January 19, 2023
By Obituaries on January 19, 2023.
SYLVIA STROM
SYLVIA STROM 1944 ~ 2023 Sylvia Agnes Strom passed away at the Bow Island Health Centre after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at the age of 78 years. A Celebration of Sylvia’s life will be held at the Evangelical Free Church, 414 – 2 Street West, Bow Island on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Those who cannot attend but wish to be a part of the service may choose to visit bowislandefc.com (Condolences may be expressed by visiting 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”
EDNA DEERING
EDNA DEERING August 3, 1944 ~ January 16, 2023
It is with heavy hearts the family of Edna Olinda Deering announce her passing on Monday, January 16, 2023, at the age of 78 years. Edna leaves to cherish her memory the love of her life, her husband of almost sixty years, Barry Deering and their only daughter, Tobi (Deering) Kemp, her biggest fan. Edna is also survived by her sister, Vivian (Ron) Grover; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Holt of Edmonton, AB., and Susan Deering of Kamloops, BC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, George and Martha Sulz and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herbert and Melba Deering as well as siblings, Doreen Bohnet, Leonard Sulz and Bill Sulz.
Edna was born in Trochu, AB., on August 3, 1944, where she lived with her family until they relocated to Medicine Hat when she was 8 years old. Edna attended Riverside School, Alexandra Junior High School and Medicine Hat High School where she graduated in 1962. Shortly after graduation, Edna started her banking career which would span 37 years. She worked for the Bank of Montreal in both Medicine Hat and briefly in Calgary before finishing her career with Scotiabank upon her retirement in 1999. Edna’s career as a friendly, customer-oriented bank teller experienced a 14 year hiatus from 1977 1991, when Edna took on what she viewed as her most loved and most important job, being a full-time Mom to Tobi.
Sport was an important part of Edna’s life, having played fastball from the ages of 12 30 with the Medicine Hat Elkettes, before turning in her baseball mitt for a coach’s clipboard at age 30. She coached the Moose Angels for a number of years and then Tobi’s girls’ softball team, also the Angels, before changing her role again to avid fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. At about the same time she put down the softball, Edna picked up a golf club. She enjoyed golfing with friends and family during summer camping excursions as well as with her golfing girls during her retirement. Edna was also an avid flower and vegetable gardener who enjoyed the challenge of figuring out where and how her vegetables would grow best and designing colorful floral displays in her yard. When indoors, Edna could generally be found enjoying a good book.
Edna was a woman of music and faith, and those passions combined in her 39 year career as the choir director at Riverside Presbyterian Church. She was deeply involved in her church community as a Sunday School teacher and member of the Worship Committee, Board of Managers, and the “Church Mice.” Edna ultimately ended her church service career at St. John’s Presbyterian where she served as a Church Elder from 2013 2020, when she stepped back due to health constraints.
Edna was beloved by family and friends alike and will be affectionately remembered for her warm smile, her listening ear and her selfless gift of thinking of others before herself. Those wishing to celebrate Edna’s life and bid her a fond farewell are invited to join the family at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 504 – 2 Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Jeff Lackie officiating. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com) In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be directed to St. John’s Presbyterian Church or the Alberta Lung Association. 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”
MARIE JOSÉ NIWA
1928 – MARIE JOSÉ NIWA – 2023
Marie (Mary) José Niwa (nee Lijdsman) passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, in Medicine Hat, AB. Though she always hated the phrase, Mary was an inspiration to those who knew and loved her.
Mary was born in Empress, AB on March 20, 1928, to Frank and Leotine Lijdsman. Raised in Bindloss, AB she had a very happy childhood. Mary graduated from Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing in 1951 and was immensely proud of her work as a nurse, something that she found great fulfilment in throughout her life.
In June 1952, Mary married Dennis Joseph Niwa, settling at the farm in Acadia Valley, AB. Together, Mary and Den raised six boys. Mary and Den had a happy home full of laughter, love, hard work, and with six rambunctious boys, the occasional trip to the hospital. Mary had many friends in the community, including her dearest friend, Bonnie Crocker. Mary often expressed that there was never a better friend than Bonnie and their over 50-year friendship was exceptionally meaningful to her. Mary’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Bonnie for her friendship, kindness, and support of Mary until the end.
In 1991, Mary and Den retired to Medicine Hat, and enjoyed sharing meaningful time with their sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and friends. Mary’s greatest joy and pride was her family. She was a grandmother like no other, and each of her grandchildren will fondly remember special times spent with her, long talks, and many laughs. Mary always had time for her grandkids and in her later years, adored being a “GG” to her great-grandchildren.
Mary greatly enjoyed volunteering in her community and her faith was of great importance to her: she was proud to have been a dedicated member of the Catholic Women’s League for over 70 years.
Mary had a larger-than-life personality, loved to talk, and get to know people she was never short of friends, stories, or advice. She lived every day with great enthusiasm, humour, positivity, and determination. Mary and her “crooked finger”, will be deeply and forever missed.
Mary is survived by her six sons, Greg (Doris), Rod, Darold (Lynn), Michael (Bernice), Bruce, and Gord (Laurie); her grandchildren, Lindsay (Kris), Katie, Kendra (Brett), Tyson, Braden, Joshua, and Jake; great-grandchildren, Parker, Maddie and Luna; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Lijdsman and Rose Niwa; very special family members, Janice Niwa, Ashly Niwa and Sydney Kincaid; as well as her large extended family of nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Den in 2001; her loving grandson, Brandon in 2020; brothers, Gerry and John; and sisters Helen and Frankie.
The Niwa family would like to thank the staff, nurses and doctors who supported her care at Masterpiece, and St. Joseph’s.
Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20th, 2023, at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Rd SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5. The funeral mass will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 1451 Strachan Rd SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4V3 with Fr. Philip Le, Celebrant. Interment will take place June 16, 2023, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Acadia Valley, AB.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to celebrate Mary’s life are encouraged to donate to the Niwa Family Fund c/o the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta, (430 6 Ave SE, #104, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 2S8 or online via https://cfsea.ca/). Through the Niwa Family Fund, donations support the greatest needs in the community including the Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund (“The Beej Project”) at the Medicine Hat College and will help us to keep Mary’s memory alive for years to come. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Marie Niwa. 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.
FLORENCE LACZKOWSKI
FLORENCE LACZKOWSKI 1927 – 2023 Florence Jean Laczkowski (Smith) went to be with our Lord and Saviour on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at the age of 95 years. Florence was predeceased by her loving husband, Joe, of almost 72 years and all her siblings; Robert, Dora, Francis, Jessie and John. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where her father ran a bakery, the family eventually moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, when Florence was a teenager. Flo and Joe met in Medicine Hat, married, and started their life together on the family farm in Seven Persons. Like many families back then, they started their married life under the same roof as Joe’s parents, Anthony, and Albina (Tromba), and they eventually moved to their own farm just down the road. While Joe was busy running the family farm and Florence was running a household of eight, she somehow found the time to sew and create. This soon blossomed into a passion for making dolls. She loved creating unique, one-of-a-kind, dolls. Many were sold, many more were given as gifts, and if her eyesight and hands had been willing, she would have been making them up until the day she passed. In 1968, Joe and Florence tragically lost their eldest daughter, Lucille, who was killed in a car crash just a few miles from home. Florence is survived by her children, Patricia (Bill) Drew, Tony (Ann) Laczkowski, Tim (Sherry) Laczkowski, Betty Laczkowski, Paula (Jay) Richardson and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Florence will be remembered for her creativity and sewing talents, her gentle and kind spirit, her love of a good book and her loyalty to her family.
We would like to say a special Thank you to Frank and Roseanne for your faithful Sunday visits with mom. She really appreciated it. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road SE) on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Naveed Arif celebrant. The funeral mass will be live streamed for family and friends who are unable to attend. You are invited to watch on http://www.youtube.com/Medicine Hat Holy Family Church or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG6zK-XzuXdDHj79rV6ut_Q. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. 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
SHARON EARLE
SHARON EARLE 1944 ~ 2023
Sharon Lea Earle, beloved resident of the Alfred Egan Home in Bow Island, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at the age of 78 years, with caring staff members by her side. She was born on March 31, 1944, in Calgary and lived at the Michener Center in Red Deer until 1993, when she moved to Bow Island. Sharon, known to the staff as ‘Boss Lady’, always made her presence known with an impatient sigh or a whole hearted laugh. She had a dark sense of humour and often laughed at the staff’s expense. Sharon loved spending time with others, listening and watching those around her with an infectious laugh that could fill the whole room. One of the most memorable times with Sharon was her recent trip to the Calgary Zoo. She will be greatly missed by the staff and friends whom she came to know as her family. (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”
JEFF “GOLDIE” GOLD
JEFF “GOLDIE” GOLD June 15, 1971 ~ January 13, 2023 It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the loss of a wonderful husband, father and friend, Jeffery ‘Jeff’ Gold. Jeff passed away while surrounded by his family at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Friday, January 13, 2023, at the age of 51 years. Jeff was born and raised in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan on June 15, 1971. Medicine Hat became his home and this is also where he was the co-owner of Ag-Plus Mechanical and where he married Kyndra on June 19, 1999. As many know, Jeff could very easily be described as the “life of the party’… his lively energy always brightened up a room. He loved to entertain guests and cook food for others on one of his many outdoor smokers. He didn’t just entertain with food and beverage – he could also make people laugh with quick wit and by showing off his very best dance moves! Jeff had a huge passion for hockey; whether watching, playing or cheering on his kids. He also loved a round of golf with his buddies, hiking, snowshoeing and paddleboarding. Above all, Jeff loved his family more than anything. He had a genuinely kind and caring attitude and those are the qualities that will be deeply missed. Jeff’s memory will live on in the hearts of his wife, Kyndra; three children, Heather (Chris) Mackey and their son, Zion, Taylor Gold (Jordan Kroeger) and Tanner Gold; siblings, Jane (Dave) Klug, Donna Rodin, Janet (Ken) Dillabaugh, Jim Gold (Susan Birnie), Debbie Christian, Barb Gold, Marcie Holderness, Wayne (Susan) Burton and Garry (Shona) Burton as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Vera Gold and Marlene and Sots Burton; siblings, Bruce Gold, Bobby Gold and Judy Gee; a nephew, Jarrod Rodin and a niece, Ireland Rodin. A Celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at the Cypress Centre, 2055 – 21 Ave. S.E., Medicine Hat on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. Private burial will take place prior to the service. (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”
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