December 24, 2015

By Obituaries on December 24, 2015.

1934 – GEBHARDT – 2015

Donna Myrta Mary June Gebhardt (nee Clubine) of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of Sig Gebhardt, passed away on Friday December 4, 2015 at the age of 81 years. Donna leaves to cherish her memory her husband Sig, son Ian (Elizabeth) and four grandchildren Benjamin, Simon, Luke and Rebecca. Donna was predeceased by her son Randolph, parents Ward and Myrta Clubine and brother Lou (Agnes). Donna was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, where she predominantly worked at Ontario Hydro in the actuarial, treasury, and research library departments until her retirement after over 25 years. She also held the position of union representative. Donna was a natural at organization. At age 18 she was a leader for the teen and young adult dancing nights at the Central Toronto YMCA. It was there that she met Sig to whom she would be married for 59 years. They were an inseparable couple, teaching ballroom dancing and on weekends building a country home in East Gwillimbury to which they moved in 1977. They lived in Medicine Hat for the past six years to be closer to their grandchildren. A private burial has already been completed. Thank you to the staff of Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their care and support.

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ELMER BENSON

1963 – 2015
It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Elmer Evan Benson at his home in Dunmore on Monday, December 21, 2015 at the age of 52 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, December 28, 2015 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 – 50 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.
He is survived by Laurel Eremenko, his loving companion of eleven years and her children Sandra, Brett and Desirae; his mother Lois Benson of Taber; his sister Wanda (Adam) Andreas of Edmonton and children Evan Andreas, Shannon (Doug) Schmidt and family and Joy (Ryan) Archer and family; his brother Owen Benson of Coaldale and children Jason McNiven (Wendy) and family and Cory (Renee) Benson and family; his sister-in-law Nola Benson of Lethbridge and children Devin (Candace) Benson and Curtis Benson; his sister Deb (Ib) Simonsen of Picture Butte and children Brie Simonsen and family and Casey Simonsen.
Elmer will be met with open arms by his father Harold and his brothers Warren and Craig.
Known to many as “Duke”, Elmer was born in Taber on May 7, 1963. As a young boy, he loved to fish and hunt rabbits. He worked on the rigs and tried other jobs until he moved to Medicine Hat in the late eighties and settled into home exteriors, eventually opening his own business, “Elmer’s Gutters”. He spent many evenings tinkering in his workshop working on his trucks and other projects.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Elmer’s name may be made directly to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, PO Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 (www.stars.ca) or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K7 (www.heartandstroke.ab.ca).

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ERESMAN

John Eresman of Medicine Hat passed away on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, at the age of 78 years, beloved husband of the late Lavina Eresman. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & NU, 100 – 119 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 . To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: John Eresman, 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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My First
Christmas In Heaven

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I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you,
the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description
to hear the Angels sing.
I know how much you miss me.
I see the pain inside your heart,
But I am not so far away.
We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me dear ones,
you know I hold you dear.
And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift
from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory
of my undying love,
After all “Love” is the gift more
precious than pure gold
It was always most important
in the stories Jesus told.
Pease love and keep each other,
as my Father said to do,
For I can’t count the blessings
or love He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas
and wipe away that tear.
Remember, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
Courtesy of

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

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PODAIMA

Lorraine Lucille Podaima passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the age of 79 years, beloved wife of John Podaima of Medicine Hat. She also leaves to cherish her memory her children, Tracy (Chen) Morin, Tammy (Todd) Boschee, and Colleen (Tim) Leis; five grandchildren, Karleigh (Kevin) and Rebecca; Taelynn and Taryn; Brenden; two great grandchildren Sadonah and Easton; and her brother, Robert (Ann) Graham. She was predeceased by her parents, Hector and Pearl Graham and two grandchildren, Casey and Dennis. Lorraine was born on January 16, 1936 in Vancouver, British Columbia. She grew up on Cortes Island, B.C. and has always kept a special place in her heart for the B.C. Coast. She eventually moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba where she met her husband John Podaima. They were married on October 21, 1961 and shared 54 years of happy memories together. Over the years Lorraine had various occupations but the majority of her career was working as a Home Care Aide for the City of Medicine Hat. In 1974, Lorraine and her husband John purchased their first house in a quiet neighbourhood in Medicine Hat where they raised their three daughters. She then took on the role of Nana and loved to spoil all of her grandchildren. Her family was very important to her and she cherished every moment she could spend with them. Lorraine had a love for animals so when she wasn’t busy with her grandchildren, she was taking care of all of the family pets. Lorraine will be dearly missed by all her family and friends and remembered in their hearts forever. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 2888 Shaganappi Trail N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A9 or online at http://www.childrenshospital.ab.ca. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Lorraine Podaima, 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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