December 12, 2014

By Obituaries on December 12, 2014.

.1927 ~ WEISS ~ 2014
Mr. Herbert (Herb) Conrad Weiss passed away on December 7th, 2014 at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Herb leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Matilda; two sons, Gerald (Dallas) and Keith (Kim); five grandchildren, Andrew (Leah), Justin (Cara), Danielle (Tyrell) Sears, Quintin and Parker; four great-grandchildren, Quade, Aven, Genevieve and Tristan; one sister-in-law, Laura; nieces and nephews and their families; and Matilda’s family. Herb was predeceased by two infant children; his parents, Conrad and Emma; one brother, Oscar; and two sisters, Elsie (Gordon) and Adela (Ted). Herb was born in Medicine Hat on October 21st, 1927. He was the youngest of four siblings. He received his education in Medicine Hat and worked at Alberta Clay Products as an apprentice machinist and also helped his father on the farm. Herb was the choir director with St. Peter Lutheran Church for over 40 years. There he met the love of his life, Matilda Kirchenman, and they were married in 1951 enjoying 63 wonderful years together. In the fall of 1951, Herb went to work at Suffield Experimental Station as a Machinist until 1956 when he took over the family farm. In 1957, Herb and Matilda built their home on the farm. The following year, they built a barn and raised chickens, pigs, milked cows and sold cream. Herb continued to work at the Glass Factory as a Machinist to make ends meet. They established Hat View Dairy in 1964, and it was during that year, working side by side in the new barn, that they started shipping fluid milk. Hat View Dairy Farm is still operating by Gerald and Keith and their families. Herb was a strong believer in community service. Throughout the years he volunteered on several different boards. He served on Church Council, was an active board member of the Medicine Hat Co-op, Medicine Hat Milk Producers, Alpha Milk, Alberta Milk Producers, Bellscott Natural Gas Co-op, Green Valley Water Co-op, Hat Swingers Square Dancing Club, and was still serving on the Veiner Centre Bridge Club until his passing. Herb loved wood working. He constructed several barns, built his homes, the cupboards in his kitchen, and some furniture. In 2006, Herb and Matilda received the Dairy Industry Achievement Award for their outstanding contribution to the Dairy Industry. One of Herb’s proudest moments came earlier this year when his family was recognized at the Calgary Stampede and awarded Farm Family of the Year 2014 for Cypress County. Herb enjoyed traveling with Matilda, family, and friends. Highlights included cruises and taking his grandchildren to Disneyland. Herb and Matilda square danced for many years. In their traveling days, they toured Europe and had the honor of Square Dancing for Lady Di and Prince Charles. Herb found great joy and was extremely proud when he could attend his grandchildren’s sporting events. He truly was their biggest fan and loved to tell others about their accomplishments. He enjoyed watching hockey, curling, baseball, and football. In his last few years, Herb was an avid bridge player which he enjoyed immensely. He was very dedicated to his church and was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 758 – 8th Street SE, on Saturday from 12:00 to 12:55 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH on Saturday, December 13th, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Barrett Scheske officiating. A Private Interment will take place in the Family Plot at Saamis Prairie View Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Herb’s memory may be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 758 – 8th Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1M5, or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Herb Weiss. 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

.1928 ~ BECKER ~ 2014
James Henry Becker, beloved husband of the late Amelia Becker, passed away on Saturday, December 6th, 2014 at the age of 86 years. The Funeral Service was held yesterday at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading James Becker. Funeral arrangements 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

.1932 – COOPER – 2014
Cecilia Beatrice Cooper of Medicine Hat, beloved wife and companion for 53 years of the late John Albert Cooper, passed away on Monday, December 8th, 2014 at the age of 82 years. Cecilia passed away peacefully, attended by her loving children, at St. Joseph’s Hospice in Medicine Hat.
Mom leaves to cherish her memory her five children and their families: Bill (Lorraine), daughter Shannon (Jay) Barich and granddaughter Violet; Sandy; Tim (Lori), daughter Lindsey (Chris Melnik), son Shaun; Deanna (Guy) Schotanus, daughter Quinn, son Nolan; and Dave (Heather), son Kayne, daughters Caleigh and Paige. She is also survived by her two brothers, Alfred (Anne) Uhrich and Lorne Uhrich; special cousin and lifelong friend, Anne Scheuer; one sister-in-law, Florence Pelchat; and her loving nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Frances Uhrich; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Christina Cooper; her sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Bill Brewster; and her nephew, Darin Uhrich.
Mom was born in Bracken, Saskatchewan in 1932 into a hard working farm family. They left the farming life behind and moved to Drumheller from where, at the ripe old age of 15, Mom hit the streets of Calgary seeking employment. After a time in Calgary, she relocated to Medicine Hat with her sister, Julie, where both wound up working at the glass factory. Mom was introduced to her future husband, “Johnny”, by her future sister-in-law, Florence, also working at the glass factory.
It was from this point forward that Mom’s true talents became apparent. Raising five kids, fully involved in most of their pursuits while also working with husband, John, in the family business. A short list of roles and accomplishments include: master baker (best Kuchen ever) supplying sports team trips and family festivities with an endless stream of sustenance and treats; chauffer and roadie, through year-round weather, to countless baseball and hockey tournaments, figure skating competitions, motocross races, football games, and graduations. She was game for anything required including late night party pick-ups, figure skating music coordinator, motocross concession operator, dragline & heavy hauler swamper, camp cook, and family first aid attendant. She was hard to beat when a deck of cards came out and always ready when there was a job to be done. This lady was equally comfortable digging a post hole, operating a gas powered tamper, gently wiping a baby’s bottom or putting the finishing touches on many a detailed birthday cake. (Oh, and providing any of the rarest finds from her endless supply of tickle-trunk doodads and thingamajigs….the original costume supply house.)
Mom was awesome and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her and especially by her kids, siblings and long-time friends.
We wish to extend our gratitude and a heartfelt thank you to Mom’s capable and caring St. Joe’s family. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Reverend Dr. Robert Cruickshank for his assistance in honouring our mother.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at the viewing at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Friday, December 12th, 2014 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
All friends and relatives are invited to attend an OPEN HOUSE in celebration of Mom’s life to be held at her residence at 702 – 4th Avenue NE, Medicine Hat, on Saturday, December 13th, 2014 starting at 3:00 p.m. Please drop in.
As an expression of sympathy, those wishing to remember Cecilia may do so with a gift to the Carmel Hospice, St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, or to AJ’s Loan Cupboard, Box 45006 MacKenzie Drugs Post Office, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0B1. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Cecilia Cooper. 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

.ROSS DODD
1949 ~ 2014
James Ross Dodd passed away in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at the age of 65 years. Ross was born August 7, 1949 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and spent some of his childhood in eastern Canada near Halifax. In 1954, he moved with his mother, Mildred, to Toronto. In his youth, Ross became involved with Scouts Canada and later Air Cadets. These organizations provided many opportunities for him and he met each adventure with enthusiasm. At a young age, his parents parted and his mother would later introduce him to the man that would become his father and husband to Mildred. In 1965, Basil adopted Ross as his own and the family was official. In his adulthood, he travelled extensively and learned the culinary arts. He became an excellent chef and was employed with many high quality restaurants. Since 2001, he had resided in Medicine Hat where he most recently worked at the 3rd Street Market. Ross was a free spirit – a true hippie of his time. He had an extensive collection of records and tapes and was a huge fan of Pink Floyd. Ross was once a “roadie” with Pink Floyd and earned the respect of the band and had unlimited access and privileges – this was the essence of his life! Ross will be deeply missed by his father, Basil Dodd; brother, Howard Dodd (Cindy Meade); nieces, Victoria Dodd and Charlize Meade; nephews, Daniel Spiegel and Taylor (Dana) Meade as well as extended family in England. Ross was predeceased by his mother, Mildred in 2004. In honour of Ross’ life, a Graveside Service will be held at Hillside Cemetery on Monday, December 15, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. The procession will depart from Cook Southland at 9:50 a.m. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting http://www.cooksouthland.com) Memorial donations in Ross’ name may be made directly to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 17, 702 – 2nd Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0E1. Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

.SCHEIFELE
Rosie Manda Scheifele of Medicine Hat passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at the age of 88 years, beloved wife of the late Otto Scheifele. Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the church on Monday from 12:30 to 1:25 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the St. Paul Lutheran Church (515 Sprague Way SE) on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Ken Edel officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society #102 Crestwood Square One, 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z8. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Rosie Scheifele, 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

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