December 23, 2023
By Obituaries on December 23, 2023.
MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN
MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below, With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it is beyond description to hear the Angels sing. I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart, But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart. So be happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear. And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above. I send you each a memory of my undying love, After all “Love” is the gift more precious than pure gold It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other, as my father said to do, For I can’t count the blessings or love he has for you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. Dedicated to all the families who have lost a loved one this past year. Our thoughts are with you. 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”
GARY BARNES
GARY BARNES 1944 – 2023 We are sad to announce the passing of Gary Barnes, our husband, father and grandfather (Papa) on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the age of 79 years. Gary is survived by his loving wife for 53 years, Sandy of Medicine Hat and their son Travis (Brittany); two grandsons Cal and Jace; family dog (Wrigley) all of Bemidji, Minnesota. Gary was born to Harold and Mary (Tiltgen) Barnes on August 11, 1944, at Ponoka, Alberta where he was raised. In 1967, he moved to Burstall and worked at the Empress Gas Plant for 33 years. Over the years, Gary stayed active travelling, playing and coaching hockey, playing baseball, skiing, boating, golfing, and volunteering in the communities of Burstall and Medicine Hat. In retirement, over the last 20 plus years, Gary spent many hours at the Connaught Golf Course with his morning group. He looked forward to the morning golf games and appreciated the friendships garnered over the years. Gary loved his family dearly and even though there were many miles between us, he was thankful for the daily phone calls from Travis and being able to watch Cal and Jace play hockey and golf online – it meant the world to him. Thank you to Dr. Horsman (Sarah and Jane), the doctors and staff at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, the staff at Masterpiece and Home Care for your care and support. A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at a later date. 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
VALERIE ANN BROWER
1950 ~ VALERIE ANN BROWER ~ 2023
It is with sadness in our hearts we announce the passing of beloved aunt, friend, and teacher, Valerie Ann Brower, in Medicine Hat on December 16th, 2023 at the age of 73 years. Valerie was the eldest child born to Lynn and Florence (Reierstad) Brower of Etzikom, AB on February 10th, 1950. She was predeceased by both of her parents as well as her brother, Roy Brower. Left to cherish her memory are her niece, Pearl (Dean) Jones; nephew, Gordon Brower; her chosen extended family, niece, Randi L’Heureux; son, Chan Phon; and her beloved cat, Miss Muffet.
Valerie was raised in Etzikom and spoke often of her memories growing up behind the counter of Brower’s General Store. After completing high school in Foremost, she completed her Bachelor of Music and decided that the best way to share her gift of music was to become a teacher. Many students learned to play on her beautiful grand piano, and many school productions included her hand bell choir. She spent several years teaching in elementary schools all around the province, and even came out of retirement to teach the Music for Young Children program through the Conservatory of Music & Dance. Her love of children was unmistakable throughout her career, and she often reflected that she did not need to have kids of her own because her students had been her children. This was evident when going through her photos and finding her class pictures from every year she had taught, as well as every individual student photo that she had been gifted.
Valerie touched the lives of all who met her. Her infectious smile lit up the room and was often accompanied by her little giggle. She was a very social person and almost never went anywhere she did not come across someone she knew. On the rare occasion she did not know someone, she would strike up a conversation and would visit as if she did. When scheduling errands, extra time was always allowed for, as one never knew just how long those visits would take.
She loved to travel and treasured the special times she spent with friends and relatives touring throughout the USA and around the world. Her house was filled with pictures and mementos from those trips, and if ever there was a question about any of her previous destinations, the books lining the shelves of her office housed all the answers.
Valerie was a long-time member of both the Eastern Star Murray Chapter No 58 and the Sons of Norway, when it was still active in Medicine Hat. She truly enjoyed the friends she made and the events she was able to attend within both groups.
In her later years, she was tasked with taking care of the family ranch after her brother passed away. While country life had always been in the background for her, she often liked to joke that she was a ‘cow lady’ now, and she enjoyed all she learned from Dean about innovations and improvements to ranching throughout the years.
There will be a private memorial celebration of Valerie’s life in the New Year. The family will reach out with details of the service once arrangements have been made. Anyone wishing to make donations in Valerie’s name may do so to H.A.L.O., Southern Alberta Medic Air Society 666 – 5th Street SW Medicine Hat AB T1A 4H6. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Valerie Brower. 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.
8
-7
