June 7, 2014

By Obituaries on June 7, 2014.

.1929 ~ BITTORF ~ 2014
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mary Ola Bittorf (nee Cranley) on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014 at the age of 85 years. Mary leaves to cherish her memory her children, Dennis (Sharon) Barry, Marilyn (Robert) Siegmund, Marlene (Rick) Powers and Rita Sidorak, all of Medicine Hat; numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren; her stepsons, Warren (Jane) Bittorf and Robin (Sharon) Bittorf; one brother-in-law, Ralph Watt in Ontario; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her husbands, Joe Barry (1984) and Ralph Bittorf (1999); her stepson and his wife, Ean and Betty Bittorf; one sister, Helen Watt (2004); one brother, Vince Cranley; and one sister-in-law, Rita Pettey. Mary was born in Peterborough, Ontario and grew up in the area. She moved to Calgary in the early 1960’s and lived there for many years. She also lived in Sylvan Lake and Brooks for several years before finally settling in Medicine Hat. A Funeral Service honouring Mary’s life will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, on Monday, June 9th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Art Hildebrand officiating. Interment will take place in the Family Plot at Saamis Prairie View Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Mary’s memory may be made to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, #124, 430 – 6th Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8, or to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8, or to the Cypress View Foundation, 722 Bassett Crescent NW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 7W8. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Mary Bittorf. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park”, locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

.CLARK
Gordon Albert Clark passed away at his home on June 1, 2014 at the age of 92 years. He was born on November 5, 1921 to Albert and Minnie Clark, second born of seven children. He is survived by five children, Carol Demaris, Jerry (Joanne), Steve (Sylvia) all of Medicine Hat, Phyllis (Walter) Malainey of Calgary and Debby (Jim) Crawford of Olds; his sister Edythe Morrison and sister-in-law Hattie Clark; nineteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Minnie and Albert Clark; the mother of his children Grace Clark; a son-in-law Tony Demaris; three brothers, Sydney as a young man, John and Norman; two sisters, Phyllis Lomas and Mary Chandler. After serving in the Canadian Air Force, Gordon purchased a farm in the Wisdom – Little Plume community. In 1947, he married Grace Ona Cooper and together they raised their family on the farm. In 1957, because the children were attending school, he purchased a home in Medicine Hat. Gordon ranched for over 60 years, and never really did retire. He never really changed his ways of ranching from when he first began to 60 years later. He spent a good portion of those years walking the pasture, poisoning gophers and eradicating the burrs. He still preferred horseback to any other means for checking the cows. Some of Gordon’s hobbies were gardening and berry picking. He enjoyed cooking right until his last day. In the later years, Gordon appreciated his family and said he was a lucky man and had been blessed, he felt he had a good life. The funeral service will be held in Heights Baptist Church (1250 Division Ave S) on Monday, June 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Patrick Schoenberger officiating. Officers and members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Robertson Memorial Branch #17 will conduct a poppy service for their departed comrade. A private family interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, 702 – 2 St. SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Gordon Clark, 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

.MARGARET SHERBAN
Margaret Sherban passed away on Friday, May 23, 2014, at the age of 61 years. A private cremation commencement service was held. (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

.SHARON RIFFEL
1956 ~ 2014
With heavy hearts the family of Sharon Riffel announce her passing while at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at the age of 58 years. (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

.SOKLOFSKE, Dr. Albert William
The family of Dr. Al Soklofske is saddened by his passing on Sunday, June 1st, 2014 at the age of 96 years. Al was born on February 7th, 1918 in Burstall, Saskatchewan to parents Gotfried and Katy (nee May). He was raised on the farm with his 5 brothers and sisters during the difficult economic times of the depression era. Hard work instilled a lasting work ethic, combined with a loving family environment to create an unforgettable character. He managed to complete his elementary education in Burstall before the family moved to Medicine Hat in 1935. He completed his education with graduation from Alexandra High School. Following this he attended college in Lacombe, Alberta earning a good portion of the tuition by milking cows and doing chores on the college farm. Al joined the RCAF in 1941, serving the war effort in England as a radar technician. It was while stationed in Cornwall that he met his future wife Josephine (nee Trezise) and they married on August 13th, 1945. Following return to Canada, they settled in Edmonton where Al enrolled in Dentistry at the University of Alberta graduating in 1950. His dental practice spanned nearly 50 years before reluctantly retiring at age 80. Al was active in the community in many organizations including the Masonic Lodge and Shrine Club where he played trumpet in the colorful marching band. He also joined Kiwanis and other service clubs over the years. He was a devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and supported many church and other charities. Belief in God and a hereafter was a source of strength in his life. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Josephine; brother, Harold of Calgary; and sister, Rosella Dawson of Edmonton; two children, Diane of Winnipeg and Barry (Debbie) of Medicine Hat; grandsons, Jason (Kelsi), Steven and Neil; and 1 great granddaughter, Madelyn; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; stepmother, Katherine Dederer; brothers, Paul and Jon; and sister, Jane (Agan). He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, former patients and church members. To honour his wishes a private graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Albert’s memory may be made to Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation, 124, 430 – 6th Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8 or to the Shriner’s Crippled Children’s Hospital, 5225 – 101 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3L 1S4 or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Albert Soklofske. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park”, locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

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