June 5, 2021

1929 ~ JOSEPH LUTZ ~ 2021

Joseph Andrew Lutz of Medicine Hat, passed away on Monday, May 31st, 2021 at the age of 91 years. The Funeral Service was held yesterday at Holy Family Parish 1451 Strachan Road SE MEDICINE HAT, AB T1B 4V3. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Joseph Lutz. Funeral 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.

BEN VELNER

Bernardus Johannes Velner, of Medicine Hat Alberta, met an unexpected, untimely passing May 31,2021 at the young age of 79.

Ben was predeceased by wife Donna, and is survived by daughter Deanna (Andre) and grandson Nathan; his son Michael (Alix), plus several brothers, sisters, and their families who reside all over Europe. Also mourning his loss are his companions, Tonka and Tula (Boxer dogs)

Ben came from Holland in 1968 to stay for a year, to seek adventure and to enjoy the freedom of the open prairie landscape. He never left, and met and married the love of his life Donna and settled in Medicine Hat to raise a family.

Along his journeys, he made many friends, and without hesitation would give the shirt off his back for them.

He had a passion for carpentry and shared his skillset and experiences with son Michael. For decades, they worked together.

A creative spark ran through his veins. He crafted artwork of nature’s inhabitants with wood inlay, stained glass, and tile and stone mosaic. Many of these works adorn walls and floors of his custom built family home. He wasn’t happy unless he was creating something!

Keeping with his Dutch gardening background, his passions were his park-like yard and museum of unique cacti and rocks. Involved with nature conversation, he was a member of Society of Grasslands Naturalists. Birdwatching and exploration of wilderness inspired numerous wordly travels He lived life to the fullest, never wasting an opportunity!

As Husband, Father, Opa (grandfather), Brother, Friend, and Mentor, Ben will never be forgotten, only loved, admired and looked up to. Rest in Peace, Ben. Your strength and kindness will live on. Our respect and love will forever be yours!!

Messages of condolences may be sent to ben.velner@gmail.com.

A celebration of Ben’s life will occur at a future date, potentially July 2, 2021. Details to follow.

DIETZ

 

Albert Dietz took his final ride in his beloved mustang to his resting place at Hillside Cemetery. This past Tuesday, tears were shed as Albert’s granddaughter, Kennedy, shared a heartfelt tribute about a man who will never be forgotten and memories that will be forever cherished.

 

Our lives have been bountiful,

He taught us how to give,

In his firm and steadfast way,

He taught us how to live.

 

His Life Lived…

His Life Cherished…

His Life Honoured.

 

Courtesy of

 

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”

DONALD CROSS

1959 ~ 2021

 

Mr. Donald Frederick Cross, beloved husband of Kitty, passed away at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the age of 61 years. Due to current health restrictions, the Service, will be by invitation only. The Celebration of Don’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel in Medicine Hat on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Those wishing to join the family virtually and experience both the Chapel Celebration and Graveside Service are invited to watch via live-stream and may do so by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com and selecting the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. (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”

HELEN MARJORIE ‘MARJ’ MONCRIEFF

 

October 3, 1945 ~ May 31, 2021

 

Helen Marjorie “Marj” Moncrieff, beloved wife of David, passed away at the Bow Island Health Centre on Monday, May 31, 2021, at the age of 75 years. Along with David, Marj is survived by her daughter, Dr. Kathleen; son James; daughter-in-law, Kelly; grandchildren, Ben and Tom; sister, Pat (Lazlo) as well as her brother, Murray (Mary) and their children Emily, Ro, Scott and Andy. Marj was predeceased by her parents, Sid and Helen Dineen as well as her brother, Bill Dineen. Marjorie was born in Edmonton, Alberta. A city girl, she learned to love the wide open prairies and the beautiful, friendly town of Bow Island, where she lived for 30 years. She had many friends and strong community affiliations. Marj retired from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, where she was an instructor in Medical Laboratory Sciences. She was a microbiologist, educated at the University of Alberta and Brigham Young University. Earlier in her career she worked as a lab tech in the Alberta Provincial Lab in Edmonton, where her favourite part of her job was mycology. She was a passionate educator and proud that her pancreatic cancer had been diagnosed by one of her daughter’s family medicine residents on his rural rotation and she was so happy each time a nursing student, medical student, or resident, took care of her during her illness. It made her feel good to know that she was teaching the next generation of healthcare workers, even as a patient. Marj took up “politics” in Bow Island, serving as a Town Councilor, Prairie Rose School Board member, Bow Island Library Board member and chair, member of the Alberta School Boards Association, Shortgrass Library Board member and many other volunteer activities. Marj was very bright, creative and artistic. She was spiritual and determined in fighting for causes she believed in. She became more involved in creative and artistic endeavors when time allowed and her children were older. She was an accomplished water colourist, wood worker, knitter, photographer, played the organ in church and was a great cook. Marj won a trip to Spokane to demonstrate her delicious zucchini cake on the KSPS PBS station. Her zest for life matched her love for people, puppies and guinea pigs. Nothing pleased Marj more than time (or video chatting) with her grandchildren. She was a force on this earth and her kindness and spirit of generosity had no bounds. Marj was a traveler in her early years spending many summers in England, Scotland, and Ireland. She even took a few wrong turns on a road trip in Northern Ireland during the “troubles,” ending up with an armed escort back across the border! Marj was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She joined the church as a teenager after hearing a church radio broadcast that talked about a Mother and Father in Heaven and families being together forever and wanting to find out more because this made sense and felt true to her. She was a hopeful and faithful person. A special thank you to the staff of the Bow Island Health Centre for their tender loving care who took care of her physically and emotionally during the last month as her illness progressed to a level where the only treatment left to pursue, was love and comfort. Thank you for your nursing care, for putting her lotion and chapstick on her, for holding her hand, for sitting with her and for reassuring her that she didn’t need to worry about how to get to Heaven. Thank you to her friends who came to be with her and her family every day. There is no more chemotherapy or cancer or pain where she is now (and according to her, there would be no more Jello either!), and we know she is there reuniting with friends and family who have gone before her and preparing places for the rest of us that she had to leave behind. Til we meet again. Due to current health restrictions, the Funeral Celebration will be by invitation only. The Celebration of Marj’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. Interment will follow in the peaceful surroundings of the Bow Island Cemetery. Those wishing to join the family virtually and experience the Chapel Service are invited to watch via live-stream and may do so by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com and selecting the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. In lieu of flowers, we ask that anyone who wants to pay tribute to Marj, consider donating to Pancreatic Cancer Canada in her honour (pancreaticcancercanada.ca) and take some time to enjoy your family and your favourite food and activities together. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting 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”