October 7, 2022

By Obituaries on October 7, 2022.

JACOB BLATZ

JACOB “JACK” ANTHONY VINCENT BLATZ December 27, 1952 – October 2, 2022 Jacob “Jack” Anthony Vincent Blatz of Medicine Hat, AB, formerly of Bow Island, AB, passed away, after a heroic battle with cancer, on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the age of 69 years.
Jack was a wonderful person, who enjoyed life and loved to share his wit and smile with everyone. He tried out a number of different ventures during his life, travelling and working at jobs he enjoyed. He would often spend time visiting, travelling, or living with friends and family. He also had a deep love for his Savior Jesus Christ.
Later in life, he met his wife Linda and they had a daughter Katrina, whom they both loved so very much. Jack continued still with different jobs, doing ceramics, autobody, catering and to his surprise, teaching school. In love and unity of faith, he and Linda enjoyed family life and they continued to always keep in touch with family and friends. If you wanted to know what someone was doing, you could always ask Jack.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Linda; daughter Katrina Blatz of Medicine Hat; siblings Theresa (Frank) Tradler of Red Deer, Dianne (Jerry) Duff of Oliver, BC, Geraldine (Charles) Marple of Edmonton, Warren (Colleen) Blatz of Oliver, BC, Glen (Marcia) Blatz of Bawlf, Christine (Blair) Richmond of Edmonton, and Doug Blatz of Gull Lake; and sister-in-law Bonnie Blatz of Sylvan Lake.
Jack was predeceased by his parents Wendelin and Mary Blatz, and brother Gerry Blatz.
A prayer vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, 3605 50 St Camrose with Father Joe Kalathilparambil as celebrant. The service will be live-streamed, recorded, and accessible at the following link: https://stfxcamrose.caedm.ca/. Interment will take place in the Camrose Valleyview Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the Mustard Seed 503A Allowance Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3E4.
To send condolences, please visit http://www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
Burgar Funeral Home Camrose & Daysland (4817 51 Ave, Camrose, Alberta T4V 0V4) in care of arrangements. 780-672-2121 “Dedicated service since 1906”

RYK PRINS

RYK PRINS 1928 2022 Ryk Prins, of Foremost, beloved husband of Sybil Prins and father of John (Jan), Aafke, and Elaine, went home to be with the Lord on October 4, 2022, at the age of 93 years. Ryk was born on October 23, 1928, in Rinusmageest, Netherlands. He spent his early years helping on the Prins’ family farmstead, a formative time to nurture his passion for the farming industry. To follow said passion, at the young age of 25, Ryk first came to Canada on the Dutch emigrant ship the Groote Beer, docking in Halifax, before proceeding to Saskatoon for a farming apprenticeship. Several years later, he returned to the Netherlands and met his soon-to-be wife, Sybil. It was love at first sight, and as a result, a short courtship. After a just two-week holiday with Sybil, Ryk was provided the blessing from her father to marry his daughter. Sybil followed Ryk to Canada, and they were married on Victoria Island, BC, in 1961, eventually settling in Foremost, Alberta, and buying their first farm in 1965. During his time in Foremost, Ryk was actively involved in the community and Burdett Christian Reformed Church. The Prins family moved to Lethbridge in 1996, where Ryk continued to volunteer his time and energy with the Marantha Christian Reformed Church, as well as local food banks, helping fundraise for Bibles for Missions, and being a participating member of thLethbridge Christian Men’s Choir. A pillar of strength for his family, and a shining beacon of faith in the Lord, we will always carry his memory in our hearts. Ryk is survived by Sybil, his wife of 61 years; children Jan Prins (Jana), Aafke (Troy) Loney, and Elaine (Bruce) Wind; 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and three sisters. A Viewing will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, October 14, 2022 at MARANATHA CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 260 McGill Blvd W, Lethbridge, Alberta with Pastor Jim Zondervan, officiating. A private family Interment will be held prior in the Foremost Cemetery.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.

VALERIE LEE BRAATEN

VALERIE LEE BRAATEN May 21, 1953 ~ September 30, 2022
It is with the heaviest of hearts that Valerie’s family announce her passing on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the age of 69 years at St. Joseph’s – Home Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat. Val was born in Cabri, SK. on May, 21, 1953, to parents, Robert and Marjorie Braaten (nee Murphy) and grew up in the farming community of Abbey, SK. As a young girl, Val was a member of Girl Guides and enjoyed participating in many other community activities. Being a strong student, after graduating from Abbey High School Val went on to complete her B.A. of Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan. Soon after, she moved to Calgary where she worked as a Residential Support Worker for individuals with developmental disabilities. Much like her mother, Val had a wry sense of humour and loved to laugh, was very caring and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family – especially her sisters, Abby and Marcia. Val was unique and walked her own path through life. In her later years, Val became passionate about mysticism, searching for a higher perspective of her spiritual journey on earth and was incredibly connected to Mother Earth through the study of Shamanism and Reiki. Val loved photography and gardening, dabbled in pottery, enjoyed listening to Pink Floyd, played the accordion as a child, and was an avid reader of both fiction and science fiction. She liked to express her spirituality through art and has shared many of her paintings with family and friends. In 2007, Val moved to Medicine Hat to live with her sister Marcia and be closer to her sister Abby and their families. She embraced making new friends and undertook new hobbies/interests. Val was a very determined individual and persevered through several life set backs such as being injured in two car accidents, one at the age of 13 and a second at age 57, as well as the passing of her two younger brothers in their early years. To cherish her memory, Valerie leaves behind her sisters, Abby Christine Prokop (nee Braaten) and her husband, Bob Prokop, Marcia Jane Stodalka (nee Braaten), as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their children, many cousins, aunts and uncles, all of whom were very special to Val. She was predeceased by her mother, Marjorie Jean Braaten; father, Robert Allen Braaten as well as her brothers, Gregory Allen Brazen and Donald Robert Braaten. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the wonderful care received by Val from the physicians and many other health care professionals at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital in the last weeks of her journey. A celebration of Val’s life may be held at a later date, at which time family and friends will be notified. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Val’s name may be made directly to the Medicine Hat Public Library, 414 – 1 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0A8. Honoured to serve the family is

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

MICHAEL RANGER

1949 ~ MICHAEL RANGER ~ 2022
Michael John Ranger of Medicine Hat passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the age of 73 years. Cremation has been entrusted to Pattison Funeral Home. To leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.

PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

KENNETH COLLINS

1934 ~ KENNETH COLLINS ~ 2022 Kenneth William Collins of Medicine Hat passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the age of 88 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. To leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

GREGORY JANS

1961 ~ GREGORY JANS ~ 2022
Gregory Wayne Jans passed away on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the age of 61 years, beloved husband of Sharon Jans of Medicine Hat. Cremation has been entrusted to the Pattison Funeral Home. To leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

DAVID LETKEMAN

1937 ~ DAVID LETKEMAN ~ 2022
David Jacob Letkeman passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the age of 85 years, beloved husband of Mary Letkeman of Medicine Hat. No formal funeral service will be held but a remembrance of David with family and close friends to take place in November. To leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

DENNIS CRAIG SHANNON

DENNIS CRAIG SHANNON November 24, 1931 ~ October 1, 2022
Craig, beloved husband of Jeannette Shannon (Wandrei) for 36 years, passed away in Medicine Hat at the age of 90. Born an only child in Estevan, Saskatchewan, he was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Olive Shannon. He leaves behind his three children, Linda (Lawrence) Gordon of Medicine Hat, Donna Shannon (Peter Sauter) of Calgary, Raymond (Loreen) Shannon of Medicine Hat; four grandchildren, David (Maja) Gordon of Calgary, Heather ‘Rayann’ Gordon (Scott Merriam) of Victoria, Andrew and Emily Shannon of Medicine Hat; three great grandchildren, Katherine and Evan Gordon of Calgary and Luliea Gordon- Merriam of Victoria. He is also remembered by Jeannette’s family, Jenifer Gilman (Steve) of Clayton, Wisconsin, Scott Drackert (Tamie) of Minneapolis, Mark Drackert (Patricia) of Sugarland, Texas, Timothy Drackert (Marianne Davis) of Rice Lake, Wisconsin as well as Jeannette’s numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In his youth, Craig joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets learning to fly a Tiger Moth before he could drive! A man of many hobbies, his activities included operating amateur ham radios, playing the saxophone, flying radio-controlled airplanes, curling, golfing (even building golf courses), fishing (everywhere possible including all the “secret” streams in Southwestern Saskatchewan) and travelling.

Craig retired in Maple Creek from the Bank of Montreal in 1985 after 36 years of service at the age of 53. He relocated to Medicine Hat with Jeannette, adding gardening to his list of hobbies, to enjoy “sailing along” in their beautiful Riverside home.

A sincere thank you to the staff of River Ridge Seniors Village for their past three years of care, support and their many stories of Craig’s antics, humour, story-telling and perpetual note-writing. A private family Wake will be held in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Craig can do so with a donation to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Clinic or the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta. To leave a message of condolence you may visit
http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com,

PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

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