April 10, 2014

By Obituaries on April 10, 2014.

.1922 ~ SEEFRIED ~ 2014
Elsie Seefried of Swift Current, beloved wife of the late Henry Seefried, passed away on April 5th, 2014. The Funeral Service was held yesterday at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel. Memorial gifts in Elsie’s memory may be made to Prairie Pioneer Lodge in Swift Current. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Elsie Seefried. Funeral arrangements entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park”, locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

.1931 ~ HARRITY ~ 2014
Sara “Sally” Harrity of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Harold “Harry” Harrity, passed away on Sunday, April 6th, 2014 at the age of 82 years. Sally leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Donald “Ted” (Christy Gustavison) Harrity and Robert Harrity; three daughters, Colleen (Ronald) Bruce, Joanne (Bill) Bradbury, and Lynn (Curt) Lester; eight grandchildren, Craig, Andrew (Darby), Stephen, Sara (Russell), Emily (Peter), Megan (Roy), Alison (Nathan), and Catriona; three great-grandchildren, Hayden, Avery and James; one brother, Don (Nora) Stewart; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, Harry, Sally was predeceased by her parents, Wilfrid and Jessie Stewart; one grandson, Nicholas; one brother, Frank; and one sister, Ruth. Sally was born in Saskatoon near the end of summer holidays, just in time for the family to get back to Manitoba and Granddad to take up his post as Principal of Rivers School. As a girl she delivered newspapers all over town, and to the airbase, a hive of activity during the war years. Summers were spent camping at Clear Lake and Star Lake, and car trips all over Western Canada and the USA. She went off to the U of M and earned a BSc with honours, unusual for the time. After graduating, Sally worked in a textile lab in Drummondville, PQ, but returned to Rivers for her holidays. A young paratrooper named Harry Harrity arrived as one of the instructors at the Canadian Parachute Training Centre after the war. Romance bloomed and they married in 1952. Their lives were busy ever after, with children arriving and the frequent moves of a military life. Travel was a constant theme on weekends and holidays, whether in Canada or while stationed in Europe. We lost Dad many years ago, but Mom carried on, nurturing and inspiring children and grandchildren, visiting and travelling with them, sharing adventures, her curiosity, her love of life and her gentle spirit. Love you.
A Celebration of Sally’s Life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts in Sally’s memory may be made to the Military Families Fund, http://www.militaryfamiliesfund.ca or to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, #124, 430 – 6th Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Sally Harrity. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park”, locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

.OTTO ROBERT SCHMUNK

November 13, 1927 – April 8, 2014

Otto passed away peacefully on April 8, 2014, at the age of 86 years with his family at his side. Along with Theresa, his beloved wife of 62 years, left to cherish Otto’s memory are their five children: Pat (Donna), Terry (Alicia), Brian, Robert (Sheila-Rae) and Mary Lou as well as their seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Anna Schmunk; brother, Dave; sisters, Mary, Mollie, Pauline, Lynn, Esther and Irene as well as one grandson, Danny. Otto was born on November 13, 1927, on a farm South of Leader, Saskatchewan. He was the youngest of his siblings. He married the love of his life on November 19, 1951, in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. Otto farmed in Leader where they raised their family. In 1967, the family moved to Medicine Hat. He enjoyed visiting the family farm in his later years. Otto had many hobbies such as fishing, goose hunting, playing cards, camping and most importantly, his family. Quoted from Otto, “I have been blessed with many things. Firstly, my wonderful wife who has stood by me for 62 years and guided me. We have been blessed with some of the finest of family and friends. I thank you all, you have been extra good to Theresa and myself. Life would not be complete without our wonderful grandchildren. I love you all.” Vigil Prayers will be recited at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 238 – 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church on Friday, April 11, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. with the Very Reverend Father Long Vu celebrant. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow immediately thereafter in the Parish Hall with Private Interment to take place at a later date. Family wish to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Wong, the nurses and staff at Masterpiece Living and the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for the wonderful care that Otto received. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com) If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Otto may be made directly to the charity of one’s choice. Honoured to serve the family is COOK SOOUTHLAND Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone: 403-527-6455.

.STURGESS
Ida “Irene” Ruth Sturgess passed away on Monday, April 7, 2014, at the age of 83 years, beloved wife of Robert W. Sturgess. She also leaves to cherish her memory one brother, Earl (Barbara) Knodel of Medicine Hat; her brother-in-law Tom Sturgess and family of Medicine Hat; her nephew Brian (Cecily) Knodel of Seven Persons; her great nephew and niece, Kyle and Madeleine Knodel. She was predeceased by her parents, Martha and Valentine Knodel; sister-in-law Dorothy Carson and her brother-in-law Fred Sturgess. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Friday, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Maury McNeil officiating. A private interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. We would like to thank the nurses and staff of Riverview Care Centre for the excellent care they gave to Irene. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the S.P.C.A. – 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8E8 or to the Alzheimer Society 401D 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0G8. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Irene Sturgess, or you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence. Funeral Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

.SYDNEY ROSELEIGH ELLIS

Sydney Roseleigh Ellis was born on December 27th, 1995 in Calgary, Alberta. Sydney spent her childhood and young adulthood between Cochrane, Alberta, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and at our beloved ranch in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Sydney has been surrounded by love and guidance with cherished friends scattered around the globe. In 1997, Sydney first started to travel the world perched upon her mother’s back. Together, they wandered through Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal and Sri Lanka. At the age of 4, Sydney spent two months with her parents traveling extensively throughout Thailand.
In Sydney’s young adult life, she had developed a beautiful set of wings and wandered through Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Italy and Spain. She had plans of more travel through Australia and New Zealand with her friends.
Although she possessed this beautiful set of wings, Sydney was grounded by 120 years of roots nurtured by six generations of her ranching family. Sydney loved the ranch and was best known by friends, families and cowboys as “the horse whisperer”. Her love of horses was born at the age of one when she sat upon her first horse. At the age of three, she would run like the wind into the field to stand amidst the herd. At the age of ten, she would be seen riding amidst a growing herd and would be often called upon to gather cattle with working cowboys. By the age of eighteen, Sydney had accumulated five horses. Her greatest gifts were within her gentle communication, her firm but loving hands and a knowledge of horses influenced by her spiritual instincts, the cowboys surrounding her and her beloved coaches. Sydney raised two beautiful warm blood horses from babies to beautiful equestrian jumpers, virtually singlehandedly. In the Saskatchewan Pony and Equestrian Club, Sydney became Junior Jumper of the Year and won a prestigious award called the True Grit award. She was cherished by her friends and adoptive families of the Equestrian world both in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Her tragic death is difficult to reconcile by all who knew and loved her. She was an incredibly, beautiful woman but her true beauty resided deep within her heart and unbridled spirit. She deeply loved her family, friends and the beautiful ranch, which nurtured her soul.
Her passing has left her family and friends fractured with grief and disbelief. However, we know that we must rise in strength and embrace the incredible light and memories of her laughter and honor her bold, beautiful and unbridled spirit.
Sydney leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Tami Ellis; her father, Dave Jonker; her brother, Eidan Ellis-Jonker; her sister, Lindsay Ellis (Dallas Monk) and their son, Morleigh Monk; her grandfather, Doug Ellis; her grandparents, Bert and Anne Jonker; her uncles and aunts, Wade (Ann) Ellis and their children, Ethan Hudec and Madden Ellis, Sommer Ellis and her children, Tryton and Taytem Stelter, Mark (Joylaine) Jonker and their children, Zachery, Hanna and Katie, Randy (Nichole) Jonker and their children, Kiya and Hailey; her extended Ellis Family and Jonker Family; and her special friends, Tobi Hudec and Wally Reisinger.
Sydney was predeceased by her grandmother, Bonnie Leigh Ellis; her great uncle, Terry Ellis; her cousin, Jesse Ellis; and her great-grandparents, Rose and Graham Ellis.
The Funeral Service will be held at HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 1451 Strachan Road SE, on Friday, April 11th, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. with Gary W. Goran officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family has decided to create a Scholarship Foundation to honor Sydney’s incredible gifts with horses at the University of Saskatchewan school of Veterinary Medicine and Equine Studies. Cheques can be made payable to “Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel in Trust”.
Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Sydney Ellis. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park”, locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

.THERESE AKKE HARRIS

September 8, 1955 ~ April 5, 2014

Therese (Carol) Akke Harris, passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Saturday, April 5th, 2014, with family by her side. She was predeceased by her father, Elias Tjeerd Vanderzee. Left to cherish her memory is her beloved partner, John Schlepp; her Mother, Rita Josephine Vanderzee; her children, Steven, Jesse, Mary, Michael (Amanda), Nichole, Becky (Kevin) and Tyler (Erin); 17 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; siblings, Michael, Mary, Mark and Robert as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Therese was born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 8, 1955. She attended Catholic school, learned her family’s antique business and later attended a vocational school where she learned how to decorate cakes; thus becoming a cake decorator for Tim Hortons. Once moving with her family to Alberta, Therese trained to become a Dog Groomer through the Alberta Dog Groomers Association and bought a pet store in Calgary, Alberta. This was truly Therese’s passion. Not only did she groom, she also raised and sold show dogs. Throughout her career she won various competitions; one of which she placed 2nd for grooming. Therese enjoyed camping, the outdoors, going to garage sales, rodeos and chuck wagon races, but was best known for her love of animals… animals of any kind! Therese and John created their own zoo, where friends and family enjoyed visiting. Therese was very social, easy to get along with and had many friends. In the last stages of her illness, Therese’s friends were extremely supportive and giving and the family extends a very special thank you to Gaye Corbin for caring for Therese. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street SW, Medicine Hat on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again at 9:00 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., Thursday, April 10, 2014. The Celebration of Therese’s life will begin at 10:00 a.m., at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dr. Shane Andrus officiating. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to dress casually in jeans and western wear. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Therese may be made to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 102 Crestwood Square One, 1865 Dunmore Road S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1Z8. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455.

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