March 9, 2024
By Obituaries on March 9, 2024.
LORNE BUIS
LORNE BUIS 1965 ~ 2024
Lorne William Buis of Foremost, Alberta, loving husband, brother, uncle, and friend passed away unexpectedly at home on March 3, 2024, at the age of 59. Lorne was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 8, 1964, and welcomed into the Buis family at 6 weeks old.
Lorne was devoted to his community and loved to help people. From his first ambulance call on his 18th birthday to his last volunteer shift this past week, Lorne always had his community in mind. He also had a large network within the agriculture community that was developed during his 26 years with W. Buis Holdings Ltd. He served on the Village of Foremost council for 23 years on various committees with the last 6 years as Mayor. He took so much pride and joy volunteering in various organizations such as HALO, Redcoat Rail, and the PEP Board just to name a few.
Lorne loved dogs, going on motorbike rides, spending time at the lake with family, watching and officiating hockey, and serving his community but what Lorne truly loved was being a fire fighter and EMT. From his start in 1989 with the Calgary Fire Department, then serving almost 40 years on the Foremost Fire Department, to recently fighting wildfires in Northern Alberta this past summer, Lorne was always the first to run when the tones dropped.
He had a larger-than-life personality and loved to talk to people. If you were a stranger, you didn’t stay one for long.
Lorne is survived by his best friend and wife Kerri (Rowley); mother Charlotte (Dillenbeck) Buis; sisters Lisa (Warren) Bechthold; children Taunie (Nathan) Magnuson, and Colby Bechthold; Chris (Ron) Preddy; children Kristen and Luke; sisters-in-law June Roy, Leslie (Lyle) Treiber, children Teri (Craig), and Kale (Courtney) as well as numerous other family members and friends.
Lorne was predeceased by his father William “Sonny” Buis and niece Cammie Magnuson.
A Celebration of Lorne’s Life was held Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2:00pm at the FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, 802 1st Ave West.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Foremost Fire Department c/o Village of Foremost, Box 159, Foremost AB T0K 0X0 or HALO Air Ambulance 557 18th St SW Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8C4.
To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Lorne-Buis and scroll to the bottom of Lorne’s obituary.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
RITA BESSANT
RITA BESSANT 1945 ~ 2024 Rita Joyce Bessant passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the age of 78 years. A Celebration of Rita’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Guy Snell officiating. The service will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience Rita’s service may visit the Cook Southland website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. (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”
ROGER DOUCETTE
ROGER DOUCETTE 1942 2024 Roger Doucette passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 4th, 2024.
Roger was born in Rosthern SK, in May of 1942. Roger’s family moved from the farm at Duck Lake to Beechy, SK where Roger graduated. After graduation, Roger worked at the bank in Beechy for a couple years and then moved on to Saskatoon where he met and married his wife, Vivienne Haugen. They eventually made their way to Medicine Hat. Vivienne and Roger travelled throughout the USA and enjoyed spending time with family until she passed on February 11, 1994.
Roger married his second wife Dolores “Kookie” Doucette on September 16, 1996. They enjoyed 26 wonderful years together until Dolores passed on January 20, 2023. Much of their time was spent enjoying their cabin at Duncairn Lake, SK. Roger spent many years working for the Workmen’s Compensation Board. Once retired, Roger and Dolores enjoyed the winters in Mesa and travelling. Roger loved golfing, curling, fishing, reading, but most of all, he loved his most loyal companion Harley, whom he loved to take for walks. Roger and Dolores moved to River Ridge Seniors Village in 2018 where he resided until he passed at the age of 81.
Roger will always be remembered by all who knew him by his quiet nature, but also his quick witty jokes, his preferred drink of rum and coke, his valiant fight against Parkinson’s and so sooo much more! A very heartfelt thank you from all of Roger’s family goes out to all the staff at River Ridge for their care, compassion, grace, and kindness that was shown to Roger during his time there.
There will be a Celebration of Life at an upcoming date. If you would like more information, please call Tina (niece), 403-878-2427.
Condolences may be made at http://www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by Grace Memorial Affordable
Burial & Cremation
1924 10th Ave N.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5
http://www.gracememorial.com
403-905-0440
MARIE GEORGINA PAUL
MARIE GEORGINA PAUL May 3, 1938 March 5, 2024 Marie Paul passed away at Masterpiece Southland Meadows on March 5, 2024, at the age of 85 years. Marie leaves behind her husband, Bernard; son, Leslie (Denise) Paul; and grandchildren, Kaiden and Kamryn Paul. She was predeceased by her parents, Gustave and Sedonie Kolly; brother, Robert Kolly; sisters, Rita Arndt, Cecile Hassett and Laura Odenbach. No formal service will be held. Condolences may be made at http://www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by Grace Memorial Affordable
Burial & Cremation
1924 10th Ave N.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5
http://www.gracememorial.com
403-905-0440
PAUL CUMMINS
PAUL CUMMINS 1958 ~ 2024 Paul David Cummins passed away suddenly with his wife, Elaine by his side, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the age of 65 years. Along with Elaine, left to cherish Paul’s memory is his step-son, Kelly; siblings, Nancy, Randy (Alex) and Peter (Debbie); Elaine’s daughter, Cynthia (Hassin); grandson, Ali as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Linda; step-father, Harry; brother, Georgie and nephew, Andrew. Paul could always be found in his garage tinkering on his next project as his cars were his favourite past time. Paul loved his family immensely and will be deeply missed. A memorial drive honouring Paul and his love of cars will take place at a later date. (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”
CLARENCE ROTH
CLARENCE ROTH 1933 – 2024 Clarence Roth passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the age of 91 years, beloved husband of Marlene Roth of Medicine Hat. Funeral 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
RONALD SLEEVA
RONALD SLEEVA 1953 – 2024 Ronald Gerald Sleeva of Medicine Hat, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at the age of 70 years. He is survived by his Son Nolan, Grand-Godson Dallas Bitz; Daughter Elise (Dallas) Longmuir, Grandchildren, Marshall, Maddison and Morgan Longmuir and his Brother Myron (Gloria). A celebration of his life will take place in Canora, Saskatchewan at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM. 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
TONY SCHLACHTER
TONY SCHLACHTER
Anthony “Tony” Timothy Schlachter, of Medicine Hat, passed away on March 4, 2024, surrounded by members of his family.
Tony was born on May 18, 1934, in the Medicine Hat General Hospital to Joseph and Catherine Schlachter (nee Schile) and grew up on his family’s farm north of Granlea, next to St. Anthony’s church on the Etizkom Road.
He attended a one-room school, then graduated from Conquerville Consolidated School in 1952. As a teenager, he was part of a provincial 4-H grain grading team that competed nationally at the Toronto Royal Fair. He would later serve as a leader for what is now the North Forty 4-H Beef Club, helping to teach his and his neighbour’s children critical thinking, business acumen and public speaking skills.
After high school Tony took the accelerated 2-in-1-year agriculture program at Olds School of Agriculture graduating in 1954. In 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Esther Reuber. They moved to Hussar, where he ran an elevator and bought grain for the Alberta Wheat Pool. They later returned to the Bow Island area, purchasing his family’s farm and renting and living on the Flamme farm where they raised their five children, eventually purchasing the land in 1995.
He was a respected and avid gun and antique collector for most of his life. His extensive pottery donation to the Friends of Medalta Society is on display at the museum in Medicine Hat and he donated his large grain tool collection to the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre in Nanton.
Tony was active in St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church and in his community of Bow Island as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He instilled the values of kindness and service in his children and was a natural leader in groups. Highlights include organizing cooperatives to upgrade farm telephone and electrical utilities as well as helping to build the Bow Island Auction Mart that provided a viable marketing option for locally produced feeder and fed cattle.
Tony served on a number of local boards and was the chairman of a group of farmers, where he negotiated equitable settlements with government officials for the flood land required to build the Forty Mile Dam. Tony owned and continuously improved a herd of registered Hereford cattle on land that is now under water there. He was an active member of the 40 Mile Grazing Co-op for many years and operated a small feedlot when that business made economic sense. Tony was a calculated risk taker, contributing to his successful business undertakings. He was also a believer that “you make your own luck”.
He encouraged all of his children to complete formal education beyond high school and in his daily life surrounded himself with “schmart” people including bankers, business leaders and entrepreneurs that became lifelong partners and friends.
Tony loved socializing. His children observed that he could strike up a conversation with a rock and now marvel that they too have learned how to do the same. He enjoyed travelling and experiencing different cultures. He also loved to dance and very much enjoyed playing cards, bantering with, and beating his friends, family and all comers at smear and cribbage.
Tony was predeceased by his parents, his wife Esther, two brothers Joseph and George, his sister Eva Unreiner, his brother-in-law Sam Helwig and sister-in-law, Carol Schlachter. He is survived by his loving partner of 17 years, Barbara Zemendek; his children: Richard (Katherine), Barry (Karen), Alan (Wendy), Greg (Catherine), Judy Chrystal (Lorne); his grandchildren: Kirstin (Kyle), Jeff (Maria), Jessica, Anna, Kyle (Amelia), Jordan (Brittany), Caleb (Angela), David (Lillian), Levi, Alex (Liz), Matthew, Lucas (Samantha), Annabelle and Elliot; his great grandchildren: Alexandra, Tetley, Maxwell, Sampson, Felix, Atlas and Otto as well as many nieces and nephews. Tony is also survived by his sisters, Rosella Helwig, Jacqueline Doran (Terry), his brothers Andrew and Robert (Mary); his brothers-in-law Ed Unreiner and Herman Reuber and sister-in-law Rose Reuber.
Tony was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. The family would like to thank all of those that cared for him at Masterpiece Southlands and the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Tuesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. or at the church one hour prior to mass. The funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Michael’s Catholic Church (1113 1st Street E, Bow Island) on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Wojciech Jarzecki celebrant. A private interment will take place in the Bow Island Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a Children’s Hospital Foundation of their choice or to the Friends of Medalta Society. 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
PHYLLIS REICHEL
PHYLLIS REICHEL 1936 ~ 2024 Phyllis Avalon Reichel, beloved wife of John, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Home Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the age of 87 years. Along with John, left to cherish Phyllis’ memory are her children, Neal (Louise) Mew of Medicine Hat and Timothy Mew of Montreal, Quebec; grandchildren, Stephanie and Jennifer Mew; brother, Ross (Susan) Thompson as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members. Phyllis was predeceased by her parents as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Lorne (Mary) Thompson. Phyllis’ life will be honoured and her memory cherished without the proceedings of a formal funeral. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com). If friends so desire, donations in memory of Phyllis may be made to the charity of one’s choice. 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” 27
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