December 9, 2025

By Obituaries on December 9, 2025.

GERALD MICHEAL LEISMEISTER

GERALD MICHEAL LEISMEISTER December 16th, 1952 – November 30th, 2025 It is with great sorrow the family, of Gerald (Jerry) Micheal Leismeister, announce his passing. Peacefully, on November 30, 2025, at the age of 72, with his family by his side. Gerald leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 52 years, Gloria; children, Kim (Kevin) Aberle, Jeremy (Twyla) Leismeister, Kara (Scott) Shaw; grandchildren, Tristan, Zoe Aberle, Wyatt, Sidney Leismeister, Brock, Tanner Shaw, and Jadynn Jamieson; as well as his brothers, Larry (Gladys), Neil (Darlene), and Kelly; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald (Debbie) Deis, Rod (Joan) Deis, Pat Deis (Rob), Belinda Deis (Bill), Bernie Heffner (Barry); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerald was born in Leader, SK. He grew up on the family farm, that he eventually took over, after moving to Medicine Hat and where he met Gloria and they started their family together. Gerald had a variety of jobs as a young man. He found his place with B.A.T.U.S. for the next 35 years. He had many interests including farming, drag racing, skiing, camping in Cypress Hills, and putting miles on his motorcycle together with Gloria. He could be found mowing the grass or stoking the fire at Irvine campground. In retirement, he and Gloria found adventure taking cruises together. His favourite was the Panama Canal.
Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Rachel Leismeister; step father, Jack Hellman; sister, Violet Seifert; brother-in-law, Ted Seifert; father and mother-in-law, Peter and Katherine Deis.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, at the Legion Canteen Room at 1:00pm. 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

ALICE BROWN

ALICE BROWN Alice Brown, wife of the late James Brown, passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 2nd 2025, at the age of 95. She leaves to cherish her memory Bill (Joanne), Marlene, Glen (Roxanne), 9 Grandchildren, 10 Great-Grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews; her sisters Lorette Scott, Marie Podmaroff, and a sister-in-law Evelyn Hebert.
Predeceased by her husband James, her parents George and Rose Hebert, his parents Stanley and Iva Brown; Son Jim, daughter-in-law Gwen, and son-in-law Dave. Her siblings Rosalie (Walter) Gehl, Yvonne (Cleo) Schrader, Maurice Hebert, Noel (Eileen) Hebert; brothers-in-law Dick Scott and Fred Podmaroff; sisters-in-law Juline (Jim) Underdahl, and Phyllis (Ken) Stodalka.
In memory of Alice, a service will be held at the Maple Creek Elks Hall at 2:00PM Saskatchewan time on Thursday December 11th, 2025. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.
Condolences may be offered to the family at http://www.binkleysfuneralservice.com

DONNA KAY RETELBACK

DONNA KAY RETELBACK 1936 ~ 2025 Kay Retelback of Leduc, AB, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the age of 89 years. The Funeral Service was held Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Kay Retelback. Funeral arrangements 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.

VERNON JOHN SIMALUK

VERNON JOHN SIMALUK 1938 – 2025
It is with deep sadness that Vernon passed away on November 13, 2025, in Okotoks, Alberta at the age of 87 years. Vernon was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He moved to Redcliff, Alberta, with this family, in 1949. There he attended Redcliff Public School where he received the Governor General Medal for Scholastic excellence in grade nine. He attended high school at Alexander High and was then, in 1956, part of the first graduating class of the new Medicine Hat High School. Vernon enjoyed his school years by participating in several sports. He played baseball, basketball, hockey, and football. He was also an ardent follower of these sports in their professional ranks. Following graduation, he applied and received a position with the Medicine Hat News. Vernon ardently aspired to be a newspaper journalist and so he left the Medicine Hat News to enter the University of Alberta where he achieved a Degree in Journalism. First, he accepted a position in Sarnia, Ontario, then on to the paper in Trail, B.C. to Nelson, B.C. where he met and married his wife, Joan. Vern’s final relocation in his Journalism Career was to the Calgary Herald where he wrote a column for the for the next 28 years prior to retiring. Vernon was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) Simaluk and Anne Simaluk; youngest sister, Loretta Simaluk; oldest sister, Lucille Goodman; and youngest brother, Allan Simaluk. He is survived by his wife, Joan Simaluk and his brother, Ken Simaluk. Vernon was an original member and firm believer in the Redcliff School Scholastic Fund which assisted 1st year University students from Redcliff with a scholarship. There will be a Graveside Service held in the Summer next year at the Redcliff Cemetery where he will rest in peace. Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Vernon Simaluk. Funeral arrangements by

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.

JOHNSON

WENDY ELIZABETH JOHNSON (NÉE WHEELOCK)
Wendy Elizabeth Johnson (née Wheelock) passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on December 2, 2025, at the age of 76 at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Wendy is survived by her two children, Mathew Johnson (Laura) and Clara Kennedy (Lee), as well as her beloved grandchildren Gregory, Sadi, Logan, Ella Quinn and Kaia. She is also survived by her siblings Brian Wheelock (Anne) and Anne Vickery (Kevin) and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, their families, and her many close friends. Wendy was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Elizabeth Wheelock. Born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Wendy loved the ocean and the Maritimes all her life. She went to school at Acadia University and Boston College, where she earned a Masters in Deaf Blind Education. Wendy spent her career working with adults and children with various special needs. After working as a teacher in Toronto, Ontario, she moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, to work for the City of Medicine Hat as Special Children’s Consultant, working with preschool children and, in particular, hearing-impaired children. She next joined the Medicine Hat College to create and coordinate their Intervenor for Deaf Blind Persons program. Wendy subsequently became the Director of Special Education for Southview Kiddie Kampus in Medicine Hat, where she evaluated and assessed the intervention requirements of children with special needs, secured funding, and coordinated the provision of those services. At the end of her career, she was the Regional Autism Coordinator for the Core Association, where she advocated for children with autism and their families throughout Southern Alberta in order to get diagnoses, supports and funding. Although her work had a significant impact on her community, Wendy never sought recognition or praise. She did it because she cared and wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. She was relentless in advocating and fighting for her clients. She never stopped pushing for better funding and better programs. In doing so, she helped many families throughout Medicine Hat and across Southern Alberta. Wendy lived life to the fullest, got into trouble with friends and made everyone around her more comfortable. She loved swimming, golf and tennis, jazz and other live music, and a good glass of wine. She was exuberant, full of joy, and the best kind of weird. She danced and sang when she sunk a putt and her loved ones understood what it meant when she started using sign language after a glass of wine or two. She loved to travel, whether to Italy with friends, or to Nova Scotia with her family. Mat and Clara still remember living for a year in England with their parents and appreciate all of the doors she opened and opportunities she made possible through her support. Most importantly, Wendy was a loving mother and grandmother and would do anything for her family and friends. Her love, generosity and support were unconditional, especially for her five grandchildren whom she adored more than anything. She was a best friend and constant support for her children and was always there when needed. Wendy’s legacy lives on in all of the lives she has shaped and inspired. Wendy’s family is forever grateful to the staff on unit 111 at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, and especially to the staff of 4 west and 2 north at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their care, compassion and professionalism over the past few months. The memorial service will be held in the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant, Pat Grisonich officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. The memorial service and the interment will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit Wendy’s obituary page on our website for the links. Following the interment you are invited to join the family for a reception in Wendy’s honour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CKUA, CNIB, or Autism Canada in Wendy’s memory. 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

DONNA BLAKELY

DONNA BLAKELY 1954 ~ 2025 Donna Blakely, beloved wife of Ian Blakely of Medicine Hat, passed away on Thursday December 4, 2025, at the age of 71 years. She also leaves to cherish her memory her son, Craig Wilkinson as well as Ian’s son, Garrett (Jessica) Blakely and their daughter Leah; one daughter-in-law, Theresa Shaji; one sister, Lynn (Ron) Blakely; three sisters-in-law, Sylvia Grose and her children, Tim and David Grose, Sherry-Lynn Clark, Susan Blakely, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Donna was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Jean Grose; two brothers, Ross (Carol) Grose and Lloyd Grose. Donna was the proud owner of Uniforms Today for eighteen years. Unfortunately, Donna was forced to retire from Save on Foods during her battle with West Nile. Those who wish to remember Donna with a donation may do so to the charity of their choice. A private time of remembrance will be held. Cremation has been entrusted to the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium. Interment will take place in Alliston, Ontario at a later date. 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

CAROLE MEIDINGER

CAROLE MEIDINGER 1946 ~ 2025 Mrs. Carole Meidinger, beloved wife of the late Mr. Calvin Meidinger, passed away in Medicine Hat on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the age of 79 years. A Celebration of Carole’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Murray Jaster officiating. (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”

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