February 29, 2020

By Destinee Mattson on February 29, 2020.

1160 Obituaries

1934 ~ LAWRENCE KVIST ~ 2020

Mr. Lawrence Sanford “Lawrie” Kvist of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Patsy Kvist, passed away on Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 at the age of 85 years. Lawrie leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Cheryl Scarlett, Deanna McNab and Valerie Beauchamp and their families; stepdaughter, Erica Kelly and family; and stepson, Brandon Stone and his family. Lawrence was predeceased by his parents, Gustav and Gladys Kvist; and one sister, Jean Griffiths. Lawrie had a very busy and fulfilling life, balancing his careers with his love of both winter and summer sports. Before joining the Edmonton Fire Department, Lawrie held careers in banking, the oilfield industry, and at General Motors (GMAC). During his time with the Fire Department Lawrie played in the marching band and found time to refinish classic cars and renovate homes. He also built a camper so that he could go anywhere at any time. After his retirement in 1991, Lawrie went to work at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as a tour guide. In 1996, Lawrie and Patsy began a new chapter in their lives, making the decision to live in their RV near Yuma for six months of the year. Many hours were spent hiking in the desert and spending time with his much beloved cousin, Gordon. It was also here that Lawrie began his love affair with wood carving. During the warmer months of spring and summer, Lawrie and Patsy made Osoyoos, BC their base for volunteering as campground hosts for BC Parks. In 1999, they settled in Osoyoos as Lawrie’s health began to fail. Lawrie fought through a bout of cancer but was then diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2007. It was this diagnosis that spurred their move to Medicine Hat to be closer to their family. Once settled, Lawrie started swimming mornings at Crestwood Pool where he met new friends who remained even after the effects of Parkinson’s required him to give up swimming. Lawrie joined the Parkinson Group here in Medicine Hat and made friends with many great people who loved to visit and go for lunches and coffee. He will be deeply missed and remembered for his kindness, dry wit, good conversations, and willingness to always help out when and where needed. A Come and Go Celebration of Lawrie’s life will be held at ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, 702 – 2nd Street SE, on Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Donations in Lawrie’s memory may be made to the Edmonton Firefighter’s Burn Treatment Society, Suite 1, 7024 – 101 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2N2. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Lawrie Kvist. 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.

---

1947 ~ JOHN HITTEL ~ 2020

John Ivan Hittel passed away on Saturday February 22, 2020 at the age of 72 years, beloved husband of Connie Hittel of Medicine Hat. He also leaves to cherish his memory two children, Sean (Somchay) of Calgary, and Kendra Hittel of Medicine Hat, four grandchildren, Karl, Marcus, Jonathon, and Kaidryan; three brothers and two sisters, Ron (Debbie) Hittel of Saskatoon, Bernadette (Tom) Domagala of Medicine Hat, Angie Steciw of Okotoks, Wayne (Shelley) Hittel of Leader and Gerard (Tammy) Hittel of Medicine Hat as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Anne Hittel, one sister-in-law, Irene Hittel and one brother-in law, Dennis Steciw. At John’s request no service will be held. Cremation and a private family ceremony will take place at a future date. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: John Hittel, 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

---

---

LAURA TUCHSCHERER

1935 – 2020

Laura Marie Tuchscherer, beloved wife of the late Mike Tuchscherer, passed away peacefully with family at her side in Bow Island on Monday, February 24, 2020 at the age of 84 years.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 – 1 Street East, Bow Island on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1113 – 1 Street East, Bow Island on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. A private burial service will follow at the Bow Island Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at http://www.southlandfuneral.com.

Laura is survived by her five children Lyle (Bonné) Tuchscherer of Bow Island and their children Andrea (Eric) Lodders and Richele (Jeff) Staseson; Wendy Torscher (Darwin Rowland) of Milk River and her children Stephen (Suzanne) Torscher and Ryan (Kelly) Torscher; Glen Tuchscherer of Bow Island, Lloyd Tuchscherer of La Crete and Laurie (Roy) Matz of Grassy Lake and their children Owen Matz (Kaylea McKenna) and Megan (Thomas) Thiessen. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren and one on the way. She will be remembered by her sister Leona Dutcher and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by Mike, her loving husband of fifty seven years, her parents John and Irma Baesen as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law.

Laura was born in Edmonton on May 9, 1935. She was raised in Drumheller and later attended business school and enjoyed working at a bank in Calgary. She met Mike at her parents boarding house in Drumheller. They were married on June 10, 1953 in Calgary, then moved to the Bow Island area where they started farming south of town. In 1960, they bought land ten miles north of town, built a house and continued raising their family.

Laura was very active in many volunteer organizations over the years, including The Women’s Institute, Red Cross and The Heart and Stroke Foundation. She was a charter member of The Bow Island Catholic Women’s League, joining in 1954.

Laura enjoyed travelling and making new friends, especially while attending Lions Club functions with Mike. She maintained relationships with her list of more than one hundred penpals for several decades. Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting, dancing, playing cards, curling and of course gardening, canning and pickling.

Laura and Mike retired and moved into town in 1990. She remained in the house after losing Mike in 2010 then moved to the Pleasant View Lodge in 2014. Her last several months were spent in the Bow Island Health Centre where she will be remembered by the staff for her sense of humour and sarcasm.

Laura will forever be remembered for her caring heart and love of family and friends.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Laura’s name may be made directly to the Bow Island and District Health Foundation, Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0. Your donation can be designated to your choice of either the Palliative Care Unit or Long Term Care.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the doctors and nursing staff for their never ending care.

---

TRAVIS BAKER

1979 ~ 2020

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Travis James Baker announce his passing in Medicine Hat on Monday, February 24, 2020, at the age of 40 years. Further announcements will follow upon completion of the arrangements. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 http://www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”

---

VALERIE SONNTAG

1950 ~ 2020

Valerie Dawna Sonntag of Medicine Hat, AB., passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at the age of 70 years. Val was born in Quebec and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. She worked for years in the hospitality industry where she obtained her Food & Safety certificate, as well as working several years in the Travel industry and Parks & Recreation. Val loved reading, doing word search puzzles, hand held pac-man video games, cooking and was an avid Calgary Flames fan. She often spoke of her memories of Lac Des Isles and enjoyed sitting on the beach in the evenings by herself listening to the beautiful Loons including watching the squirrels scamper by. Val had a quiet faith as a Christian which was important to her. The family will miss her sarcastic, witty, sensitive and fun loving personality. Val’s memory will be forever treasured in the hearts of her children, Melinda Taylor of Bow Island, AB., Lori (Dean) Wallgren of Edgerton, AB., and Steven Sonntag of Goodsoil, SK.; as well as the father of her children, James Henry Sonntag; grandchildren, Amanda, Jennifer, Jason, Brant and Alana; siblings, Bev Muff of Whitehorse, Yukon and Donald Beahm of Vernon, BC. She was predeceased by her mother, Dawna Beahm. The family will honour their mother’s life with a private service in the Summer of 2020. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is 

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 http://www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”

---

30
-29