May 7, 2019

By Obituaries on May 7, 2019.

1918 ~ Irene Eaton ~ 2019

Irene Eaton of Medicine Hat, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4th, 2019, at the age of 100 years. She leaves behind to cherish her memory nephews, nieces, and friends. Irene was predeceased by her loving husband, Walter “Mike” Eaton; her parents, Herman and Louise Schneider; and her brothers, William Arthur “Bill” (Edna) Schneider, Kenneth (Mary) Schneider, Milbert (Noami) Schneider, and Hector (Vi) Schneider. Born at Surprise, SK, on August 2nd, 1918, Irene was the eldest daughter of Herman and Louise Schneider. After taking a hairdressing course in Calgary, AB, she moved to Medicine Hat, AB, in 1942. In 1944, she met Mike while he was serving in the Air Force and stationed in Ft. Nelson, BC. On November 2nd, 1946, they were married in Schuler, AB. They made their home in Medicine Hat and Irene continued her hairdressing career until 1953. Irene kept busy with her many hobbies and sports; Irene loved bowling and watching hockey and baseball. She volunteered many hours with the Cancer Clinic and was active in her church. Irene served as the treasurer of the Ladies Aid for 25 years and served as President in 1986. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so on Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 1Z5 or on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 from 12:00 to 12:55 p.m. at ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 515 Sprague Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4A7. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019, at ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Ken Edel officiating. Memorial gifts in Irene’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 or St. Paul Lutheran’s Building fund or charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Irene Eaton 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.

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FRIESEN

Walter Herman Friesen, age 88, of Medicine Hat, Alberta passed away peacefully on April 30, 2019, surrounded by family. He was born to Bernhard M and Katherina (Boschman) Friesen, on March 7, 1931 in their farmhouse near Rosthern, SK with his maternal grandmother as the midwife. Walter grew up surrounded by twelve siblings and a large extended family that he loved dearly. He attended Eigenheim Mennonite Church where he began his lifelong relationship with God. Education was important to him and he completed degrees in Agriculture, Psychiatric Nursing and Teaching, eventually earning his Masters of Education. While attending summer school at the University of Saskatchewan, Walter met fellow teacher, Margaret Melashenko. They were married in 1967 and taught together in Edmonton and the Cayman Islands. Eventually they moved to Brooks, AB where they taught and lived for almost 50 years, and raised their three children. Walter was fascinated with God’s creation and passed on his love of nature to his Biology students, and to his family as they hiked and camped together during summers. He loved to travel and at a young age explored Europe alone on a motorcycle. Walter and Margaret also travelled to many countries. Their favorite destinations were Germany, Russia, Israel and Greece. Getting together with extended family was a priority and they drove many times to Saskatoon area to enjoy gathering with relatives. He is survived by his wife, Margaret and his children & grandchildren: Sheryl (David), Kenaniah & Kayley Schnare; Bruce (Lucia), Lucas & Anna Friesen; Laurie (Arnold), Kiera & Garrett Burkholder. He is predeceased by his parents, numerous extended family members and his grandson, Kristopher Schnare. The Funeral Service will be held at the Brooks Evangelical Free Church (625 8th Street West, Brooks, AB) on Friday May 10 at 2:00 PM. There will be a Memorial Service on Saturday June 1 at 2:00 PM at Chinook Village (2801 13th Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB) in the Terrace room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada at http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca (1-866-302-3362), or the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation at http://www.myhealthfoundation.ca (designate to Geriatric Unit 2 North). For further information, to leave a message of sympathy or to light a candle in memory of Walter, please visit http://www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.

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HOLT, Gordon

– Mr. Gordon Holt, a 54 year member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 496, passed away May 2nd, 2019. The Officers, Members & Staff extend their deepest sympathy.

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JACQUELINE GIBSON

1917 ~ 2019

Our beloved mother, Jacqueline Collette (nee Swinney) Gibson passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at the grand age of 102 years. Jackie was born in Fort McLeod on January 29, 1917, and raised in the farming and ranching community of Pincher Creek, surrounded by her parents, both sets of her loving grandparents, many cousins, aunts and uncles. She loved the farming and ranching life, as it afforded freedom to ride the open prairies, and get into all kinds of fun and mischief with her many cousins. Jackie was a great dancer, horse back rider, learned piano and violin, and was a consummate seamstress, an art she learned from her mother, Vernal. Her rose garden was often admired in Medicine Hat and she loved to get out every spring to help all of her flowers grow. She fell in love and married Herbert Douglas Gibson on August 23, 1939, and sent him many care packages and letters during his time of service in WWII. They loved each other very much until his death in 1979. As a mom, she loved to sew for her two adventurous daughters, Vicki and Kelly, play clothes and dresses for their Sunday best. She saw to it that her girls always had what they needed, even curling their hair with old fashioned hairdressers’ curling irons, and encouraged their talents with music, art lessons, guidance in sewing and fine needlework, church activities and was our Primary teacher in the LDS faith. To this day we use those talents. Always busy, Jackie loved her friends and neighbours and was always ready to help them out when called upon.
Mother was an advocate of animals rights and their welfare. So concerned that she once took a man to court for beating his little pony who was unable to pull a fully loaded rock sled. She won the case! Always a fighter for good, mother never gave up on anything. Even at 102, she held her own. On the day before her passing she had got up, dressed and walked out to her favourite sitting chair at Legacy Lodge, to read and watch the weather out of the garden window. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to the Legacy Lodge staff who tenderly tended to mom and all her needs for the past 5 years. They are exceptional! She is survived by her two daughters, Vicki Kathleen Gibson of Lethbridge, AB, and Kelly Allisandra Groom of Roberts Creek, BC. as well as her grandson, Neil Groom of Roberts Creek, BC. Jackie was predeceased by her husband, Herbert Gibson; her mother, Vernal Swinney; father, John P. Swinney; baby sister, Mary Leah Swinney as well as many family and friends who loved her. A Celebration of Jacqueline’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to mom’s favorite charities for nature and animals; the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Indian Battle Road South, Lethbridge or your local SPCA. (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

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RATH

Marjorie Doreen Rath passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2019, at the age of 82 years, beloved wife of Ed Rath. Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Arthritis Society of Alberta or the Canadian Diabetes Association. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Marjorie Rath, 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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