May 25, 2017

By Obituaries on May 25, 2017.

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1930 ~ AEMILIA “EMILY” ANHELHER ~ 2017

Emily Anhelher of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late John Anhelher, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the age of 86 years. Emily leaves to cherish her memory her children, David (Susan) Huddlestone of Ottawa, Ontario and Darlene (Gerry) DePape of Red Deer; six grandchildren, Steven (Lissa) Huddlestone, Stuart Huddlestone, Simon Huddlestone, Katherine (Platin) Qosaj, Tyler DePape and Chelsea DePape; four great grandchildren, Ronnie Bell, Mason Qosaj, Carter Qosaj and Weston Qosaj; one brother, Leo Volk; two sisters, Rose (Italo) Pisoni and Julie (Peter) Schafer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Emily was predeceased by her husband, John; her parents, Anton and Elizabeth Volk; one sister-in-law, Cathy Volk; and one niece, Leona Volk.
My mother was born in Prelate, Saskatchewan on December 12, 1930, the oldest of 4 children. She grew up on a farm north of Fox Valley, Saskatchewan during the Great Depression and through WW2. When she started school, she spoke only German – the school registered her as Emily, a name she had for the rest of her life. She taught her parents to speak English.
At 18 years of age, she hitched a ride with a family friend to Medicine Hat, Alberta and got a job at MedAlta Potteries, which only lasted a short while because she found it too dusty. She met Leonard Huddlestone at a dance at the Moose Hall and were married in 1952. Leonard found work in Lethbridge, so they moved there and I was born at the Galt Hospital. They relocated to Calgary where my sister was born in 1955.
On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1955, Leonard unexpectedly abandoned Mom. In Spring of 1956, Mom and her 2 children accepted the offer to live with Leonard’s mother, my “Grannie,” on 5th Street on the Flats, in Medicine Hat.
Mom found work in the kitchen of the Medicine Hat Hospital and later as a Ward Clerk on the 5th floor until she retired in 1983.
She met John Anhelher at a dance in the early 1960’s, became friends and later married him in 1975. John passed away in 1997.
Mom outlived 2 husbands, but she didn’t outlive her kids. Darlene and I are the result of a woman determined to make the best of circumstances, who valued and enjoyed family time and who engaged in many passions. She loved to garden. She was a regular church-goer and in later years, sang in the choir and greeted parishioners at the entrance. She loved camping, fishing, and especially her time in the Rocky Mountains. She loved to bake and definitely knew the value of a dollar!
We will remember our Mom as a practical person who was never without an opinion.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, on Friday from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, on Friday, May 26th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 1451 Strachan Road SE, on Saturday, May 27th, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Philip Le, Celebrant. Memorial gifts in Emily’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5, or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Medicine Hat & District Branch, 102, 73 – 7th Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1J2. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Emily Anhelher. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park” #1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5 (403)528-2599 http://www.saamis.com inquiry@saamis.com Locally owned and directed CGR Holdings Ltd.

IRVIN LESLIE HICKS

1947 ~ 2017
Mr. Irvin Hicks, beloved husband of 43 years to Mrs. Donna Hicks, passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Monday, May 22, 2017, at the age of 69 years. Along with Donna, left to cherish Irvin’s memory are 5 children, Tammy (Terry), Terri, Jason, Laura (Graham) and Irvie (Cheryl); 18 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Hazel and brother, Vanny. Irvin was predeceased by a son, Leslie; great-granddaughter, Aubree Hicks; parents, Florence and George as well as a brother, Vernon. A Celebration of Irvin’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, May 26, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

SALOMEA ‘SALLY’ BERNATH

August 8, 1935 ~ May 11, 2017

It is with heavy hearts that we, the family of Salomea ‘Sally’ Bernath, beloved wife of the late Steve Bernath, announce her peaceful passing at the Sunnyview Nursing Home in Medicine Hat on Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the age of 81 years. Sally was born on August 8, 1935, in Krasna, Bessarabia, Romania to proud parents, Valeria and Joseph Speicher. She married Steve Bernath on October 30, 1954 in Magrath, Alberta and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1964. Sally was a very loving and kind hearted wife and mother. She always had a smile and an open door policy for the neighbours and friends. Sally was generous and hardworking and loved gardening, knitting, crocheting, camping and dancing. Her first love was to help people understand the Bible and know God’s name is Jehovah. Her wholesome association with family and friends and her ministry was where she loved to volunteer her time and energy. It was noted most recently at the Good Sam’s while her memory was tested, she remembered that Jehovah was her friend and pointed upward towards the heavens. The family would like to thank the staff at both the Sunnyview Nursing Home and the Good Samaritans for the love and care of their mother. Remembered in the hearts of Sally’s family are her five children; Helen (Allan) Illson, Larry (Betty Ann) Bernath, Monica (Edward) Smith, Stephan Bernath, Andrew (Benita) Bernath; step-son, Steve (Yvonne) Bernath; eleven grand children, step-grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; sisters, Lydia Weiterer, Rose Dewart, Anne Cisar, Erika Thomas; sister-in-law, Rita Speicher, as well as other extended family. Sally was predeceased by her husband, Steve; parents, Valeria andâ€ˆJoseph Speicher and brothers, Peter and Ed Speicher. The Celebration of Sally’s Life will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 62 Valleyview Drive SW, Medicine Hat, on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery. If friends so desire memorial donations in Sally’s name may be made directly to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Canada, Box 4100, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 4Y4 or to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta, #210, 770 – 6 Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4J6. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

SHANIA KENDEE KEATS

1996 ~ 2017
It is with heavy hearts that family announce the unexpected passing of Shania Keats in Medicine Hat on Friday, May 19, 2017, at the age of 21 years. Shania’s memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of her parents, Steve and Dee Keats; sisters, Stephanie and Tyra; grandparents, Louise (Wayne) Kaldestad and Tom Collinge as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Wilma Collinge and grandfather, Ken Keats. Shania was born in Medicine Hat on March 4, 1996. She started her schooling in Redcliff, eventually graduating from Eagle Butte High School and later furthered her studies receiving her diploma in Office Administration. She enjoyed her position at Boston Pizza and will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched. A Celebration of Shania’s life will be held at the Dream Centre Church, 1714 Saamis Drive N.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, May 26, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Heather Cyr officiating. Private Interment will follow at the Redcliff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shania’s name may be made directly to the Dream Centre Church – School Hot Lunch Program, 1714 Saamis Drive N.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1C 1W7. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

ZABLOCKI

Ronald Gerald Zablocki, “Zab” to many and “Gigi” to his granddaughters, passed away quietly with family by his side at the age of 78 years, on Tuesday May 23, 2017 in Calgary. Ron was born on July 12, 1938 in Calgary, to Stephen and Ann Zablocki.

He will be forever missed by his family: Joyce, his wife of 55 years, his children Peter and Tracey, Jennifer and Neil and their daughters Edie, Nuala and Agnes. His brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Natalie and their children Shauna (Seann) and Chris (Reece), and great nephew and niece, Logan and Alyssa; his cousins, Rosemary, Bob and Nadia, Andy and Cec.

Ron gave his heart and soul to everyone he met and to everything he did. His love for life and the people he met always shone. He dedicated his time to his family and friends, to the students, teachers and staff at all the schools he worked at. He loved musical theatre, performing and serving for many years on the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre board. He volunteered for many hockey organizations, including the Hockey Hounds and as President of the AJHL, he was the organizer of summer games, President of Kiwanis, President of the Redcliff Golf Course, co-founder of Rattlers Football Club, and the list goes on and on. His huge heart and resounding laughter touched many people over the years. His only regret was that he did not have more time with those he loved so dearly.

Laugh loudly, play sports and sing show tunes. It’s what Ron did.

The funeral service will be held at the PATTISON CHAPEL on Saturday May 27, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Medicine Hat Musical Theatre 1221 10th Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1G3. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Ron Zablocki, 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