December 20, 2022
By Obituaries on December 20, 2022.
STEPHEN BJARNASON
STEPHEN BJARNASON 1960 ~ 2022
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Stephen Bjarnason announce his unexpected passing in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the age of 62 years. A Celebration of Stephen’s life will be held at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, 476 – 4th Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Pollard officiating. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at
http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
http://www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”
FRIEDA THILLMANN
1930 ~ FRIEDA THILLMANN ~ 2022 Frieda Thillmann, Beloved Wife of the late Emil Thillmann, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, December 15, 2022, after celebrating her 92nd birthday at Riverview Care Centre on Monday. Frieda leaves to cherish her memory; her daughter, Marlene (Ken) Biemans; her grandchildren, Curtis Biemans, Alexander (Melissa) Biemans; and great grandchildren, Lucille and Miles Biemans. She is also survived by brother, Albert and sister, Helga, living in Germany along with numerous nephews and nieces, and in-laws. Frieda was also predeceased by her son, Erroll; her granddaughter, Christina Biemans; and brother, Erwin. Frieda was born December 12, 1930 in the village of Brienne, Bessarabia where she grew up on her parents farm until the effects of WW2 forced Frieda and family to flee their home for the relative safety of Germany. They settled in West Germany. It was then that she met the dashing and soon to become the love of her life Emil Thillmann. They married in 1952 and quickly embarked on the greatest adventure of their lives together by immigrating to Canada to seek out the wonderful opportunities so much dreamed about. With parents’- in-law in tow, they all found work in the Lethbridge area working on farms for a few years. In 1957 it became possible to purchase farmland of their very own near Seven Persons. It was there they would build up a grain and cattle farm for the next 40 years or so, something that Frieda and Emil derived great satisfaction and pleasure from. They made many friends in their farming community, a great many more friends through St Peter’s Church and the German Harmony Club. Mom and Dad enjoyed dancing and it showed as they were fabulous dancers. Frieda was well regarded as being the quintessential hostess. She was always ready with a pot of coffee, home baked wares or wonderful meals. Even though she was not that tall, she had a very affirmative way about her in getting things done. She also had the enviable touch of allowing Emil to be his charming chivalrous self while still being true to her own strength of character. Frieda was a committed servant of God and spent much of her time striving to understand, reflect and find comfort in the words of the testaments. A little slip of paper that was found recently at her care home had in her handwriting “Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal” tells a lot of her faith in Jesus. It cannot be adequately put in words the gratitude Frieda’s family feels for the outstanding care, support and friendship offered by the staff at Riverview Care Centre. She was there as a caregiver when Emil lived out his days there, and now as a resident until her passing. The staff are the true heroes for Frieda as they go way above and beyond, especially in light of the heavy burden put to them during the recent years by Covid. Thank you so much to the team of doctors for your kindness and care. The Funeral Service will be held at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5, on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 at 1:30 pm with Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Private Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Frieda’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society, 201, 770 6th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4J6 or S.P.C.A., 55 Southview Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8. Condolences may be sent through
http://www.saamis.com or to
condolences@saamis.com subject heading Frieda Thillmann. Funeral arrangements are entrusted
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.
JOANNE EDWARDS
JOANNE EDWARDS 1939 ~ 2022 It is with heavy hearts that the family of Juanita ‘Joanne’ Edwards announce her passing at Sunnyside Nursing Home in Medicine Hat on Friday, December 16, 2022, at the age of 83 years. Joanne is survived by her two sons and five grandchildren: Tyrone (Susan) and their children Mason and Maddy; Chris (Michelle) and their children Devon, Maddy and Jake. She was predeceased by her parents, Juanita and Aubrey McKinley as well as her brother, Lawson McKinley. Joanne loved spending time with her grandchildren and visiting with friends. She fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s and never once complained. In honouring Joanne’s request, her life will be silently remembered. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting
http://www.cooksouthland.com) Those who wish to remember Joanne may do so through a gift to the Medicine Hat and District Health Foundation at 666 – 5 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6. Honoured to serve the family is
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455
http://www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”
DAVID BRANDRITH
DAVIDBRANDRITH 1957~ 2022
DavidBrandrith passed away on December 13, 2022 at the age of 65 years,beloved husband of Kim Robinson of Medicine Hat. He also leaves tocherish his memory two children, Chelsea Brandrith and StevenBrandrith; three siblings, his sister Sherry (Kent) Lukinuk and theirchildren Kathryn (and family) and Diana (Adam); his twin brotherPaul Brandrith and his sister Jean Lofthouse and her family; hisparents-in-law Tom and Carole Robinson, sister-in-law Kathy Brown(Randal) and brother-in-law Chris Robinson (Nicole) and theirfamilies. He was predeceased his parents Ron and Dorothy Brandrith. David was born on January 10, 1957 in Vancouver B.C. As a familythey lived in Tsawwassen, B.C. for five years before moving toSherwood Park, Alberta. David grew up surrounded by many friendswho he is still in contact with to date. He enjoyed hunting with hisfather and brother and being surrounded around the family petsPoncho, Riley and Nicky (cat). David played football at SalisburyComposite High School. He was a expert at skiing and later pursuedhis passion by becoming an active member of the Edmonton area SkiPatrol for three years. In later years, they tried to vacation yearlyto the mountains to ski. After taking up vocational welding, Davidturned his ambitions towards police work, attending the LawEnforcement Program at Grant McEwan College. Later he would sit asCommittee Head of the Gun Club, a representative on the AdvisoryBoard, as well as chairing the Curriculum Guide Committee. In 1979,Dave was hired by the Barrhead Police Department where he alsovolunteered as a local fire fighter and with the ambulance service. It was during this time he would meet his wife, Kim Robinson. They moved to Medicine Hat where Dave served the city as a police officerfor 34 years. David wore many hats during his career with theMedicine Hat Police Service. He became a part of the K-9 Unit withhis PS dog “Ruger” and joined the TACT Team firstly as a frontentry and then as a sniper. He also moved on in other areas becominga detective until retiring as a Staff Sergeant. He was proud of themembers of each crew that he led and was very proud to be on theforce. David was a loving husband, father, friend, mentor and atrue leader. He was loved and admired by many who knew and workedwith him. His big smile was his calling card and became something hewas known for. He will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate tohave known him.
David’s Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2023. Those who wish to remember David with a donation, may do so to the Alzheimer’s Society, Canadian Red Cross or the Canadian Ski Patrol. To leave a message of condolence you may visit
http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
DON WALDBAUER
DON WALDBAUER 1943 – 2022 It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Donald “Don” R. Waldbauer of Medicine Hat, on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the age of 79 years. He is survived by his sisters, Rose Marie Hammel and Doreen (Bob) Froelich; nieces, Dr. Jennifer Froelich (Craig Berry), Dr. Christine Froelich (Stu McCallion) and Stephanie (Dennis) Pajo and their families; Don’s companion Judy Kungel and her family. He was predeceased by his parents Adolf and Hertha Waldbauer, an infant brother Edward and his brother-in-law Joe Hammel. Don was born in Medicine Hat on September 13, 1943 and lived his life here employed with delivery services, renovations and carpentry. His passions were cruising for over 50 years in his convertible cars and travelling to the Dominican Republic, Cuba and numerous places in Mexico, Western U.S.A. and Canada. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. It was Don’s wish to be silently remembered. To leave a message of condolence you may visit
http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
JOANNE MUTSCHLER
JOANNE MUTSCHLER 1943 – 2022 Joanne Jean Rae Mutschler of Medicine Hat passed away on Saturday December 17, 2022 at the age of 79 years. Celebration of Life arrangements will be announced when completed. To leave a message of condolence you may visit
http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com. PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2
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