December 3, 2019

By Obituaries on December 3, 2019.

1936 ~ VIOLET “VI” ANTONIUK ~ 2019

It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our dear mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Violet leaves to mourn her daughters, Cheryl Lewis (Robert) and Laurie Blaney (Reg) as well as her beloved granddaughters, Carrie Lewis, Kristi Lewis, Jillian Frankson (Ryan) and Paige Blaney (Kyle Brown). She is survived by two sisters, Alice Heinrich and Anne Durr, and many nieces and nephews. Violet was predeceased by her husband of sixty years, Donald, as well as six brothers and two sisters.
Violet was a remarkable person who was truly a modern woman. She grew up in tough times on a farm near Golden Prairie and later moved to Medicine Hat to attend secondary school. Vi was an excellent student and excelled in her studies and sports. Lack of funds did not permit the fulfillment of her dream of becoming a teacher. Instead, after marriage, Vi worked full time as a bookkeeper for various dairies while raising two daughters to become independent women. She instilled in them a hard work ethic and a love of learning; with her support always a constant, both became teachers. An excellent cook, Vi made home-cooked meals and baked pies that were the envy of the town of Redcliff. She hosted family and friends for every holiday occasion. Her house was always meticulous as were her large vegetable gardens and flower beds. She like to read mysteries and watch curling and hockey and to play cards; she travelled extensively while good health permitted. Violet was a very sociable person who loved to chat. Parties, music, and dancing filled Saturday nights. She and her sisters, all with beautiful voices, sang like angels, harmonizing as their brothers played musical instruments. For the last three years, her favourite evenings at the Wellington were spent listening to old time bands that played for the residents. When her granddaughters were born, Vi’s heart blossomed with her love for them and continued to grow as they did. She cuddled and coddled them from cradle to grown young ladies. Their best memories include visits to grandpa’s and grandma’s house. A private celebration of Violet’s life will be held at al later date. Donations in Violet’s name may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Violet Antoniuk. 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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MAVIS POULSEN

August 20, 1924 ~ November 29, 2019

It is with saddened hearts we share the Fond Farewell of ‘Gramma Mae’ as she was known to so many. Mavis O. Poulsen passed away in Medicine Hat, Alberta, on Friday, November 30, 2019, at the age of 95 years, surrounded with love and music. She leaves to cherish her memory her Alberta family, Maureen (Bob) Laidlaw and their children Heather (Rob) Hart (Ryler, Chase, Levi, Kassidy); Karla (Garth) Porteous (Kiara, Landon (Kale in Heaven), Makaya); Wes (Lydia) Laidlaw (William); Janice (Jess) Donahue (Megan, Brady) and her son’s Florida family, the late Jerry (Crystal) Olson and their children, Kathryn (Brad) Morem (Luke, Grant) and Courtney (Vivian) Olson (Sebastian). She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Beckerleg; brother, Bunny Harry (Gail) Johnson; brother-in-law, Bruce Olson; sister-in-law, Jane Ballard as well as extended family and friends. Mavis was predeceased by her parents, Violetta and Harry Johnson.
Mavis lived an extraordinary life in her 95 trips around the sun! The key to her longevity was not her diet, it was that she blossomed wherever she was planted. She had an adventurous spirit, and was always an optimist at heart. On a cold and rainy day, she would always say, “I think the sun is going to shine!”
She was born in Salmon Arm, BC, and grew up in Airdrie and Calgary. Together with her husband, Jerry, they raised a family in the 1950’s Happy Day Era. After her husband, Jerry, passed away in a church maintenance accident, she worked at The Great Falls National Bank. In 1974, she married Russell (Swede) Poulsen, who shortly after passed away in a single-engine plane crash. In 1980, she married George Johnson, and life took them to Scottsdale, AZ, for a few years before his passing. She remained in the Sunny South where she enjoyed 29 years of Jerry’s family, baseball games, Valley Presbyterian Church, the McCormick Ranch Women, scoring for the PGA and following the AZ Coyotes. During these years, she traveled the world, but she was always the happiest sitting around a table with her family and friends. In 2009 and with dual citizenship, she moved back to Medicine Hat to live by her daughter and her family. While enjoying all the family’s school, music, and sporting events, she became a Red Hat Lady along with Maureen that developed into a real sisterhood. At 92, she enrolled in the Cyber Senior Course so she could send and receive pictures and messages from near and far. She loved pictures! With her Wellington Family, she was the BINGO Queen and she liked working at the Tuck Shop. She enjoyed Mondays with Marten, Sunday afternoon church, reading with the school children, going to the band concerts and enjoying coffee afterwards.
Mom will be remembered for her generosity, finding the “in things” before they were in. Her passion was knitting beautiful lace baby shawls for all her great-grands; sewing lovely clothes in her younger days; baking cinnamon rolls, cakes, and chocolate chip cookies; loving to iron and garden; being the best cheerleader for one and all, always having a soft spot for children, and touching everyone’s lives in a special way! She was a Grand and Classy Lady with beautiful dimples. She was loved and will be greatly missed by all!
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th St. SW, Medicine Hat, on Sunday, December 8, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Great Falls, MT, on a warm and sunny day.
Memorial donations in Mavis’ name may be made directly to the Town of Bow Island Library Fund, PO Box 100, Bow Island, AB, T0K 0G0. Mom loved the little children so the funds will be used to help complete the new outdoor library solarium during the summer of 2020. (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

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WICKENHEISER

Margaret Wickenheiser of Medicine Hat passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at the age of 95 years, beloved wife of the late Bernard Wickenheiser. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Coreen Wickenheiser (fiancé Brian Doll) and Jeff (Valerie) Wickenheiser. Those who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Family and friends will gather for prayers in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated in the Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road SE) on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Vijaya Bathineni officiating. A private family interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the “halo” c/o Southern Alberta Medic Air Society, #12 49 Viscount Ave SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5G4. Please make cheques payable to Southern Alberta Medic Air Society. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Margaret Wickenheiser, 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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