora Elgert.
A Celebration of Fred’s Life will be held when family and friends can be together again.
Donations in memory of Fred are gratefully accepted to Consort, Alberta Long Term Care or a charity of your choice.

Terry Wells
Nov. 26, 1959 – Nov. 5, 2021

It is with great sadness the family announces the sudden passing of Terry Hector Wayne Wells on November 5, 2021, at the age of 61.
He was predeceased by his parents Layton and Gertrude Wells. Left with fond and loving memories are his daughters Ashley (Gideon) of Bonnyville and Victoria (Alex) of Springdale. Grandchildren; Emily, Ethan, and Elise. Siblings; Peggy (Perry) of Springdale, Trudy (Craig) of Mount Pearl and Larry of Keswick.
Terry was born in Springdale, Newfoundland on November 26, 1959. He grew up in his family home at the west end of Springdale (up the brook) and then moved to Ontario and later to Alberta with his family where he lived and worked in Consort for many years.
He loved his family and was a very proud father of his two girls, Ashley and Victoria and a proud Poppy to his grandchildren. He loved sports, the outdoors and card games on the weekends with friends. He was a dedicated worker who took great pride in what he did.
Forever remembered, forever loved and forever in our hearts.

Stephen James Litvak
May 23, 1950 – Nov. 4, 2021

Stephen James Litvak was born in Three Hills, Alberta on May 23, 1950 to his parents, Steve and Arlene Litvak.
After graduating high school in Stettler, he married Sheila Rouse on April 3, 1971 and continued to develop his skills in carpentry and construction for the following ten years. In August of 1981, they felt it was time for a new challenge and career change. Steve and Sheila moved their family from Calgary to Consort where he partnered with Don Fooks and ESSO to sell bulk fuel and fertilizer. Over the years, he compiled many friends through multiple activities including hunting, fishing, camping, travelling, sports, and volunteering. He transitioned from ESSO and started his own business in the oilfield industry, Consort Bulk Distributors.
Steve continued his outdoor passions including the purchase of a recreational property in what is now known as “The River”. This is where Steve, in all his glory and with the help of family and many friends, carved out a legacy property that will live on for generations in his memory.
Steve passed away peacefully in his favourite chair at home on November 4, 2021 at the age of 71 years.
He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his three children Robert, Jared (Jen), Stephenie (Todd), and nine grandchildren: Nolan, Liam, Keira, Josie, Bailey, Cale, Holly, Bronson, and Samuel. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Maizie) and many relatives and friends. Steve was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Wendy Weis.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to STARS.

Eulogy
By Randy Kulyk
I met Steve on New Years Eve in 1981. We were invited to a potluck dinner at Steve’s brother in law Don Fooks and had the pleasure of meeting Steve and Sheila. Steve and I hit it off immediately; he was so easy to talk to and fun to be around, and our friendship grew over the years. Steve was an awesome carpenter and he helped me work on the first new house that I built in Consort. He gave me a lot of tips on building as he was a journeyman carpenter by trade. We had become great friends and loved to be with each other, working on building, going fishing, golfing at Gooseberry Lake Golf Course, hunting pheasants near Buffalo, deer hunting around Consort and playing hockey. Steve was the first and maybe only hockey player in the Consort area to purchase the hockey equipment that was known as “Cooper-Alls”. This hockey equipment made him look like he was a referee, everything was one piece and he took a lot of ribbing about it, but kept on wearing it for years. Our hockey team started as a recreational league but soon became more competitive as we entered a league with towns in the south. We played in Oyen, Cereal, Youngstown, Hanna, New Brigden and Jenner. I will never forget a playoff game against Jenner and Steve was one of our defenceman. He was chasing one of the Jenner players in the corner of our end of the ice and the Jenner player kept stopping, reversing, and doing the same again and Steve kept following him. Finally, Steve just stopped and said to the other player, “If you want the damn thing that bad, Keep It!” The Jenner player stopped and started to laugh and Steve knocked the puck off his stick and shot it out of our end. That was Steve. He was a good golfer and he beat me most times. One of the only times that I beat him was at a tournament and we were tied with one hole to play. We both hit good shots from the tee box and when we got to our second shot, Steve accidently hit my ball instead of his, he hadn’t checked to see if it was the right one. This meant that he had a stroke penalty and I won the match. That still bothers me to this day. Steve just laughed about it. That was Steve.
Hunting was a passion with Steve. He loved to hunt deer and I think that he went out every day that the deer season was on. He didn’t hunt to get a deer for the freezer, he just loved to be outdoors and watch them. He started a tradition when we went hunting. After it had gotten dark, he would call us on our two way radios and say, “The Silver Willow Bar and Grill is open”. He would pick a spot in the bush and we would all congregate there, guns put away for the day, and Steve would bring out a cooler full of refreshments, cheese, meat and crackers and we would have a drink and a bite to eat to celebrate the day. Didn’t matter if we were successful or not, just a great way to relax and discuss the day. When we did get a deer or two, Steve was not the first one to become involved with the cleaning of it. He seemed to always have something he had to do, a cell call, something work related and usually he was done when the dirty work was completed. That was Steve. I will always remember one year when we had bagged two deer and were taking them to my garage to butcher. Steve had my brother in law’s father in law, who’s name was Leo, riding with him. When we arrived at my garage and started the work, Steve and Leo were no where to be seen. After we had completed our task, they drove up. Leo said later that he wanted to come and help but Steve had parked a block away from my house and said to Leo, “Relax Leo, lets visit for a bit, then we can go over there”. That was Steve. Another tradition that Steve started was the annual “Liver Feast”. This was cleaning liver from deer and moose and cooking it at Steve’s house. He was also a great cook and had the best recipe for cooking liver and onions in cast iron pans on his barbecue. He always borrowed two of my cast iron frying pans to complete this feast and he showed me that if you leave two cast iron pans on the barbeque all night long until 9 the next morning, you don’t have cast iron pans anymore! That was Steve.
The last trip that I enjoyed Steve’s company was the year before the pandemic hit and we went to my son’s cabin at Oak Lake, Manitoba. Steve rode with me and it’s a 9-hour drive from Consort. We talked and talked, and I realized how proud Steve was of all of his grandchildren and his “River Property”. He never stopped talking about the kids, how much they loved the river area and what he and his family had built there. Again, that was Steve. We had a great week catching a lot of walleye and visiting. I’m so thankful that he came with us on that trip. I will always remember Steve and always feel blessed to have been his friend. He made me a very lucky man. We will open the “Silver Willow” for you every year man.

Remembering Poppa
By Bailey Litvak
My Poppa will always be remembered. Remembrance Day was a bit ago, and he may not have been a soldier, but he was strong and brave like one. I miss him, like a lot of people.
His grandkids – Nolan, Liam, Keira, Josie, Cale, Holly, Bronson, Sam and me will always remember him, he is in our hearts.
He was a dad, a poppa, a brother, a friend, a cousin and an uncle.
I am here to say he can no longer say he is proud of me, but I carry his strength in my heart.
The kindest compliment I hope to hear someday is, “Your grandfather would be proud of you.”
Thank you so much for listening.

John Charles “Jack” Gould
May 23, 1945 – Nov. 10, 2021

John Charles (Jack) Gould was born in Edmonton May 23, 1945, to Ken and Joyce Gould. He was the second of their seven children and grew up on the farm south of Consort.
In 1964, Jack and his cousin, Jim Hutchings, attended Lindsay Thurber Composite High School in Red Deer for one year before enrolling at the University of Alberta – first in Agriculture, and then in Education. During University he married Marlene Richardson in 1967 and they returned to Consort in 1968 where he started his career as a teacher. Jack taught in Consort for seven years mainly in Junior and Senior High sciences and physical education and served as the Vice Principal. Jack was fondly remembered by all for his amiable disposition and his willingness to lend any of his students or fellow staff members a helping hand.
Jack left teaching in 1975 to go farming with his dad and uncle. In 1981 he and brother Dave bought Ken’s share of the farm and formed a partnership called J Anchor J Farms that incorporated the farm of Marlene’s parents, George and Grace Richardson.
Jack and Marlene had three children Dale, Denise, and Doug who they raised on the farm south of Consort. After retiring from the farm in 2001, Jack moved to High River and in 2020 moved to a condominium in Calgary near his children.
In his youth, Jack was a star baseball player and after settling back to the farm, spent winters curling. He was involved in the community as member of the Medical Board and the Kinsman Club. Jack and Marlene bought property on Buck Lake where he indulged his love for nature and the outdoors. Jack was an avid fisherman and bird and big game hunter and led hunting trips with friends and family for over 40 years. He enjoyed telling stories over coffee and, in his later years, spending time with his grandchildren at the lake and following their sports and other activities.
Jack was predeceased by wife Marlene and grandson Carter Hayes; his parents Ken and Joyce; his sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Jim Walker; his brother Dave; and his parents-in-law George and Grace Richardson.
Jack is survived by his children and grandchildren: Dale (Barb), Brady (Mikayla Gilbertson), Ashley and Cade Gould; Denise (Trevor), Zack (Nikki Dobell), Morgan, Sam, and Avery Hayes; and Doug (Eliana Agudelo) Gould; his siblings Bill (Judy) Gould, Stewart (Barb) Gould, Janice (Bob) Christie, and Donald Gould, sister-in-law Maureen Hayworth; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral service for the late Jack Gould was held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in the Consort Sportex, Consort, Alberta. Donations in memory of Jack are gratefully accepted to Lakeroad Cemetery or the Alberta Conservation Association. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium are entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Tribute to Dad
By Doug Gould
In 2019, the Prince Albert Raiders won the league Championship and represented the WHL at the Memorial Cup in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This presented a unique opportunity for our family to finally make a pilgrimage to Stewiacke, Nova Scotia. Stewiacke is a town with a special distinction in the Gould family lore as our first home in North America after arriving from Scotland. During that trip, we met Bette Gourley who is something of a keeper of the Gould family legacy. We visited the library at the Canadian Museum of Immigration and with the help of a researcher, we traced our family tree back for seven generations to the town of Sterling, Scotland.
William Gould was born in 1745 and was the first white settler in the town of Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia. William had a son named Matthew and a grandson named Charles. In 1914 Charles and his wife Sadie had a son named Kenneth. When Ken was five, the family migrated westward and in 1919 set up a homestead south of Consort where William’s great, great, great grandsons farm to this day. Ken was our grandfather and married Joyce MacPherson from Metiskow. In 1945 in Edmonton, Alberta, Ken, and Joyce gave birth to John Charles Gould their first son and the second of their seven children. Dad grew up on the farm surrounded by siblings, neighbors, friends, and many cousins from the Gould, Fawcett, Hutchings, and Gilmer families.
Dad attended Consort School through Grade 12, and then he and Jim Hutchings – who were inseparable throughout their lives – attended Lindsay Thurber Composite High School for one year before enrolling at the University of Alberta – first in Agriculture, and then in Education. In his first year, Dad was one of the very first occupants of Lister Hall – the newly built residence buildings at U of A. As life turns, his Grandchild Sam, now walks those same hallways as part of the most newly minted crop of U of A students. Later, he lived with his brother, our Uncle Bill.
During University Dad married our mom, Marlene Richardson in 1967. They returned to Consort in 1968 where they lived at the Gould farm on a little house on the prairie before buying their first house together from Dale Kroeger and moving to town in 1968. Dad taught Junior and Senior High sciences and Phys Ed for seven years and also served as the Vice Principal. He was generous with his time and spent many hours outside of the school with extracurricular activities and coaching various team sports.
As his children, and because of our ages, we never knew Dad as a schoolteacher. It was simply before our time. As we grew, it was confusing when people that we knew of, but didn’t know, would say “Oh, you’re Jack Gould’s kids? He was my teacher.” And would say how highly they thought of him. Although it was always foreign, and they were talking about a man we never knew, it stirred warm feelings of genuine pride.
A similar feeling of confusion, and later pride, came when people would talk about Dad as an outstanding baseball player. Despite his storytelling ‘gift’, it would be years before we ever heard anything about it from his own mouth. Instead, this part of his life was revealed in small pieces that didn’t seem to fit together – like a one-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. There was his first basemen glove with the Carl Yastrzemski inscription that lived in the top of the hallway closet. Although I had never seen him wear it, I knew it was his. Then, there was the one baseball trophy on display among his dozens of curling trophies. It stood out because it was different, but also seemed more important. As we got older there were confusing tales from people that we didn’t know. You might be having a beer in the bar in Compeer or in Castor bar and a stranger would ask – are you Jack Gould’s son? What followed were stories of his hitting prowess. As a youngster, Dad had played for the Stettler juvenile team and even played games at John Ducey Park in Edmonton. In addition to playing first base, he was both a pitcher and feared batter. I like to think of him being somewhere between Babe Ruth, Jack Gould, Shohei Ohtani. A little over three weeks ago, on my last trip home to visit him, we sat up until 3:30 a.m. and he was recounting stories of the baseball days among other things. If I knew it would be the last time, I would have listened a little more closely, taken notes, or even recorded him. He talked about an invitation to a camp somewhere in the Northeastern United States. It seemed too far from Consort to chase that dream and he didn’t attend. If anyone knows more details, we would love to hear about it during the luncheon following the interment. While his competitive baseball days had ended years earlier, the unequivocal end of his ball career was at the Consort sports grounds circa 1979 when he tore his Achilles tendon rounding second base on Canada Day. Dad wore a hip cast for 6 weeks then knee for 4 weeks that summer and hung up his cleats.
In 1981 Dad and his brother Dave formed a partnership called J Anchor J Farms that included the farm of Mom’s parents, George and Grace Richardson. For the next 20 years, Dad dedicated his life to that farm and to providing for our family. Dad, and that farm, provided us with everything we could ever want – a roof over our heads, food on the table, presents under the tree. But most importantly, he provided us the education and opportunities that we used to build our own lives.
Because of the demands of the farm and feedlot, we often didn’t see much of Dad during that time but he still left beautiful memories of otherwise ordinary events – from fencing, to silaging, to chasing cattle. Dad, Dave, Uncle Donald, David Smawley, George Spencer, Cam Hayden and other friends and neighbors worked long hours year in and year out. Covering the silage pits with Rick and Greg Kelts or combining with his cousin Charl these were some of Dad’s best years. Sometimes he loved the work, like during calving seasons, but other times, the work just needed to be done – and he did it, dutifully and without complaint. Dad also found time for fun interspersed with the work. Whether it was going to bull sales in Calgary with Grampa George or curling with friends like Randy Kulyk, Ken Williams, Michael Wiese.
There were also events that you could count on year in and year out….Traveling to Edmonton with Dale Rumohr to watch Edmonton Eskimo games; celebrating NYE with Doug and Joan Hadwin; or watching the Grey Cup with Ernie and Sandy Higgins and Ronnie and Evie Webb. We learned at a young age not to walk in front of Ernie while the game was on and not to ride Webb’s skidoo too close to the house or it would interfere with the reception.
Despite the demands of the farm and feedlot, we took a family vacation every summer. They started in a tent trailer, then the state-of-the-art Boler trailer, before upgrading to a motorhome that Grampa George bought. While there were a few outliers, the trips almost always involved camping and fishing. Mom and Dad’s favorite was the Beaver Glen campground at Waskesiu, but we also visited Uncle Stewart and Auntie Barb and Uncle Bob and Auntie Janice at Weyakwin. I could be corrected, but Bob and Stewart got Dad up on a pair of water skis for the first time in his life at 40 years old.
Perhaps a prerequisite for his years as a teacher, or maybe as a result, but Dad had the patience of a Saint. One year, each of us three kids got fishing rods and reels for our summer birthdays. We promptly headed to Waskisu to spend days trying to see who would catch the biggest jackfish that mom would fry up for supper. Denise stretched back and put her whole heart into that very first cast. The spoon splashed into the water, followed by the leader, the line, her rod and reel. We spent the next few hours trying to drag the bottom of the lake with the biggest treble hooks in the tackle box to see if we could recover her birthday present to no avail. We didn’t catch any fish that day, but he loved to tell that story.
Outdoors and hunting: Dad’s appreciation for the outdoors, nature, wildlife was a huge part of his life. He made friends far and wide that would come out to hunt ducks, geese, or deer. Sometime around the early 80’s Dad started setting his sights on bigger game and started chasing Moose and Elk all over the province. Many of his best times and best memories were made on those trips. He spent some of his happiest days hunting. From old friends like Earl Rumohr to his first grandson Brady and now his youngest grandson Cade. From one-timers to father and sons these have become multi-generational trips. Ernie Higgins, Brad Degenstein, Jaret and Colton Dulc, Trevor and Brendon Fawcett, his son Dale, and son in law Trevor. And of course, Bernie and Steven Street. Bernie needs a special mention as someone who was there with and for Dad for as long as I can ever remember from hunting, to harvesting to helping – it helped that mom and Arlene were also best friends.
Instead of always chasing nature, in 1995, Mom and Dad decided to buy their own small piece of the outdoors when they bought a parcel of land on Buck Lake. Right up until taking the docks out this past Labor Day, Dad spent some of his happiest times there surrounded by family and close friends Gill and Connie and Leo and Brenda. They had planned to build a cabin there, unfortunately those plans were derailed by mom’s illness.
This was not the only plan derailed by Mom’s illness.
The artist Banksy is attributed with a quotation – they say that you die twice: once when you take your last breath, and once when somebody says your name for the last time. Our Dad is different. The first time Dad died was March 7th, 1998 when we lost mom. I learned a lot about my Dad in the months and years leading up to that day. Through mom’s illness I got to know my dad in a different light and learned so much from him. One of the things that I admired most, was his unwavering commitment to being by mom’s side. Dad lived with me for long periods of time while I was attending University and Mom was in the University Hospital. Each day, Dad would dutifully wake up, shower, and head out the door to spend his day sitting in a hard chair beside a hospital bed listening to machines beep and hum where mom lay dying. I can’t imagine the strength that it took and in many ways, it almost broke him. Dad had struggled with depression and anxiety for much of his adult life, but mom’s death was a watershed moment that sent him into years of darkness.
But our Dad was a fighter and he was a survivor and he never quit. And if I am being honest, I didn’t know that he had it in him. I would have never imagined that he could reinvent himself so positively, so late, after so long. But it’s never too late to do the right thing and it’s never too late to be true to yourself. In his last few years, he was riding his stationary bike 30-60 minutes every day. I mean no offense when I say this, but besides Zack, Denise, Eliana and Barb, I think he was in pretty exclusive company.
Dad loved his seven Grandchildren and watched them grow with pride. He traveled to Coronation to watch Brady’s hockey Provincials and to various venues around Calgary to watch Morgan, Sam, Ashley, Avery, and Cade play hockey, ringette, or lacrosse. With his newfound spirit and energy, he traveled to Winnipeg to watch Zack play hockey and tried his best to keep up to Grandma Rose Hayes when we would go to Rogers Place to watch the Prince Albert Raiders play the Oil Kings. He loved sports and even made a trip out to San Francisco where we attended Giants and A’s games and I couldn’t wait to show him the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe and Sonoma County wine country.
To his lifelong friends, Dad was many things. He was helpful and genuine, and trusting, and kind. And he was funny. He was generous to a fault. I never once knew him to get the better side of a deal, or trade or sale. And it wasn’t that he didn’t know the value of things…it was just that he was a pleaser, and it was more important to him for others to be happy.
But perhaps above all, Dad was a storyteller. Or perhaps more accurately, he was a riddler or a stories teller where there were often more than one story line advancing at the same time. Some people do this by layering different storylines together, but that wasn’t our dad’s style. Dad’s stories need not have anything to do with one another. Nor did they need to have a direction, ending, punchline, or point. I was not blessed with Dad’s patience and have a weird fixation with efficiency and word conservation. I remember catching myself remarking with annoyance – “Dad, if there is a point to what you are saying I would love to hear it”. Even in the moment, I was slightly ashamed of myself because I knew that one day, I would hope against hope that I could endure another of his stories, but this time I would hang on every word and hope that it doesn’t have an ending.
In his last days, we got a call from the hospital that a nurse thought he was confused. Denise and I looked at each other, both wondering the same thing. “It is possible that is a new nurse and he’s just telling a meandering story that doesn’t really make sense?”
Each of our lives are stories with many co-authors. Some chapters we write ourselves. Carefully selecting the characters and the scene and bending the plot to achieve a desired outcome. Other chapters are written for us, by friends, families or even strangers. Still other chapters are imposed upon us even if we wished not to have them in our story. Dad had more than his share of these types of chapters. He knew pain but he was a fighter.
The entire story has yet to be told. Today, and in the coming months, the epilogue for Dad’s story continues to be written. It has been comforting to us all over the past week to hear so many stories about Dad. Some stories are well worn with the storytellers seamlessly handing off different parts to each other. Others filled in details or changed contours of events we thought we knew well. Still others revealed new facets about a man that we thought we knew – Brendon Gould’s sent us a beautiful message about Dad teaching him about topics as diverse as offering business advice or explaining the cosmos. These stories are adding the final pieces of Dad’s puzzle of nearly 28,000 days on earth.
To use a different metaphor: you might imagine Dad’s life as a beautiful quilt like his sisters Janice and Peggy loved to make. The panels of the quilt each capture an event or memorialize a relationship. My job today was to describe only a small handful of the squares on Dad’s quilt but there are many more. And the hundreds of stitches that hold those squares together represent his friends and family and each of you – the people in this community that he loved so dearly. Each of you are stitches in each other’s quilts.
This brings me to a close. And while this may have seemed long, I know that Dad would have it no other way. And I would like to think that if I could just keep telling his story, then maybe it won’t really be the end.

Robert William Worobo
Sept. 2, 1939 – Nov. 12, 2021

Robert William Worobo was born on September 2, 1939 in Provost, Alberta to William and Jean Worobo. He was the oldest in a family of four.
On June 9, 1962 he married Marilyn Balfour. Together, Robert and Marilyn had three children, Cheryl Yvonne, born in 1963, Darcy Robert, born in 1966, and Tanya Lee, born in 1978, completing their family.
On November 12, 2021, with his family by his side, Robert passed away at the Wainwright Health Centre at the age of 82 years.
He will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn; daughter, Cheryl (Allan) Boser; son, Darcy (Sherry) Worobo; and daughter, Tanya (Rod) Schenk; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Boser (Kale); Breanne Worobo (Colin), Kendra Worobo, Delaney Worobo; Meaghan Schenk, Kassidy Schenk (Craig), Colton Schenk, Morgan Schenk, and Kash Schenk.
He is also survived by his sister, Yvonne (Jim) Isaman; brother, Dale Worobo; special nephew, Sheldon Isaman; special niece, Janelle Jones; as well as other numerous relatives and friends.
Robert was predeceased by parents, William and Jean; and brother, Raymond Worobo.
A funeral service for Robert was held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at the Provost Recreation & Cultural Centre at 2:00 p.m., followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Words of Remembrance
Today we are here to celebrate the life of my dad. And after the service we are going to join together and have a drink in his honor. This is not goodbye dad, just see you later.
So, how do we even begin to try and put into words the life of one of the greatest men to walk this earth and the legacy he has left behind. We are beyond proud of what you accomplished in your lifetime. You worked hard, played hard but loved the hardest.
He was a son, a nephew, a brother, a friend, a husband, a father, an uncle, a father-in-law and a grandfather. Our protector. He impacted so many lives and we are so grateful we had you guiding us through life. He was our hero, and someone who was looked up to with admiration and respect. He was someone we all strived to be more like and was a mentor to many. He would share his wisdom with anyone who asked and would sometimes give it whether people wanted to hear it or not.
He grew up on the family farm near Kirriemuir. At a young age when his father Bill was ill, he stepped up and took over the farming operations and all the responsibilities that came with it. Soon farming became his passion and he started growing his cattle herd and buying more land. Farming was his life. He had a real love for the cattle. When Bill passed away, again he did what he had to and became a father figure to his younger siblings and made sure his mother was taken care of. He was joined by his brother Raymond and brother Dale in later years to form what was known as Worobo Farms Ltd. His son Darcy later joined and as the family grew with son-in-laws and grandchildren it became a family affair. The farm was his baby, his pride and joy. He continued to grow the farm by buying more cattle and land, there was never enough. He had a knack for farming and his crops were admired by his neighbours and people for miles around. He enjoyed going to bull sales in the spring and often could even turn these into a good time! Right Dale? Right Corey?
He had a zest for life. He lived life to the fullest. He was always up for a visit and having a good time. In his younger years he enjoyed playing ball, curling, hockey and in later years he even took up downhill skiing with his wife and daughter Tanya. He had many friends that took them on many adventures. There were many trips to Vegas, Phoenix, annual camping trips to Jackfish Lake, and hockey trips to Hawaii and California. The Consort Oldtimers Club made for lots of fun, shenanigans and a lifetime of friendships. There were ski trips with friends to places like Kimberly, Fernie, Whitefish and Banff in the winter months. Robert and Marilyn also took up golfing and many more memories and fun were made, out at Gooseberry Lake on the weekends. His beloved Club Car is still running to this day and got a little upgrade from his grandson Colton with some new rims and tires.
He served on the Special Areas Council from 1990 to 2017, when his health started to deteriorate. Over the 28 years he was a councillor he also served many years on the Special Areas Board and numerous committees. This was something close to his heart and he was proud to serve the people of Special Areas. To quote from a peer, “Robert’s advice and support was so important and so needed when we were dealing with difficult issues. His steady hand and judgement was a large part of our successes. He always had the inside track and had such insight into what the folks of Special Areas were thinking. He never wavered one bit. Make a decision and live with it, good or bad. I admired him so much and considered him a mentor and a friend.” He enjoyed the conventions every year and these were an added bonus and opportunity for him to socialize and have a few rums.
There were also many hunting adventures in November out to Nordegg with his best buddies. What happened in Nordegg, stayed in Nordegg. And there was no shortage of family or friends who would come out to the farm to hunt birds or game every hunting season. In later years he took Darcy and Rod out to Nordegg. The first time they took Rod out, Robert called in a moose and Rod was very much unaware about what was about to transpire. While the moose came in charging, Robert and Darcy were killing themselves laughing while Rod was scared shitless.
Another time Darcy thought it would be a good idea to go out to the bar when they were staying in Nordegg. Darcy and Rod came stumbling in, in the wee hours of the morning. Robert was not impressed. He said, “You pair of assholes! Do you know what time it is? We are supposed to go hunting in 2 hours.” Darcy then replied, “Well it’s not like you haven’t done this before.” Needless to say the hunting trip was over and Robert left for home ahead of them.
When the grandchildren started being born, they became his whole world. The way he looked at them with so much pride and joy could melt your heart. His love and patience was unwavering. There were many family camping trips and adventures to Calaway Park, Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park, Drumheller, Cold Lake, Rocky Mountain House, and of course our annual trip to Jackfish Lake. Even after Dad’s triple bypass surgery and when his health was failing, he still wanted to partake in these adventures to Penticton and Jackfish Lake. He enjoyed going to all the grandchildren’s extracurricular activities and never missed a game. The last couple years when he was unable to attend he always wanted to hear all about their games.
There were many drives with Grandpa around the farm checking crops, the cows, looking for tiger lilies, hunting, or just a drive around the neighborhood. This was a time for him to share his wisdom, life lessons and abundance of knowledge. He taught us that perseverance and hard work pays off. He instilled in us his hard work ethic, honesty and taught us to live with integrity. He taught us to work hard and not half ass it! And to not take any shit from anyone. But most importantly, he taught us FAMILY IS EVERYTHING!
You were a force to be reckoned with. Dr. Hay and the nurses found out what we already knew, that you are one tough man! You fought so hard to stay with us on this earth. We find peace in the fact that you are now with us again, by our side, and with us always. Still taking care of us, just now as our special guardian angel.
Special thanks to the staff at the Wainwright Long Term Care for the excellent care and compassion given to dad. They treated him like one of their own. Dad was also fortunate to have one of his own granddaughters, Kendra, care for him and for that we will be forever grateful.
“And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

Colton:
Grandpas are incredibly special and my Grandpa meant the world to me. A man, in my eyes, that was invincible and unstoppable. Nothing could get in his way. He has been a huge influence in my life, a role model, and has greatly shaped who I am today. I hope to be half the man he was.
He taught me so many valuable skills and I have gained so much knowledge from him. He was always there to support me and pushed me so hard to succeed. He was always so proud of the things I have accomplished and I’ll do my best to keep making him proud.
I always said he was such a handsome guy and I hope I look as good as him one day. I hope I’ve inherited his hair and not my Dad’s!
At a young age he instilled in me his love for farming and hunting. On the farm I went everywhere with him, whenever I could. Whether it was to check cows or just to go for a drive. He taught me everything he knew about wheat farming and cattle. He showed me all the ropes on the farm. Branding was my favorite thing to be a part of. I felt so much responsibility and authority pushing cows up the chute. Cattle made everyday interesting and I picked up a lot of new vocabulary when working cattle with Grandpa and Uncle Dale.
When November came around it was an important time of year, hunting season. He was the best hunting buddy I could have asked for. There were many hunting trips I was on that I was just there for the adventure, and many others where I was able to be the shooter. Grandpa always made a day of hunting interesting. He was so proud of the animals I got.
There’s one hunting trip with Grandpa that sticks out the most. I was 14 years old and we were headed back home. We crested the hill and here are six big bull elk. He stopped the truck and sent me out with a plan, bow, and just arrows to get close to the elk. I was scared shitless. Grandpa wanted me to go up a low spot where the elk wouldn’t see me. I was worried I would run right into the elk so I took the long way around on the hill. The elk saw me right away and I spooked them. Grandpa was so mad at me and I was so disappointed. Later I found out that Grandpa had told his doctor how brave his grandson was because he sent me out towards these elk with just a bow. Grandpa said he should have sent me out with a rifle. He was so proud.
I never forget the days on the farm with my cousins and the golf cart. The Clubcar was Grandpa’s baby. The number one rule was to always make sure it was clean before he was home. As kids we couldn’t keep it out of the mud. He always said, “If you want to play in the mud go get a quad from the shop!” But it was always more fun to play in the mud with the golf cart. I’ll never forget the times when we’d get it stuck.
Grandpa was the first one to teach me how to drive and was the first to let me drive. I could barely see over the wheel. The first truck I was behind the wheel of, was his 2000 Ford F-150. 1 couldn’t believe the day he encouraged me to go through the mud instead of around it. Later on with more experience I moved up to driving his 2011 Ford F-350 Superduty to haul bales when I was 12. After just one day of hauling bales I moved up to permanent bale hauler. Surprisingly, the F-150 still runs somewhat. His Ford F-350 is in much better shape and is now my pride and joy and something I’ll hold on to and cherish forever.
Going to bull sales also created many fond memories between Grandpa and me. I just remember sitting in the stands as still as can be, afraid I would accidentally put a bid on a bull. He taught me how to pick a good bull.
Grandpa was a selfless man. When I was first diagnosed with diabetes the first thing Grandpa said to me was, “I wish it could be me instead”. He was always like that. Whenever something was hurting or something was wrong he wished he could take the pain for you. He was a tough man. A strong man. My Mom always said that us kids were strong because we had Grandpa Worobo’s blood running through our veins.
I appreciate all the memories and adventures I had with Grandpa, there were so many. I appreciate the effort my parents made to make sure we spent so much time at the farm with him and to always visit. My Mom always made sure we saw him as much as possible over the years. I can’t wait to go on more adventures with him by my side, always watching over me. Thanks for all the memories, adventures, skills and knowledge Grandpa. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from you – couldn’t have asked for a better Grandpa. Love you Grandpa. Rest easy till we meet again.
Love Colton

Morgan:
Dear Grandpa,
Thank you for everything that you have done for me Grandpa. You have supported me always, in everything that I have done. I know that no matter what, you will always be proud of me whatever the outcome. Thank you for always coming to all my dance recitals and softball games. I know you will always be with me.
You are the toughest person I know and whenever we were going through something hard mom would always tell us, “Don’t forget, you have Grandpa Worobo’s blood running through your veins.” She would continue with, “He’d say, ‘don’t take no shit from no one’.” You taught me to be tough and I will continue throughout life with these words in my head.
I have learned so many life lessons from you and I know that you will be watching, guiding, and protecting me throughout the rest of my life. I will cherish all the memories we have together including picking tiger lilies in the fields up north, and taking them home to Grandma to display on the table. I’ll be getting a tattoo of tiger lilies to honour your memory. I’ll love you forever and always.
Love, Morgan

Kash:
When I play hockey from now on, I’m going to play like Timber. For anyone who didn’t play hockey with my Grandpa, his nickname was Timber. Whatever was in his path was about to go down. I’m going to be Timber 2.0.
One of my best memories was the last time we took Grandpa to Jackfish Lake. He wanted to drive the golf cart, (keep in mind he hadn’t been driving for awhile) and we couldn’t say no to him. Not that he would have listened anyways. He took off pedal to the metal, down a hill, mowing over a few trees, and whatever was in his path. The rest of us were all just trying to get out of the way.
Another memory I have is when I finally got a pellet gun for Christmas one year and that spring I decided to test it out on Grandpa’s old grain truck. I busted out the side windows and managed to crack the front windshield. The next day, Uncle Dale asked me what happened to the window and I said a bird hit it. Which seemed believable because there just happened to be a dead bird nearby. Little did I know Grandpa or Uncle Dale had found pellets still stuck in the window. To my surprise he was not mad, he said, “You are just lucky we don’t use that truck anymore!” Even Uncle Dale was surprised that Grandpa wasn’t mad.
Thank you Grandpa for giving me a beautiful mom to take care of me. Thank you for teaching me how to farm, hunt, fish and be a better kid. You are one of the good ones Grandpa!
Rest, till we meet again Love Kash

Kaitlyn:
Grandpa, I will forever cherish the wonderful memories that I shared with you throughout the years. You have taught me the true meaning of love and true words of wisdom as well as showing me the meaning of hard work and dedication; whether it was up at 7 a.m. to check cows or in the field late at night.
The most memorable times were sleepovers on the weekends at the farm and waking up to grandma making us a big breakfast before you headed out to the field for a long work day ahead. I will never forget us grandkids waiting patiently for you to head to the field so we could ask grandma for the golf cart key. She told us there was one stipulation, it needed to be parked, keys returned and cleaned before you pulled into the yard.
I remember every time walking into the room and you looking at our ripped jeans with a smile, “I hope you got those jeans 50% off.”
Thank you for your continuous support for the last 22 years. Family was a number one priority and it showed through your warm hugs, contagious smile, and the special bond that you shared with us.
“Grandpa has ears that truly listen, arms that always hold, love that’s never ending and a heart that’s made of gold.”
Forever and always,
Til we meet again
Love, Kaitlyn

Breanne:
I will always remember all of the good times with grandpa, some of them including going bottle picking where us grandkids would run out of the truck and race to see who would get to the bottle first, the endless amounts of sleepovers when we would stay up late to watch America’s Most Wanted, the annual trips to Jackfish in the summer, going on the combine with him and him teaching us how to drive. All the morning coffee dates when he would eat his toast and liver sausage and we would all turn up our noses, and supper time when he would always ask if we liked the dessert because he made it grandma didn’t. He always had a comment about our ripped jeans and being on our phones too much and asking if there was anything good on Facebook because ‘our fingers were going to get sore from all the scrolling’. I’ll love you forever grandpa.

Kendra:
Grandpa, you made my childhood unforgettable. Growing up you taught me the passion you had for hunting. Your words to live by were, “A good hunter only needs one bullet.” The passion you had for farming, and the love/hate relationship you had with cattle. Branding was my favourite time of the year. Being able to run the role of moving the calves up through the chute for years on end, to getting promoted to do the ear tagging was a pretty big deal.
Lastly, the laughs and memories we shared together in long term care. I always looked forward to coming into work knowing I would get to see you. Your smile lit up the room. You would always be giving me the gears about how I don’t work enough and I’m always on “vacation.” I’ve never seen anybody enjoy their sweets like you did. Eating chocolate at 7 in the morning was okay, according to you.
I’ll cherish these memories forever, especially how you would always tell me you loved me before I left for the day.
I’ll love you forever, Kendra

Delaney:
Although you may not be here grandpa , the memories will forever be with me. You supported me with softball, my music, and taught me how to catch my very first fish. I still remember you telling me I’m going places, and Nashville was calling my name. Singing and playing my guitar was always something I enjoyed doing for you.
You never failed to miss one ball game of mine. You were there with a huge smile on your face cheering me on in front and centre of the stands right beside grandma. But most importantly, you taught me (a little girl who had no idea how to reel them in) how to catch my very first fish. You told me it takes patience and to have the right hook. But, I believe, it just takes a special person to teach you.
Love you grandpa forever. Till we meet again.
Delaney

Holly Heath
Aug. 22, 1963 – Nov. 14, 2021

Holly Anne Heath passed away at Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, November 14, 2021 at the age of 58 years.
Holly is survived by: her loving husband, Jack; children, Dyson, Brett (Haley) and Travis; two grandchildren, Blake and Sophie; mother, Karen; siblings, Bill (Mel), Nola (Rick) and Linda (Bert); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Holly is predeceased by: her father, Malcolm; grandmother, Nellie; and Jack’s dad, Norman.
A Private Family Service for Holly was held on Thursday, November 18, 2021 with Pastor John Haycock. If you were unable to attend, you may view the live streaming of the service which is posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Holly’s obituary.
The interment was held at Lloydminster City Cemetery, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on November 18th, 2021.
Donations in memory of Holly may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation.
McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered to the arrangements.
Card of Thanks
The Holly Heath family would like to thank the following: McCaw’s exceptional help with the funeral and getting us through the day; Lloydminster Hospital Emergency, ambulance and 3rd floor doctors and nurses, for their care with Holly’s stay until passing; and for everyone that visited, phoned, sent cards, flowers and food. Your thoughts and prayers went a long way in helping us. Holly touched many hearts.
Thanks to everyone.
Jack, Dyson, Brett, Haley,
Travis, Blake & Sophie

Warren Meers
May 14, 1964 – Nov. 15, 2021

Warren Neil Meers of the Penhold area, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2021 at the age of 57. He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, their daughter, Dawn, their son, Kirk; his mother, Shirley, his step-father, Victor, his sisters Glennys (Jack) and Janice. Warren was predeceased by his father, Gilbert and his sister, Maureen.
Warren was born in Red Deer, Alberta to Gilbert and Shirley Meers.
Warren loved rural country living and spent most of his life in the country. He enjoyed working with livestock, working fields during spring and fall on the family farm.
Warren enjoyed curling, skiing, and dirt biking around with his buddies. Warren graduated from the Innisfail High School in 1984. Warren attended SAIT to obtain the Fourth Class Engineering in Boilers and Pressure. After working for a time, Warren decided to attend Olds College, graduating with an Agricultural Business General Major diploma in June of 1988. Warren married Brenda in 1988. By 1992, there were two children born to the Meers clan.
Warren worked alongside his step-father, Victor, hog farming, then ventured to working for a number of businesses skid steering. In 2003, Warren and Brenda decided to run their own skid steer business, thus Faithworks Construction was formed. In June 2021, Warren made the decision to shut down the business due to his health issue.
The Interment Service at Horn Hill Cemetery was held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. The family had a private funeral service at 2:30 p.m., however, it will be live streamed for the public. Please go to www.firstbaptistrd.ca for the live stream link (on the church website at the top page, click on LIVE).
Condolences can be left for the family at www.reddeerfuneralhome.com

Lyle Jacobsen
July 16, 1953 – Nov. 23, 2021

After a short 68 years of life, Lyle passed away peacefully on November 23rd, 2021, at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta.
Lyle Jacobsen was born July 16, 1953 in Tofield, Alberta. He was the only son of Morley and Marjorie Jacobsen and he was blessed to grow up with two loving sisters, Dixie and Gwen. He leaves behind two sons of his own, Bryan and Mark.
The family would like to thank everyone in Consort and surrounding areas for welcoming us into your community and giving Lyle such heart warming support over the past 46 years.
Lyle’s funeral will be taking place at Evergreen Funeral Home (16102 Fort Road NW, Edmonton) on December 13th at 10 a.m., where he will be reunited with and laid to rest next to his loving family.

George Cameron Johnson
Sept. 21, 1935 – Nov. 22, 2021

George Cameron Johnson passed away at the Devon Long Term Care Centre on November 22, 2021, at the age of 86, after a more than two-decade battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
George was a caring, loving husband, father and grandfather who spent 75 years farming in the Consort, Alberta area.
George came into the world in the middle of the depression on September 21, 1935, in the Consort and Loyalist, Alberta area to parents Torgeir Johnson, a local farmer and mother Mary, a Registered Nurse. Together with George’s older sister Mary Catherine, they farmed an area of land about 6 km north of Loyalist and about 16 km west of Consort. Both Mary Catherine and George attended school in Loyalist until they travelled to Consort to finish high school.
In 1962, George married Doris Butler, a Grade 5 teacher who moved to Consort from Saskatchewan.
They also welcomed son Stacy in 1968 and daughter Andrea in 1972. Eight months after Andrea was born, Doris died of complications from breast cancer.
In 1974, George married Marilyn Kroeger (another teacher) and in 1975 they welcomed daughter Sherri to the family.
If he wasn’t working and running the farm, George served on the local hospital and school boards. He was also a long-time member of the Consort Lions Club, pitching in to help the community wherever he could.
He also sang in the Knox United Church choir and Christmas Eve celebrations — he was the best singer in the family.
George loved sports. If he wasn’t curling, he also played baseball in his younger years. He taught his kids how to skate, play softball or baseball and hockey. The family also cross-country skied making their own tracks in the fields and pastures around the farm and at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park. After one of Marilyn’s school trips to Valley Ski Hill north of Castor in the early ‘80s, downhill skiing was added to the mix. The entire family learned how to ski and soon they went on yearly ski trips to Nakiska, Lake Louise, and Marmot Basin.
Marilyn encouraged George to leave the farm for two weeks every summer in early July for vacation. On numerous occasions, the family travelled to the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario, Victoria and Vancouver, California, Arizona and Mexico.
George was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000, but that didn’t stop him from travelling or enjoying life.
After the kids left home to attend university, George and Marilyn went on cruises and bus trips in Europe, Brazil, Alaska, and the Panama Canal.
After Marilyn retired from teaching in 1999 and as George wound down the farming operations, they spent winters in Mesa, Arizona beginning in 2002 until 2017. It was a place where they could play golf three times a week and enjoy the desert sunshine, and made many long-term friends.
In 2011, they sold the farm and moved to Spruce Grove, Alberta, where they built a house.
George is predeceased by his parents, Torgeir and Mary, first wife Doris and brother-in-law Austin Carpenter.
George is survived by his wife Marilyn, son Stacy (Cathy), daughters Andrea, Sherri (Edwin), brother-in-law Dale Linn (Wendy), Dale’s children Rob and Brian, along with five grandchildren, Megan, Cam, Everett, Nathan, and Matt and by his sister Mary Catherine Carpenter, niece Carolyn (Todd).
At George’s request, a funeral will not be held.
Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta or a charity of your choice.
“Keep singing George and ringing your bells; we are listening.” We love you!

Maureen Schooler
Sept. 26, 1949 – Dec. 2, 2021

Maureen Elaine Schooler beloved wife of Gary Wayne Schooler, mother of Stephen (Tanya) Schooler and Stacey (Lori) Schooler, grandmother of Aeryk, Abigail and Alexis Schooler, sister of Robert (Sherry) Wiltse, Fred (Cheryl) Wiltse entered into rest December 2nd, 2021, at the age of 72 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Art and Helen Wiltse, and brother, Cameron Wiltse. She bravely and courageously fought through COPD for many years. Her strength to fight was inspired by her desire to always have time with family and friends which there was never a shortage of.
Maureen peacefully passed away at the Olds Hospital following a week of special quality time at home with her family. She never used her condition as an excuse to not experience the love of others and always had an open door whether in Consort, Olds, or the campsite.
A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Consort Sportex, with Pastor Darrel Durksen officiating.

Eulogy
By Stephen Schooler
Maureen Elaine Wiltse was born on September 26th, 1949, to Art and Helen Wiltse, at the Consort Hospital. She was the big sister to Rob, Fred and Cam. Maureen was always helping with tending to the boys and at times playing referee. There were times when she was a nurse to the boys and also to her dolls when she had to reapply a doll’s leg that had temporarily been used as a hockey stick. She loved her brothers very much and that love continued on when they had their children and into the next generation. She was always up to date with the happenings in their lives and the milestones along the way. 
Maureen attended most
of her schooling in Consort. Her interests in those days were dancing, CGIT, and hanging with friends. Although she was not a track and field athlete she still holds an unofficial school record, one that I hope will never be attempted or bettered, and that is in the Javelin Catching discipline. 
Maureen moved to Edmonton to attend grade 10 and while there lived with Aunt Dolores and Uncle Bud and got to experience city transit and spend time with her cousins. 
Maureen returned to Consort and started a position in the family IGA grocery store. Shortly after that her boyfriend started training to become a meat cutter, and Gary began his position in the same IGA. 
After dating for almost three years the couple were married on October 6, 1967. 
Additional brothers and sisters were gained through marriage and along with that came more nieces and nephews. She had so much love, pride and joy for all of them. 
Maureen worked for a number of years in the original IGA on main street. To spend more time at home with her boys she started a day home where she hosted and cared for many children. 
Maureen and Gary’s life together took them to many campgrounds, hockey rinks, baseball diamonds and the occasional flights to Mexico and a trip to Portugal
Maureen and Gary welcomed their first son, Stephen in 1971 and then Stacey followed in 1973. 
Mom was selfless in always getting us to our sports and activities, maintaining the calendar so we knew what direction we were going and keeping us and our friends fed. 
When her boys got married she gained two daughters, Tanya and Lori. Her sons were no longer her favourite children.
Aeyrk, Abigail and Alexis were blessed to have a Grandma that was loving, caring, generous and always willing to spend time with them. There were many hours of crafts, puzzles, games and road trips, complete with road sightseeing bingo cards. 
Maureen instilled a firm sense of being involved as a volunteer and working with others to improve the community in which she lived. She gave her time and energy to many things including the Hospital Auxiliary, the Legion, Minor Sports, Kinettes and TOPPS. 
Mom always loved having people stop by. Whether it was here in Consort, in Olds or any of the many campsites. 
Mom had always said that she did not want to have a funeral or memorial. Over conversations with her the last few years we were able to convince her that saying goodbye was not as much about her, as it was a time for all the people who’s lives she touched, to come together and support one another in a life they got to know. With that in mind she decided one last gathering was ok. 
Maureen was a fighter. What made mom a fighter was people. A chance to have one more cocktail with whoever would be stopping by. One more road trip to visit friends. One more family get together. One more trip in the RV. One more reunion with past school mates. One more scooter and bike ride with her grandchildren. One more hour long phone conversation. 
The friends and people that she met while living in Olds frequently mentioned to us how they were inspired by her efforts to do things, get out to church, shopping and camping, despite her challenges, and how she tried to not  let circumstances keep her from getting out or having people in. 
My hope is that Maureen’s life and memory, inspires you to take that one more chance, one more moment, one more decision to forgive, one more opportunity to spend time with the ones in your life, and cherish and value those moments. 

Alexis’ Tribute
I loved my Grandma very much, we were very close.
I miss my Grandma a lot.
Things I will remember: riding scooters and bikes with her. Doing puzzles and colouring.
She taught me to be kind and to love. Sleepovers were my funnest memories.
I’m looking forward to our next sleepover in heaven, it will be amazing!
I love you Grandma!

Tribute
By Janelle Schooler
Hello, my name is Janelle and I am Auntie Maureen‘s niece.
I want to start by thanking all of you for making the effort to be with us to celebrate this wonderful lady. We are grateful to now be able to hold a celebration of life and come together in the community that Auntie Maureen grew up in – Consort, Alberta.
As a child, heading east to the prairies to visit our extended family was always such a huge source of excitement for my brother and me. We were always chomping at the bit to go see Grandma and Grandpa Schooler, the aunts, the uncles, and the cousins.
My brother and I would come spend summer weeks in the wide open spaces of this beautiful area with our extended family. During our time in Consort when we weren’t at the farm, we would spend time with Uncle Gary and Auntie Maureen at their home.
Greeted by Uncle Gary, Auntie Maureen, and their dog Rusty, they would always ensure that they had fun activities lined up for us: Swimming at the outdoor pool, going to the arcade, going to the IDA to check out toys and candy, or Scotty’s Gas Bar for a summer treat. We would be fed fresh garden foods on the sunny back deck of their home. By far my favorite being the fresh raspberries with ‘magic sprinkles’. They would have me close my eyes and they would sprinkle sugar on my fresh raspberries; still to this day one of my fondest memories and still one of my favorite things to eat. I was always so amazed at how delicious the magic sprinkles made the raspberries taste. Going to Uncle Gary and Auntie Maureen‘s always had a touch of magic for us kids and they made sure of it.
Auntie Maureen was very child-oriented and gave us so much love, kindness, and most days patience…. There was definitely a line that you do not cross and even though we had more energy than we were bright, we quickly learned what lines NOT to cross. She helped us as young ones to grow into people who have good morals and who respect their elders. We were given the freedom to roam, be kids, and to explore, but rules must be adhered to and respect and manners were also a must. She would occasionally take us out and about to friends houses to visit. One day my brother misbehaved at her friends house and he got in trouble, this made my brother angry. He decided to start the long journey home walking from Consort to Rocky Mountain House. No patience was needed in this instance, she just laughed at my brothers ridiculous feat that he was attempting to accomplish and coaxed him back to the house.
Auntie Maureen gave us the best gifts that children can get. Whenever we spent time with her she gave us her presence, her attention, love and kindness. She listened to us, she laughed with us, and she empowered us by making us feel so loved and supported by her.
Unknown Author:
I had a wonderful aunt
One who never really
grew old,
Her smile was made of sunshine and her heart was made of solid gold.
As Auntie Maureen’s health began to decline she still kept her wit and her humor.
One thing I’ve struggled with personally during this pandemic, as I’m sure you can all empathize, is lost time with loved ones. I feel very robbed of time with my Auntie Maureen during her last years. Fortunately for us, we live in an age of electronics where we were able to stay connected with each other during a time of lockdowns and social restrictions.
Auntie Maureen kept her sense of humor during her health struggles as recently as last October when she posted on Facebook that she had finally reached her Wonder Years…

• wonders where she parked her car,
• wonders where her glasses are,
• wonders where she left her phone,
• wonders even what day it is.
  She also announced on Facebook one day that she wanted her friends to know that she had entered the ‘snapdragon’ part of her life, part of her is snapped and the rest of her is draggin’.
  I found it astoundingly strong and brave for her to still hold onto that humor while fighting through her COPD.
  She also made it a point to lift others up and tell us that she loved us, encouraged us to live in the present, and to make it beautiful.
  On this day that we have come together to celebrate the life of the special lady who will be missed by many, I know that we will leave here with deep gratitude for Maureen Schooler, and always having a special place in our hearts for such a strong and admirable woman.
  What My Aunt Meant
  To Me
  Aunts have no wands or wings,
  So they work with wisdom, love and things,
  Having taken on this role,
  You loved me right down to my soul.
  You offered kindness
  and greetings with a hug and kiss,
  Each freely out of love, Which I will miss.
  I chose a twinkling star
  in the sky at night
  to say a prayer for you
  to it’s bright light,
  You’re in God’s Heaven now and no longer in pain,
  In my thoughts you’ll
  always remain.
  How lucky I was,
  How blessed I’ve been,
  You were more than my Aunt,
  You were also my friend.
  -Author Unknown
  I love you forever Auntie Maureen and Thank You.

Card of Thanks
Our most sincere thanks goes out to our friends, families and the communities of Consort and Olds for their support in the loss of Maureen, our loved one.
Thank you to: Pastor Darrel & Pat Durksen; Pastors Ed & Melissa Furst – Home Church Olds/Mountainview; Pastor Osi & Nick Lahtinen – Home Church Olds/Mountainview; Olds Hospital & Care Centre Staff; Dr Leoni Kelly; Consort Community Funeral Lunch Committee; and Heartland Funeral Services.
A special thank you to everyone who made memorial donations, sent cards, flowers, food, messages and phone calls. It was so appreciated.
Gary
Stephen & Tanya,
Abigail and Alexis
Stacey & Lori, Aeryk
and our extended family

Patrick Vincent Gorcak “Pat”
July 18, 1946 – Dec. 8, 2021

Patrick Vincent Gorcak was born July 18, 1946 in the old Consort Hospital, to his parents Stephen and Blanche Gorcak. Pat was raised on the farm north of Veteran, Alberta. He attended the Veteran school from Grades 1-12+ (he attended one more year so he could play basketball). While in High School he began refereeing Volleyball and Basketball and continued this for 50 years at Veteran School. His girls always say he showed no favoritism for his own children. Over the years he has coached Volleyball as well as umpired softball and baseball. He also was a goalie for 5 different hockey teams (not all at the same time). These teams ran up and down highway #12 from Coronation Healy Colts, Coronation Royals, Alliance Rockets (the only score there was meeting Sheila), Coronation Old Stock and Consort Old-timers.
Pat was an active member of the Catholic Church serving on church council at St. Patrick’s in Veteran, he maintained both church building and grounds. When St. Patrick’s church closed, he became active at Our Lady of Grace, Castor.
Other community activities include Veteran Village Council, serving as both councillor and Mayor for eighteen years. While on Village Council he served on the East Central Ambulance Association, the East Central 911, and his favorite, the Shirley McClellan Regional Water Commission. He was a School Board trustee from 1977 – 1995, with 3 years as Vice Chairman and 12 years as Chairman of the old Neutral Hills School District with an additional 3 years as Chairman of the new Prairie Land Regional Division after the amalgamation of school divisions in January of 1995. A total of 18 years towards the education of our young people.
Pat is a charter member (1974) of the Veteran and District Lions Club holding several executive positions. He was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship, which is the highest honor a Lions member can receive. In the year 2000 the Lions created Millennium Park on main street, Veteran. Pat maintained the Park until the summer of this year. One of his favorite Lions’ activities was the pancake breakfast at Christmas Capers.
Pat did all of this as well as holding down a full-time job, first as a farmer on ¾ of land west of his dad’s and driving school bus for 9 years, owner/operator of Gorcaks Hardware from 1981 – 1990, and as a Battery Operator for the better part of 30 years. He excelled as a husband, father of 4 and grandpa to 11 wonderful grandkids.
Pat and Sheila enjoyed travelling…they ventured to Eastern Canada 4 times, Hawaii, Jamaica, Las Vegas, attended many curling events, and spent part of 3 winters in Yuma, Arizona. His favorite holiday was always camping with longtime friends Doug and Judy Stannard.
Pat is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Sheila; children: Darren Gorcak (Lindsay), Sharleen Klein (Kevin), Kim MacLeod (Dean) and Dena Hennig (Don); grandchildren: Courtney Gorcak-Praud, Austin Gorcak-Praud, Dakota Gorcak-King, Eythan Klein, Amy Klein, Janelle Klein, Evan Klein, Joel MacLeod, Logan MacLeod, Jonah Hennig, Leah-Mae Hennig; brother Dan (Joy) Gorcak; sisters: Janice (John) Kuefler, Colleen (Bob) Rombough and Margaret (Gerard) Belland; sister-in-law Nancy Bateman (Gerald Price); brother-in-law Bruce Bateman (Irene) as well as numerous other relatives, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Pat is predeceased by his parents Stephen and Blanche Gorcak; infant brother Joseph Gorcak; father-in-law Harold Bateman and mother-in-law Joyce Bateman.
A Private Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. A Private Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021, 1:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Castor, Alberta with Father Roger Niedzielski as celebrant. Due to COVID regulations the service is limited and will be invite only. All are invited to view Pat’s funeral mass via webcast. Please click on the link on the Parkview Funeral Chapel & Crematorium website: www.parkview
funeralchapels.com. The interment will follow at Veteran Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Pat’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.parkviewfuneral chapels.com.
Parkview Funeral Chapels were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Lawrence Grocock
Jan. 17, 1945 – Dec. 15, 2021

Lawrence Robin Grocock was born on January 17, 1945 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was the first child born to Zoe Agnes Cote and Norman Porter. Named after his father, Lawrence lived in Edmonton until he was about two years old, when his father was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was advised to move to the country. The family moved to the Loyalist area and stayed with Tom Grocock, a cousin of Norman Porter Sr. Agnes loved country life and decided to stay in Loyalist as Tom’s housekeeper. Norman Porter Sr. left and it was decided to change Norman Porter Jr’s name, unofficially to Lawrence Robin Grocock. At the memorial service in Consort, Ida learned that Lawrence’s brothers never knew he had, had a different name at birth.
The big pine trees just north of Highway 12 at Loyalist corner is the location where Lawrence was raised. Tom and Agnes were married on August 25, 1951. Lawrence was joined by three brothers, Raymond, Leo and Merlin. Lawrence often told us that he and his brothers carried water to the young pine seedlings almost daily.
Tom Grocock passed away in November of 1959. Lawrence remained on the Grocock farm until he turned 16. Lawrence then left home and went to work for local farmers/ranchers. It was during the early 1960’s that Lawrence started to participate in rodeos. He told us he rode broncs, participated in wild pony races, rode bulls and was a chuck wagon outrider. His rodeo travelling buddies were Roy Mock, Bud and Mac MacArthur, and Ken Guenthner. Myrna MacArthur told Ida that one day in 1964, it was raining in the Consort area, so Bud, Mac, Roy, and Lawrence decided to go to a rodeo at Bonnyville. Lawrence won the Molson’s Brahma Bull riding trophy, on a bull called Peach Fuzz. Years later, Roy Mock gave Ida the picture of Lawrence riding the bull and Myrna MacArthur gave her the picture of Lawrence holding the trophy and the actual trophy. If you look closely at the picture you can see a cigarette in his mouth, while he was riding the bull. Maybe that’s why he won? All four men won money at that rodeo, and the local cowboys were really upset that these out of towners had won. Charlotte Gilmer told Ida that Lawrence travelled with the Tommy Dorchester chuck wagon outfit, driving the big liner full of horses. Lawrence also told Ida that he had been an outrider at a big chuck wagon event in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but he never said who he rode for there, although probably Tom Dorchester, and others.
Lawrence also worked for Bill McLean, a distant relative of Ida’s. I’m sure they did some pretty crazy things from the stories I’ve heard. Lawrence was a hard worker and didn’t need much to survive on. Bill McLean once said that he could work all day on a few celery sticks and a can of soup.
One might wonder how Lawrence met Ida, because of their age difference and location. They met because of Ida’s oldest sister, Marty, who was working at the Consort Hospital. By this time Lawrence had started working for Schlumberger in Provost. When Marty moved back to Lloydminster, Lawrence transferred to Lloydminster Schlumberger. Lawrence teased Ida relentlessly by calling her “Punk Kid”, but that all changed when they started to date.
Next, Lawrence moved to Schlumberger in Whitecourt, where he lived, and worked for 10 years. Lawrence won numerous safety awards and was even sent to Texas to drive a brand new truck back.
In 1973 Lawrence asked Ida to marry him, but he was afraid to tell Ida’s parents, so they drifted apart. Early in 1976 Lawrence married Betty, so she could adopt her niece Loretta, whose family had all been killed in a car crash when she was just a baby. While it seemed like a good reason to marry, it was not enough and they divorced in the 80’s.
Lawrence returned to the Lloydminster area and started dating Ida again, but he eventually returned to the Consort area. After a while Lawrence settled down and worked as a truck driver for Day’s Sand and Gravel, at the same time he was working for Jack Sumner.
The love story didn’t end there, as Lawrence and Ida started dating again. Then on December 22, 1991 they got engaged. It was a short engagement as Ida’s brothers told her she had to get married after calving and before seeding began. A wedding was planned for April 18th, 1992 in Lloydminster at the Grace United Church.
Before the wedding Agnes came to Ida with Lawrence’s birth certificate, which showed that his registered name was Norman Porter. This was a complete surprise to Ida and Lawrence, as Lawrence never knew his registered birth name was different. Ida was working in Edmonton for the Government of Alberta and was able to officially have his name changed to Lawrence Robin Grocock before the wedding.
The newlyweds purchased an acreage 2 ½ miles South of Veteran. Lawrence continued to work in the area as a grader operator/farm labourer for Carter Stickel, and later as a farm labourer for Lee Lindsay.
Lawrence loved dogs and when he moved to the acreage, Jack and Francis Sumner’s little dog, Tiny, was heartbroken. She lay around and wouldn’t eat. This being the case, Tiny was given to the Grocock family. The Grocock’s had several rescue dogs over the years. One in particular was a hard case. Nigel, better known as Nudgy or Pudgy as the children called him, came from Edmonton and had been abused by a man. When Ida brought Pudgy home, she wasn’t sure how it would work out as Pudgy hated men. The first week was challenging according to Lawrence, but by the second week Pudgy was sitting on Lawrence’s lap when he was driving. Another time, a badger came up to the house and had one of the dogs cornered, Lawrence rushed out in his underwear, grabbed a shovel and saved the dog.
Christmas 1993 was one to remember, as Ida was 9 months pregnant and suffering from a nasty head cold. Lawrence said he would look after cooking Christmas dinner, in Kitscoty. The stuffing was green with sage, but the rest of the meal was fine.
On January 14, 1994 Robin Lee Grocock was born in Lloydminster, SK. Lawrence was thrilled. He spent hours on the floor playing a horse for Robin to ride. When Robin was still very small, not sure if he was even two, Lawrence had him outside helping to change a tire on his truck.
The apple of Lawrence’s eye, Roberta Jan Grocock was born on October 4th, 1995. Lawrence had always wanted a girl, maybe because he had no sisters and no aunts. Roberta always maintained a close bond with her father, even after he got sick.
Lawrence hated to be in debt, but Ida finally convinced him that they should buy Little Gap Septic Service. Lawrence loved being his own boss, running and fixing the truck and visiting with people. He worked very hard running the truck and it worked well with Robin and Roberta. He could get them up and ready for school and if Ida was working at the Consort Hospital, he could be home when they got off the bus. Robin and Roberta remember going with Lawrence, and how nice people were to them. Like, Alvin Bissell, who asked if they would like a ride in the wagon behind the mini ponies. Or Mary Pennington, who gave them a coloring book and crayons. There were many others, who offered to put a movie on for them to watch, or gave them snacks to eat. Everyone was always so considerate and kind.
Lawrence and Ida’s growing cow herd had to have a place to be fed in the winter and they needed to have enough feed. Mel Healy’s corrals were rented and feed was obtained from the ditches along Highway 12 and 884. Robin and Roberta remember riding on the Ford 9N and getting on and off or riding their bikes to pick up bottles and cans. Then there was Ida driving the big Little Gap truck with a bale hauler on behind to pick up the big round bales. Lawrence would load them with the tractor, but Ida was not used to driving a standard, and would stall out often or start so jerkily that bales fell off.
Roberta remembers the unusual names Lawrence gave the cattle. We had a set of twins, one was brown, the other white. Their names were Chocolate and Milkshake. We also had a big red and white cow with a bad temper. She was called Red 48 or Crazy 48. You always had someone watching your back if you were around her or dealing with her calves. Bill McLean always called Ida’s mother Red, as she had red hair and a temper. I wonder if that’s where Lawrence got the name from!
In the winter Robin and Roberta would ride their toboggan behind the tractor when Lawrence was hauling bales to the cows. This was great fun, until you fell off, as Lawrence never looked back. You had to run to catch up or wait for him to come back around. Our acreage had a long driveway, which was cleaned with the Ford 9N tractor, leaving high banks. Robin and Roberta built snow forts in the banks, which they shared with the cats for shelter. Dad knew how to make things fun in the winter!!
In 2001, the ¼ section of Mel Healy’s with the corrals was purchased. 2002 was the first year they could grow feed. Lawrence purchased and fixed up some old equipment and planted the crop. It was coming up well and they were expecting a good crop. Overnight the grasshoppers moved in and their field looked like summer fallow.
2003 was another crop year and again the planting was done. The crop came up beautifully and they were expecting a bumper crop. Then on July 20, 2003 Lawrence got sick after an aneurysm burst in the back of his brain. Lawrence beat the odds and survived the aneurysm and the 9 hours of surgery that followed two weeks later. The bumper crop was harvested by the people of Veteran and Consort, while Lawrence remained in the hospital for many months. Later, a benefit was put on to help the family. Ida was extremely thankful that they lived in a small, caring community. After recovering as much as possible, Lawrence was in several care facilities over the next 18 ½ years. He lived in Coronation, Red Deer, Vermilion, Wainwright, and finally Lloydminster.
Lawrence’s family is grateful that Lawrence got to see his children grow up, graduate from High School, and finish their college education. Robin is a Red Seal Welder and still works in his trade. Roberta is an Interior Designer. Roberta is currently working at an independent senior housing facility, where she provides recreation and emotional support for the residents. Lawrence also got to hold his first grandchild, as Ryker was born on October 30, 2018.
In late November of 2021, Lawrence’s health began to deteriorate. Lawrence passed away in his sleep on December 15, 2021 in the Lloydminster Hospital at the age of 76.
As a final tribute, Robin had Lawrence’s cowboy hat cleaned and reshaped. Roberta demonstrated her love by using her time and talents to paint the old 1850 Cockshutt tractor on her Dad’s urn.
Lawrence leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 29 years, Ida; Son, Robin and his fiancée, Dawn Sharp, and grandson Ryker; Daughter, Roberta and her fiancé, Jamie Whelan, and numerous furry grandchildren.
Thank You
The family would like to thank: Joel McCaw and staff, for all their help making the arrangements; the Doctors and Nurses at Lloydminster Hospital; Barbara Zimmerman for officiating at the Memorial service; Patti Barber for preparing and serving an excellent lunch; all those that sent cards. Special thanks: to the Staff at Dr. Cooke Extended Care, where Lawrence lived for so many years; Pat and Charlotte Gilmer for the music and the Special Music “Daddy’s Hands”; and all those who took the time to attend the Memorial Service, your support was greatly appreciated. In lieu of thank you cards a donation is being made to the SPCA.

Alvina Scheible
Oct. 20, 1920 – Dec. 16, 2021

Mrs. Alvina Scheible, of Calgary, passed away peacefully at the age of 101 years on December 16, 2021, at the Brentwood Care Centre with her family by her side.
She will be lovingly remembered by her four daughters: Bernice (Gordon) Schetzsle of Consort, Carol (Rod) McCuaig of Spruce Grove, Donna (Don) Staten and Janice (Dale) Shield of Calgary. In addition to her daughters, she will be forever in the hearts of her eleven grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and twenty great-great-grandchildren. Alvina was the last remaining sibling of nine brothers and sisters. She was predeceased by her husband, Willie in September 2006; her great-grandson, Jacob Simpson; her grandsons, Darren Scheible and Allen Schetzsle; and her great-granddaughter, Julene White.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to The Calgary Food Bank or The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary.
A Private Family Service was held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery on Monday, December 20, 2021. To express condolences and share memories, please visit: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca.

Eulogy of Alvina Christine Fischer-Scheible
Alvina Scheible entered into eternal rest December 16, 2021 at the age of 101 with her daughters, Bernice, Carol, Donna and Janice, and their spouses at her side. Her earthly life’s journey peacefully came to a close.
Born to Oswald and Christine Fischer in Consort, Alberta on October 20th 1920, she never once imagined that she would be that last surviving member of her 9 siblings in the Fischer family. She was very close to her sisters and a little bit of her “spark” dimmed when she lost her sister Emelia in 2007 and Alice in 2014. They used to talk for hours on the phone, catching up on all her nieces and nephews, and all the latest family news. Three of the girls evidently came to share the same lodging facility in Calgary over 15 years ago after Alvina’s husband of 56 years, William Scheible passed away.
Grandma met and married Grandpa Willie, back in 1939. We are grateful for the many, many happy memories and laughs we share when looking back at all the photos of their milestone Anniversaries and birthday celebrations that their daughters planned. Grandma was proud to tell us that no one she knew except the Queen had been married as long as she and Grandpa; just 2 months shy of 68 years. Grandma was sure it was 69 years they had been married, and who are we to argue with her math.
Together Willie and Alvina made their living farming and raising their 4 daughters. Growing up as children Bernice, Carol, Donna and Janice recall their mom was extremely hard working; milking twelve cows, morning and night, as part of her daily routine and tending to her large garden as well as being the best cook in the world. We can all marvel at the fact that she did all this on a farm with no modern facilities like indoor plumbing, electricity, telephone (other than the good old party line) or any of the luxuries we all enjoy today. But she was always able to put fabulous meals on the table, kept a spotless home, milk cows and do all their laundry in an old wringer washer, then hang it all on the line outside to dry or freeze depending on the weather. Then she would even iron their clothes with irons that had to be heated on the old coal/wood stove. In her “spare time” she was able to bake award winning buns, bread, cakes, cookies, goodies and the works.
Alvina’s daughters recall during harvest, she was at her busiest putting three huge meals on the table every day – and delivering lemonade and pie to wherever the farmers were working in the field.
Hunting season was another memorable time for the Scheible household, but maybe not such a treasured memory as Grandma remembers it. The goose hunters would bunk in for a few days, and of course Grandma was once again busy in the kitchen, and would butcher and clean chickens (sometimes as many as 50) for the hunters to take back to Calgary. The hunters’ reviews favored Grandma for her gourmet meals, a floor that you could eat off of, and to show their appreciation, would often leave Grandma a one hundred dollar tip under the plate after a meal.
It’s not a wonder Grandma embraced city life when she and Grandpa made the move to the city in 1968 where they lived on the hill close to Big Grandma and her siblings. I guess that would make Grandma 53 years old so more than half her life, she was a city girl. Her garden may have shrunk a bit in size, but she had the most beautiful apple trees, which turned out the best apple pie and ice cream ever imaginable.
Grandma still kept busy and worked with her sister readying apartments and she told me they went through many vacuum cleaners. No wonder she knew the brand of a good vacuum if you asked her. She also worked at Eatons just down the hill from her home to occupy her time.
I’m sure every one of us younger grandchildren have also entrenched in our memory, 131, Marlborough Way where she hosted many gatherings for Christmas, Thanksgiving and her generous home cooked meals, which usually consisted of the best roast beef, potatoes and gravy and coleslaw. Even if she did have to poke her finger into the food she served, for which Jason recalls her finally being scolded by Don. Whether returning from dancing, skiing, hockey or just popping in for a quick visit, Grandma always managed to whip up a snack or lunch or pull something out of the fridge for us. Always the consummate house cleaner, Grandma kept a spotless house. No speck of dust or popcorn, escaped the sharp and trained eye of Alvina. I am told she even had to pick broken chandelier glass out of food after Grandpa had an explosion with the wine cork one Christmas and hit the chandeliers, leaving glass to fall all over Grandma’s display of food. Even she had a good chuckle over that. She was such an efficient host that even as the last fork of food was lifted from your plate, dessert was already delivered. I recall as a young girl, when my dad stayed at Grandmas while he apprenticed at SAIT that he often came home looking a bit like Santa more and more and it wasn’t because of his grey hair back then.
Grandma also had a competitive side. She loved to win at games if she HAD to play; no card game was over until she came out on top. And THEN it was time to go. Especially memorable was the Horse Race game they played at Fred and Emelia’s usually every Saturday night. Speaking of winning, “The only thing Grandma ever “won” in her lifetime other than many -a- card game, was a great big Texas mickey of whiskey. Not such a fitting prize for one who was more of a teetotaler. But she quickly filled it with pennies when it was emptied so she had lots of change for games of Happy and the Horse Races.
When able, Grandma never missed a day of church and took great pleasure in the choir performances and luncheons afterward, being sure to compliment the ladies on their latest fashions. Of course many compliments were reciprocated for her youthfulness and her ever-classy and fashionable wardrobe, for which she usually replied, “oh that old thing”. She was an extremely sharp dresser and could not be seen with a hair out of place or in her old slacks. She would be absolutely honored that Elma, an organist from the Lutheran church she raved about, was playing the organ at her service today.
Grandma’s most joyous adventures were gathering with her 4 daughters and their spouses at the Jasper Park Lodge for a weekend getaway, which became their favorite destination as often as they were able. These were the moments that filled her heart.
When frequent mall shopping gradually became more difficult, she filled her days watching “The Edge of Night”, “All My Children” and “Another World” starring her favorite, Victor Neumann. And of course, the “Royal Family” in Cambridge was her second family. She was thrilled to have the queen send her birthday wishes acknowledging her 100th birthday. She enjoyed her Consort Enterprise and the Canadian Living Magazine until the decline of her vision.
We all know how thrilled she was with “Surprise Visits” almost as much as she embraced a windy day! But she sure loved her VANILLA ice cream! We soon learned after many “lodge” birthdays that she did NOT like chocolate cake, but if you showed up with KFC you might receive a more favorable welcome.
When you have outlived all your family to be 101 and its time to go home, I wonder what words of wisdom Grandma would impart to all of us. Not being one to give advice or have strong opinions about politics, or all that occupies our minds these days, her response was simply, “Oh I don’t know. One can assume though it’s that Family is everything. Keep them close!
She may not have lived to see the seven wonders of the world in her 101 years, or climbed Mount Everest, but she had 4 beautiful daughters that filled her with all the joy and pride she ever needed or wanted, who went on to bring her 11 grandchildren (which by the way if you were paying attention, is as many siblings as she had in her very first home). Imagine the bathroom on those mornings!!!! And we thought the Schetzsle household of five girls and two boys with one bathroom was a feat!
Her family quickly grew to 27 great grandchildren and even 20 great-great grandbabies. And that was plenty. There’s only a few square inches of dresser space in her room that can hold all those pictures. Grandma adored them all as we often came with our cell phones poised bursting with photos of each new addition to share with her when we visited her in the lodge. Grandma loved to hear how everyone was doing and what they were up to. Just recently, during a visit from Jeff, Grandma still recalled the joyous moment of her and Carol bounding up and down in the kitchen when Jeff announced the arrival of their baby girl, Jenelle. She was 79 when Carol’s first great granddaughter was born and a young 38 when her first grandson, Allen was born. That’s a lot of years of being “great”! to all those grandkids.
Alvina had a heart of gold and most recently, her true inner worries and fears came to surface and she scolded herself for behaving inappropriately if she offended someone. She truly missed not being able to talk on the phone with Bernice, Carol and Donna to help fill her days and put a smile on her face, and was especially appreciative of Janice and Dale’s efforts to ensure she lived with dignity and comfort during the last few months.
To everyone here, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Remember and honor her in your own stories that you will share with your own children and she will be with us always.
Rest peacefully Grandma, Mom, Auntie, Great-Grandma, Great Great Grandma and thank you for the years of memories we hold in our hearts today. We are truly blessed for having you in our lives.
Predeceased by:
Spouse: William Scheible
Parents: Oswald & Christine Fisher
Siblings: Albert, Gertie, Emelia, Alice, Eleanor, Wilf, Edmond and Ester
Grandchildren: Darren Scheible, Allen Schetzsle
Great Grandchildren: Julene White, Jacob Simpson
Great Great Granddaughter: Chloe Schetzsle
She is survived by:
Daughters: Bernice (Gordon) Schetzsle, Carol (Rod) McCuaig, Donna (Don) Staten, Janice (Dale) Shield
Grandchildren: Charlene White, Cindy Por, Brenda Kroeger, Patty Schetzsle, Jody Simpson, Tammy McDiarmid, Jeff McCuaig, Brad McCuaig, Jason McCuaig
Great Grandchildren: Jason, Scott and Chelsey, Danielle and Amarie, Barry, Shane and Chris, Daryl, Brad and Rick, Chad Brandon and Tia, Trevor and Ethan, Merrick & Lauren, Janelle, Tenielle, Megan, Skylar, Jorden and Tanner, Brandon, Taylor, and Stephanie
Great Great Granchildren: Charlise, Neely and Justin, Elliott, Lennix, Sadie and Braylee, Kennedy, Natalie, Hudson, Kaesyn, Brinley, Lochlen and Maizy, Axle, Tiffany and Max, Niyah, Carsyn, and Allie.

Gladys Radefeldt (Houcher)
Dec. 20, 1935 – Dec. 27, 2021

“Say not in grief that he is no more but live in thankfulness that he was.”
– Hebrew Proverb
Although sadness is the first thing that comes to mind when death occurs, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the beauty of a life well-lived and for which we were blessed to share. Our Sister, Mom, Gramma Glady, Grams, and of greatest note, Great Ma, passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2021, after 86 years of a beautiful life.
Gladys was born on December 20, 1935, the second child of Frank and Alberta (Galloway) Houcher. She was raised on the farm north of the Neutral Hills in the Little Gap School District with her four sisters and two brothers. She worked outside with her dad and finished school in the 8th grade. Her first job off the farm was at the Consort Telephone office with her sister Joyce. She then rather fatefully, went to work at the Radefeldt farm as a caregiver to Lena. This is where she met Fritz. Gladys and Fritz were married on March 5, 1954, and to this union three children were born: Elaine (Radefeldt) Devine, Louise (Radefeldt) Wagstaff, and Zane.
Farmlife was a challenge, but Gladys was a polished and proficient homemaker, and never did a complaint cross her lips. Not only did she and Fritz raise their three children in a loving home, but Gladys also tended a large garden, washed clothes in a wringer washer, looked after the men as they worked the land, drove the swather, tended the milk cow and chickens, helped in the raising of her grandkids, and was extended the great joy of being able to, on occasion, babysit a great grandkid. It appears there was almost nothing on the home front she couldn’t do. She was an accomplished seamstress, cake decorator, baker, and cook. Many would be able to attest to this as she was an assistant leader in the Consort 4-H Sewing Club for 25 years, altered many a dress, baked and decorated wedding cakes, and cooked many meals.
Gramma Glady was a natural teacher, calm, and patient, understanding and steady. She spent an abundance of time teaching anyone who wanted to learn how to sew, crochet, embroider, quilt, can and preserve food, make butter, bake, make a mouse out of a hanky, even drive a stick, or shoot pool. She was also the conservator of our family’s history. You can stack onto all these things that she also had a great sense of humor.
In November of 1990, she lost Fritz to cancer. Until 2012 she remained on the family farm. At this time, she was ready for a change and moved into an apartment at the Consort Lodge. She so enjoyed the lodge and being able to have coffee dates (she maybe even broke a rule for the first time in her life during COVID to do this, but only one time), bake and cook tasty treats, and enjoy all that the lodge has to offer; meals, music, and fellowship.
Gladys will be lovingly remembered by her children Elaine Devine, Louise (Lloyd) Wagstaff, and Zane Radefeldt; grandchildren: Rachel (Joe) Robinson, Erica (Shane) Laye, Kenton Wagstaff, Katrina Wagstaff (Brendon Grovet), Emma (Eric) Resch, Beckie Radefeldt and Dean Radefeldt; great grandchildren: Lorence and Stephen Robinson, Abigail Laye and Connor Resch; sisters Florrie and Hilda; brother Wayne (Lois); sister-in-law Lynn Houcher and their families.
“May Happiness be always thine, no stormy days, but all Sunshine”

• From Gladys’
  Autograph Book
  Those wishing to pay their respects may do so by leaving a message for Gladys’ family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
  Funeral services will be held in the spring/summer of 2022.
  Parkview Funeral Chapels of Coronation, Alberta were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.

Ed Young
Sept. 29, 1931-Dec. 24, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of George Edward “Red” Young on December 24, 2021, at 90 years of age, after complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. Ed was an incredible man, known far and wide for his kind and gentle nature, his athletic prowess, his natural musical abilities, his quick wit, his penchant for chatting and his great love for family.
Ed was born in Loverna, Saskatchewan, on September 29, 1931, to James and Patricia Young. He grew up on the family farm near Compeer, Alberta, where he spent happy years helping with chores and everyday life on the farm and attending the one room schoolhouse with his brothers Jim, David, and Alan, and his sister, Bobbie. Ed attended Camrose Lutheran College for two years before returning to Compeer to begin grain and cattle farming. In 1957, he married Irene Shantz and together they raised four daughters: April, Alyson, Tammy, and Dawn.
Ed spent winters following his passion for hockey, playing and/or coaching on many Alberta and Saskatchewan teams including High Prairie, Alix, Drumheller, Kindersley, Leader, Lacombe, Rosetown, Luseland, Macklin and Consort, as well as for teams who ‘picked him up’ to strengthen their rosters for playoffs or provincials. A career highlight was playing with the storied Lacombe Rockets and winning the Western Canadian Championships in 1961 with teammates such as Clare Drake, Doug Messier, and Johnny Young. Ed was a smart center-man with ‘good hands’ who collected several ‘most gentlemanly’ player awards along the way. Another of his fond memories was jumping off the combine one fall to attend a try-out in Saskatoon for the Detroit Redwings, where he was one of the last cuts at that camp and was on the ice with Gordie Howe. Many tournaments over the years allowed for travel all across Canada from Nanaimo, BC, to Bathurst, NS. Ed spent a particularly notable amount of time in Kindersley, both as a player and a coach. In November 2018, the Klippers recognized these many years of dedication when they retired his #10 jersey into the Klipper Hall of Fame. Ed truly loved the game, gave his all every shift and reveled in the camaraderie, remarking once that some of his best hockey memories were in the dressing room after the game. It’s hard to believe this incredible career all started when he learned to skate on the tiny patch of ice created by his mom throwing the daily wash water out the door.
Ed’s athletic abilities weren’t limited to hockey. He was also a talented baseball catcher and an avid runner. Ed was well-known for his daily jogs on the roads around his farm and was famous for his ‘birthday runs’—a seven mile run from the farm to nearby Altario that he did on his birthday every year for decades. He did his last such run on the day he turned 80.
Ed shared this athleticism with his community. Patient, knowledgeable, and dedicated, Ed was a phenomenal coach. Many lucky youngsters attended his hockey schools in the towns surrounding Compeer and numerous others, old and young, benefitted when he coached their hockey teams. Ed was also a respected teacher in coaching clinics, working them alongside Terry Simpson and Dave King. Ed left an indelible mark on the fastball field, too, coaching a local girls’ team for 11 years. He led them to three, provincial championships and won an Alberta Minor Coach of the Year award. The ball girls have so many happy memories of laughter-filled, three-hour practices and road trips in the blue van, all guided by an always-smiling Coach Ed.
Coming from a musical family, Ed was a gifted musician. He played guitar, piano and harmonica by ear and had a beautiful, singing voice. In his younger years, Ed played in a band, and throughout his life, he led many epic singalongs around the kitchen table.
All that knew Ed fondly remember his love of a good visit. He never met a stranger and took great pleasure stopping in for a coffee with folks wherever and whenever he could. He had a wonderful sense of humour and made people chuckle with his quirky, dry, one liners. He found the world so interesting, starting each day reading the newspaper and doing the crossword. Ed loved to travel, making frequent sojourns around Western Canada, and taking trips farther away to the Maritimes, into the US, and to the Philippines. He particularly treasured a part of the Philippines trip where he stopped in China and visited the family of Wing and Wong, his good friends who moved to Compeer from China to open their restaurant. Three trips to Europe were also favourites. The first, with April, Stan, and fellow Kindersley hockey friends, saw him tour and play hockey in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. The second and third were trips to Hungary to visit Dawn and included a tour of the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. He also enjoyed going regularly to Edmonton to use his season tickets to watch the Oilers. He spoke often of his wonderful memories from those days, including being in attendance when they won their Stanley Cups at home.
For all the accomplishments that Ed realized, the one he was most proud of was his family. He was happiest when they came home to pack the house for holidays and visits. His joy upon seeing his kids and grandkids was always so evident in his enthusiastic hello and his beaming smile. He cherished each person and spent many hours at sporting venues proudly watching them do what they loved.
Ed’s final years were difficult ones as he waged a courageous battle against Alzheimer’s disease. With characteristic strength, Ed fought to keep his spirit shining through until the end, still sharing a funny line or an “I love you, too” with his family, no matter how hard it was to communicate.
Ed is lovingly remembered by his daughters: April (Stan) of Salvador, SK, Alyson of Airdrie, AB, Tammy (Gary) of Okotoks, AB, and Dawn (Tyler) of Warman, SK, his brother Alan (Thelma) of Vulcan, AB, and his sister Bobbie (Harold) of Sherwood Park, AB. Ed is also mourned by the grandchildren he adored: Ryan (Jen) of Edmonton, AB, Lane of Salvador, SK, Lauren (BJ) of Billings, Montana, Robyn (JP) of Ottawa, Ontario, Brad (Alex) of High River, AB, Cami (Shane) and Cara (Kelsey) of Lloydminster, AB, and Sawyer and Sutton of Warman, SK, and his great-grandchildren Halle, Reid, Harper and Sage of Lloydminster, AB. Ed was predeceased by his parents, James and Pat, his brothers, Jimmy and David, his baby sister, Laurel, and his sisters-in-law, Margaret and Elaine.
In appreciation of the health care workers at the care homes and hospital who provided such amazing care for Ed, and their selfless sacrifices during the pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safer to gather and pay tribute to our beloved dad, Baba, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Although we miss him so very much already, we are comforted knowing Ed is free to be Ed again, running the back roads of Heaven and winning face-offs in the big hockey rink in the sky. They say that legends never die and that is surely true for Ed will always live on in the hearts of us all.