February 18, 2023
By Obituaries on February 18, 2023.
IRENE FRENCH
IRENE FRENCH June 5, 1938 ~ February 12, 2023
Irene Anna French passed away in Medicine Hat on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the age of 84. Irene was born to John and Mollie Stovka on their farm south of Vidora, SK., on June 5, 1938. The family later moved to the village of Vidora and then to a farm north of Consul, SK. Irene took her schooling in Vidora as well as one year at Washington State when she was 13 before attending high school in Consul. When she was done school, she moved to Maple Creek where she worked as a telephone operator. She and John French eloped to Havre, Montana on December 22, 1956. When they were first married, they lived in a road construction camp near Eastend, where Johnnie worked and then relocated to Consul where they stayed until 1998. Irene worked as a telephone operator for Dorothy Hester and later Agnes Johnson. In 1972, she became the Consul Postmaster, a position she held for over 25 years. In her early years, she played ball with the Consul Ladies and was an avid curler, winning many bonspiels in the surrounding area. She was a self-taught cook, seamstress and knitter, excelling at all of them. She also could be considered a finishing carpenter, finishing jobs around the house that Johnnie started. Irene and Johnnie had two children: Gloria Lynn and Kenneth Gordon. She sewed many skating costumes for Gloria and watched many of Ken’s hockey games. She was a devoted and loving mother, and later on, grandmother. In 1998, Johnnie and Irene retired and moved to Medicine Hat where they regularly enjoyed having coffee at the mall. If their kids came from out of town to visit, they knew that at 3:00 p.m., that’s where you would find them. They also enjoyed visiting the casino. Irene blamed Johnnie for this, but she liked to gamble a little herself. Irene was a devoted caregiver to Johnnie, first at home and then later when he moved to Good Sam’s. After Johnnie passed away, she spent a few years at home before moving to assisted living at Good Samaritan Village. Four months ago, she moved to the Riverview Care Facility. Along with Johnnie, Irene was predeceased by two great-grandsons, Bodhi and Anthony Kinch; her parents; four brothers, Leslie, Larry, Dale and Don as well as one sister, Betty. She was also predeceased by her brothers-in-law, Paddy and Joe French; sister-in-law, Annie and brother-in-law, Bill Hackman. Irene is survived by her children, Gloria (Duane) Illerbrun and Ken (Brenda) French; Gloria’s children, Stephanie (Travis) Nelson, Melanie (Kyle) Stevenson and Kendra (Alex) Kinch; Ken’s children, Jeff (Jessica) French and Blaine (Lissette) French as well as her great-grandchildren, Ava, Sadie, Mia, Karis, Declin, Lexi, Hannah, Emma, Wyatt, Nora, Waylon, Gunner, Hank and Cliff. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary (John) Chuckry, Barb Hackman and Sherrill (Gerry) Kuckartz; sisters-in-law, Saloma French, Carol Stovka and Eva Stovka as well as several nieces and nephews. Family wish to express their appreciation to the staff at Riverview Care Centre for the kind and professional care provided to their mother over the past 4 months. The Celebration of Irene’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, February 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Father Francis Tran officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery with a time of fellowship thereafter in the Cook Southland Reception Facility. (Condolences may be expressed through 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”
SARA UNGER
SARA UNGER July 2nd, 1934 – February 13th, 2023
Sara Unger passed away on February 13th, 2023, at the age of 88 years. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Sylvia (Mark) Jantzen, Vivian (Tom) Fry and Donna Ginther; son, David Unger; grandchildren, Theresa Jantzen Reed, Erica Jantzen Fraser, Craig Jantzen, Jonathan Pulyk, Karen Ginther, Stephanie Ginther, Tyrell Unger and Courtney Unger; 9 great grandchildren; brothers, Johnny Voth and Jake Voth (Sophie); sister, Rose Faulkner. Sara was predeceased in 1996 by her husband, Abe Unger; two brothers and two sisters.
Sara’s family is very grateful for the care that she was given by the amazing people at Chinook Village and The Wellington during her last number of years.
A Celebration of Life will take place in the spring. Donations in Sara’s memory may be made to the Canadian Lung Association by visiting http://www.lung.ca. Condolences may be made at http://www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by
Grace Memorial Affordable Burial & Cremation 1924 10th Ave N.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5 http://www.gracememorial.com 403-905-0440
JOAN ZIMMERMAN
JOAN ZIMMERMAN Joan Marie Zimmerman passed away in Calgary on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 73 years. Private Interment has taken place. (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”
TERRY WAYNE RILEY
TERRY WAYNE RILEY 1946 – 2023 The family of Terrance “Terry” Wayne Riley of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of the late Irma Riley, are deeply saddened to announce his passing on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 at the age of 77 years. Terry was born on January 27, 1946, in Calgary, AB, a son to Harold and Loïs Riley. He was raised there along with his five siblings, Gayle, Ro, Morna, Lance, and Cindy. Terry began his teaching career after receiving degrees in history, economics, and education from the University of Calgary. After marrying Irma Doris Apfel in 1969, he taught in Grand Cache for a couple of years. Together they moved to Medicine Hat in 1974 where they raised their two daughters, Tarra and Teresa. Terry will best be remembered for his service to his students, colleagues, and families of our community. As a teacher in the Medicine Hat Public School Division for over 20 years, he enthusiastically combined his passion for teaching with his extensive knowledge and excitement for all things football, and served as coach to the Crescent Heights Vikings football team. He had an immense knowledge of history, he knew a lot, and he shared his expertise, wisdom, and his beliefs with intensity Following his retirement from his teaching position in 2002, he continued to serve the Medicine Hat public education system as a trustee. Terry was a strong Board Chair and someone on whom you could depend. He was always confident in his positions, and he could stand by them, as they were always made in the best interest of student learning. His leadership and cooperative spirit over many years has left a lasting legacy in the MHSPD as he strongly believed in the importance of everyone, but in particular, a teacher’s role and job in building a future for society. The Memorial Service for Terry will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL on Friday, February 24th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. with Reverend Michele Rowe officiating. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Terrance Riley. 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.
MARINA HAUSAUER
MARINA HAUSAUER 1959 ~ 2023 Marina Jane Hausauer passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the age of 64 years, beloved wife of Fred Hausauer of Redcliff. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend officiating. 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
PAT COOKE
PAT COOKE 1933 – 2023 Patricia Alvina “Pat” Cooke of Medicine Hat, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the age of 89 years, beloved wife of the late Bruce Cooke. She leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Patti (Gord) Forbes, and their children, Casey (Carina), Kyle (Allana), Hilary (Jerrod) Blanchette; son, Darren (Brenda) Cooke and their children, Chris (Mel Yarmoloy) and Angie (Paulo DeSoto); daughter, Janice Richardson and her children, Ailish, Mackenzie and Abby; her great grandchildren, Tristan, Quinn and Kaden Forbes, Korbin and Alexa Forbes, Kate and Tessa Blanchette. Besides her husband, Pat was predeceased by her parents, her sister Verne (Don) Beaton; one brother Sam and her son-in-law Derik Richardson. Pat was born on August 10, 1933, at Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to Patrick and Bertha (Winstanley) Maddin. She was raised and educated in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. She graduated from business college at the age of 17 and went to work at Eaton’s. She then moved to Halifax and joined the secretarial pool for RCN Dock Yards. In 1955, Pat met Bruce Cooke at a dance and they were married on March 22, 1956. Together, they moved to Victoria, B.C. where Bruce was stationed at Esquimault Naval Base settling in Medicine Hat in 1958. Pat worked from age 17 until “retirement” at age 73. Her longest career was as a travel agent for P. Lawson Travel/Carlson Wagonlit. She continued to book tours even after she left the day to day “office job”. Pat and Bruce enjoyed annual golf holidays with a large group of fellow golf enthusiasts even though Pat was never a golfer. Due to the fact that Pat was never on time for anything in her life, the service will start approximately five minutes late. Cookie’s family would like to thank Meadow Ridge specifically Robinswood Cottage and the LPN staff for the tender loving care they provided. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant Pat Grisonich officiating. The funeral service will be live streamed for those who wish to attend virtually. Please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Those who wish to remember Pat with a donation may do so to A.J.’s Loan Cupboard (Alan Joys Memorial Fund Society) Box 45006, McKenzie Postal Outlet, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 7H3 or to the Alzheimer Society Alberta and Northwest Territories, #101, 1201 Kingsway Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2Y2. 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
SHARON LANT
SHARON LANT 1954 ~ 2023 Sharon Joan Lant passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at the age of 68 years, beloved wife of Larry Lant of Medicine Hat. She also leaves to cherish her memory two children, Neil (Laurie) Thauberger and Nicole Forsberg (Barry); three grandchildren, Luke Forsberg, Stormy Forsberg and Tyler Thauberger; her parents, Ben and Madelin Herter; her brother, Terry (Audrey) Herter and her sister, Sandy (Victor) Liske, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant, Pat Grisonich officiating. The service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit pattisonfuneralhome.com and select live streaming, then select the youtube (arrow). Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. 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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