February 2, 2018

By Obituaries on February 2, 2018.

1941 ~ MARLENE SIMALUK ~ 2018

Marlene Simaluk (nee Walker), beloved wife of Kenneth “Ken” Simaluk of Medicine Hat, passed away on Thursday, February 1st, 2018 at the age of 76 years. Marlene also leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Susan Tidsbury and Shelley Arkley; four grandchildren, Krista (Andreas) Mendez, Sarah, Carly and Robyn; two great grandchildren, Eva and Adalyn; one sister, Diane (Wendal) Roan; and one brother-in-law, Vernon (Joan) Simaluk. Marlene was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Rhoda Walker; one brother, Jack Walker; two sisters, Winnie (Ken) Jackson and Margaret (Gordon) Worts; and her father and mother-in-law, William and Anne Simaluk. Marlene was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who loved to cook and bake for her family, which was her #1 priority. In her later years Marlene enjoyed golfing, curling, gardening, outdoors, camping, holidays in Hawaii and her Yorkie dogs, Lacey and Skye. A Memorial Service will take place at a later date. Memorial gifts in Marlene's memory may be made to the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, 340A Maple Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 7L5 or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2H 0G5. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Marlene Simaluk. Funeral arrangements are 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.

---

1942 ~ SHIRLEY McSWEENY ~ 2018

Shirley Jean McSweeny of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Michael McSweeny Sr., passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, on Saturday, January 27th, 2018 at the age of 75 years. Shirley leaves to cherish her memory three children, Stephen (Gail), Sean (Lynnette) and Michael Jr. (Pamela); seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Michael Sr.; and her mother, Vera Kleinknecht. As per Shirley's request, no formal funeral services will be held. Memorial gifts in Shirley's memory may be made to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8E8. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Shirley McSweeny. Funeral arrangements are 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.

---

1949 ~ RUBY ELSASSER-ANCION ~ 2018

Ruby Lynn Elsasser-Ancion, beloved wife of Roger Ancion of Medicine Hat, passed away on Saturday, January 27th, 2018 at the age of 68 years. The Funeral Service was held yesterday at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL. Memorial gifts in Ruby's memory may be made to the Medicine Hat & District Food Bank Association or to the Salvation Army. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Ruby Elsasser-Ancion. Funeral arrangements are 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.

---

BARBARA RIEGER

1955 ~ 2018
It is with a heavy heart that Tom announces his beloved wife of 41 years, Barbara Joan Rieger, passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the age of 62 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced upon completion. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at 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

---

DIRK

Joseph “Joe” H. Dirk passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at the age of 78 years, beloved husband of Marj Dirk of Medicine Hat. He also leaves to cherish his memory three children Miles (Kathryn) Dirk and Tracy (Janice) Dirk all of Lethbridge and Dean Dirk (Lanny Whiteford) of Medicine Hat; six grandchildren Christina Dirk (Dale), Ashlee (Ryan) Poppe, Justin (Krystin) Dirk, Quentin Dirk, Brady Dirk and Landon Deelstra (Melissa Jacober); five great grandchildren, Aislynn, Haylee, Kallie, Jack and Nate; his mother Sally Dirk, one brother Donald Dirk, one sister Diane (Murray) McCartney all of Medicine Hat as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Herman Dirk, one brother Mike Dirk and a sister-in-law Darlene Dirk. Family and friends will gather for prayers in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mas will be celebrated in the Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road SE) on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Philip Le celebrant. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Joseph Dirk, 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

---

EPP

Victor Gerhard Epp passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at the age of 84 years, beloved husband of Helen Epp of Medicine Hat. He also leaves to cherish his memory three daughters, Cheryl Epp of Medicine Hat, Janice (Steve) Koepnick of Winnipeg and Loris (Doug) Halvorson of Coldstream, B.C.; four grandchildren, Esther Koepnick and Abigail Koepnick, Jenna Halvorson and Brad Halvorson; three brothers Dennis (Tokuko) Epp, Carl Epp (Madeline Enns), Oscar (Rosalind) Epp, one sister Beth (Jim) Moyer as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Justina and David Epp; two brothers Walter Epp, Bruno Epp; and one sister Irene Stuart. After completing his teacher training dad married mom, Helen Heinrichs in 1958 at Herbert, Saskatchewan. They then taught in Saskatchewan for several years. In 1966, they settled in Medicine Hat and dad taught at Webster Niblock School for 33 years. After retiring, he and mom travelled to various parts of the world through cruises and bus trips. Throughout his life he enjoyed activities such as hiking, cross country skiing and playing all sorts of games. Dad was actively involved in Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church. More recently dad and mom volunteered with the Prairie Gleaners. Dad will be remembered as a loving husband, father, fun grandpa and faithful friend. Enjoy your room in your Father’s house, Dad.
The funeral service will be held in Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church (3785 13th Ave SE) on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Mark Bolender officiating. A private interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Victor Epp, 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

---

GEORGINA BLANCHARD

A personal tribute from her grandson started off the Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church this past Monday, honouring the life of Georgina (Jean) Blanchard. Her loving legacy will live on through her family and all those whose lives she touched

A lifetime of memories,
Time cherished together,
A living example
That a mother’s love is forever!

Her Life Lived…
Her Life Cherished…
Her Life Honoured.
Courtesy of
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

---

JOY ALMOND

Family and friends gathered together on Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church to honour the life of this remarkable lady. Forever loved in the hearts of those she knew, Joy will be dearly missed and her memory will not be forgotten.

“She had a strong faith,
In her Lord, Jesus Christ,
Now tending God’s garden,
Free of all her earthly strife”

Her Life Lived…
Her Life Cherished…
Her Life Honoured.
Courtesy of
Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455

---

SULLIVAN

Edith Sullivan of Medicine Hat passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the age of 92 years, beloved wife of the late Kenneth Sullivan. Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 12 noon to 12:55 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the S.P.C.A. – 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8E8 or the Good Samaritan Society c/o 550 Spruce Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4P1. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Edith Sullivan, 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

---

~ ANDREA CRAWFORD ~

NEE JORGENSON
March 15, 1928 – January 19, 2018

Andrea Crawford, beloved Mother and Grandmother, passed away peacefully in the arms of her daughter Dee, on January 19th, 2018 at the age of 89 years.
Her thoughtful, elegant, artistic spirit will be greatly missed by her daughters, Dee (Gordon) Wagner and Laur Crawford (Rick Stieben); her cherished granddaughter, Caitlyn Wagner; her sister, Aileen Burness; and her many nieces, nephews and friends.
Andrea was predeceased by her father Hilbert Jorgenson (born in Norway 1890; died in Edmonton 1932) and her mother Lorina McConvey Jorgenson (born in Vancouver, 1894; died in Edmonton, 1932), and even though her time with them was brief, she kept their loving memory alive throughout her life. She was also predeceased by her husband, Charles Hyslop Crawford, born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1919 and died in Powell River, BC in 1996.
Orphaned in the Great Depression, she suffered many hardships but persevered with grace and beauty and was fiercely independent. Her honesty and integrity were an inspiration, her wisdom was invaluable and her sense of humor was a joy.
Andrea had a marvelous, adventurous soul and loved travel, particularly road trips where she could drive and experience the full vista of nature before her. She documented every place and event in photos with her ever-present camera and this was her love letter to the people and places she treasured.
As a young woman she was very involved in amateur theatre on the west coast on stage and radio. She excelled at everything that interested her: fly fishing, tennis, sailing and golf in her younger years, and sewing, cooking and gardening as a stay at home Mother. When she went back to work, she had a successful career as a legal secretary for Suncor in Calgary, and during that time enjoyed the Opera and the Calgary Philharmonic with her best friend, Dorothy Hawley.
But what she was most proud of was being a Mum – she was thrilled to have a family of her own to express all the love and devotion she had longed for since her childhood, and we were blessed to always be her priority.
Andrea continued her love of reading philosophy, history and politics and her life-long passion of learning, and in her final days she could be seen wearing her headphones, listening to The Great Courses ‘The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works’ and jotting down quotations and scripture. She gained tremendous comfort from her favourite 23rd Psalm: ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me’…
Dr. Monty said she endured her final years of pain and infirmity without complaint and with her characteristic courage and dignity. A very heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nunweiler, Dr. Monty and all the wonderful staff at Riverview Care Centre for their exemplary care.

A Poem written by Andrea’s daughter Laur Crawford

If the sun does blind you
And no more does the rain glisten on the grey
I will float
over the road on the hill
to the cottage
By that lane I will hover
Feeling a picture you’ve given me

And when I pass through
the hawk shaped opening
of the clouds
I won’t remember the cliffs by the courses with you
But I will feel you missing
And drift on a flowing line
of birds to you
for your eyes are bright.

A Private Family Graveside Service for Andrea will be held in Edmonton at a later date. Cards of condolence may be sent to Caitlyn or Dee Wagner at 1803 – 20 Ave. S.E. Medicine Hat, T1A 3X6, and condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Andrea Crawford. 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.

---

30
-29