February 28, 2024
By Obituaries on February 28, 2024.
JOSEPH “JOE” ROBERT LEONARD
JOSEPH “JOE” ROBERT LEONARD November 20th, 1960 February 21st, 2024
Joe Leonard passed away on February 21st, 2024, at the age of 63 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his partner, Kim V. Powley; mother to his children, Denise Leonard; son, Joseph Leonard; daughters, Breanna Leonard and Brittany (Steve) Wilding; one grandchild to be. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Florence Leonard; sister, Bonnie Wells.
Joe was born in Medicine Hat. He went to Medicine Hat High school and that is where his love of sports began. Joe had a few favorite hobbies in life. He spent summers playing slo pitch baseball for many years. Along with another love, hockey. He was a hockey coach and a referee for men’s league and worked at the tiger’s game. Joe passed his time working at Gasking and watching hockey. He also travelled to get his favorite food, Mary Brown’s Chicken. Couldn’t keep him away from it!
Joe was a great support to his children when playing sports, which included soccer, hockey, lacrosse and rugby. Joe enjoyed driving his dream car, “White Mustang”. There was never a dull moment having Joe around. He made you always put a smile on your face.
No formal service will be held. Donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the Diabetes association of Canada. 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
RITA BESSANT
RITA BESSANT September 26, 1945 ~ February 22, 2024
It is with saddened hearts that the family of Rita Joyce Bessant announce her passing at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the age of 78 years. Rita will be forever cherished in the hearts of her granddaughters, Alexandra Bessant and Jessica Bessant; sister, Denise Richards; daughter-in-law, Carmen Bessant; Carmen’s brothers, Giovanni Aguilar and Francisco Aguilar and her bestie, Dee Wagner. She was predeceased by her sons, Matthew Bessant and Jason Bessant. Rita spent over 40 years at CORE Association, advocating for those with disabilities. She saw the beauty in everyone as her compassion and nurturing approach was expressed through her work and interests. Rita’s love of poetry and philosophy was how she connected with people on a deeper, meaningful way. In her spare time, Rita could be found tending to her garden where her love of nature and making things beautiful shone through. Rita was deeply loved by her family and the community and she will be forever missed! Those who wish to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, February 29, 2024, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. A Celebration of Rita’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Guy Snell officiating. The service will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience Rita’s service may visit the Cook Southland website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com) Memorial donations in Rita’s name may be made directly to CORE, 412 – 3 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0H1. 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”
HARRY ZELLER
HARRY ZELLER August 9, 1935 ~ February 23, 2024
It is with heavy hearts we say goodbye to Harry Zeller, beloved husband of the late Eleanor Zeller, who passed away at the Sunnyside Nursing Home in Medicine Hat on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the age of 88 years.
His memory will be forever treasured in our hearts and sadly missed by us, his two children, Brenda (Leroy) Friesen and Barry. Sadly he was predeceased by his eldest son, Leslie, just recently on August 1, 2023.
He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Adrienne Brum (Trevor) Kaylan and Jerika, Nicole Simon (Justin) Reed and Everly, Travis Patterson, Marnie Zeller (Spencer) and Taylor Zeller (Justin); daughter-in-law, Melody Zeller; two sisters, Darlene Reeder and Violet Tarnasky; sisters- in-law, Mildred Meier, May Jesse and Donna Adams; brother-in-law, Bob Jesse (Millie) as well as many nieces and nephews.
Along with his eldest son, Leslie, Dad was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Zeller; Eleanor’s parents, Gust and Ida Jesse; brother, Richard; son-in-law, Garry Patterson; grandson, Cory Simon; grandsons, Jason, Justin and Logan all in infancy as well as his brothers-in-law, Marven Jesse, Fred Meier, Sid Tarnasky and Mike Reeder.
Dad was raised in Redcliff and later moved to Medicine Hat. He married the love of his life, Eleanor Jesse in 1957 and their union was blessed with three children, Brenda, Leslie and Barry.
Dad always worked in the automotive parts business; first in various jobs, then working his way up to the manager of Motor Car Supply in Calgary. Two years later it became Acklands and Dad and Mom made the decision to move back to Medicine Hat and go into business for themselves. Dad found a perfect partner in Larry Moore (Edna), hence the name Zelmor Automotive came to be by merging the two surnames which Mom came up with. The business thrived with lots of hard work from 1967 to 2012.
Dad was a sports minded man his whole life. Between golf, curling and baseball, then seniors slow pitch which brought many happy times. He also enjoyed spending time with the family on annual camping trips and on several lovely family vacations, including Disneyland, Disneyworld plus Hawaii!
He and Mom travelled extensively with business related conventions and conferences. They enjoyed their motor homes and loved to camp while Dad was at many slo-pitch and golf tournaments.
Dad was a Dodger and Blue Jays fan, travelling twice with his grandson, Travis and nephew, Craig Stock to watch the Jays in Toronto in 2006 and then in Minneapolis in 2016 when he was 80.
After Mom passed, Dad was extremely grief stricken and alone for the first time in his life and then COVID hit; which was so hard on him. His health started to decline because of the loneliness and isolation and he is now back with the love of his life, Eleanor and his eldest son, Les.
A Celebration of Dad’s life will be held at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road SE, Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jaster officiating. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at http://www.cooksouthland.com). Memorial donations in Dad’s name may be made to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta, 104, 430 – 6 Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 2S8. 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”
MIKE SCHALL
MIKE SCHALL 1962 – 2024 Michael Bradley Schall passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024 at the age of 61 years, beloved husband of Tracey Schall of Medicine Hat. Memorial service details will be announced at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium. For a more detailed obituary or to leave a message of condolence you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
RICHARD “SEV” BARBER
RICHARD “SEV” BARBER February 13, 1931 – February 22, 2024
We have been so grateful to have had Sev for 93 years whose sense of humor and friendship were valued by many. For Hazel, Merrill and Jared, he always will be a very beloved husband, dad and grandpa.
Sev was born and lived in Pennant, Saskatchewan until he was 13 years old. In 1944 he moved to Redcliff , and then lived his married life in Medicine Hat. In 1947, he began employment with the Redcliff Premier Brick Co. for about 5 years. That is when he met and married Hazel Lavenne and made his home in Medicine Hat. His next employment was with the Medicine Hat Transit System where he worked as a driver until 1966. While a bus driver, he was mentioned in the June 1955 issue of Maclean’s magazine and then interviewed for the Medicine Hat News in September 2014. Moving on, his new place of employment was at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital where he worked in the Boiler Plan as a Power Engineer. He continued his studies in this position until he obtain certification as a 2nd Class Power Engineer. In 1973, he was appointed to a position of Supervisor of Maintenance. During his employment with the hospital, he wanted to inspire others and taught 4th Class Power Engineering at the Medicine Hat College for 5 consecutive years. Sev was actively involved in Occupational Health and Safety and chaired the Safety Committee at the hospital for approximately 12 years . He also was Treasurer for the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering for 7 years. After 25 years with the hospital, he took early retirement in 1991.
Sev lived in his own home up until a recent hospital stay – cooking, cleaning, yard work, and yes, still snow shoveling. Every afternoon he visited Hazel at Masterpiece and recently they celebrated their 72nd Wedding Anniversary. Some of his favorite pastimes were motorcycle riding, golf, playing hockey and watching Fawlty Towers with Jared; fishing, and maintaining a well-manicured yard. More recently he liked sitting down at the computer, going to the Moose with the Saturday breakfast club, playing pool and enjoying meals with/and receiving food packages from his generous friends.
Sev was predeceased by his son, Darwin James Barber, in 1976. Survived by his wife, Hazel, daughter, Merrill Cannon(Stewart) grandson Jared Blackmore (Jay-Lynn) and his brother, Frank Barber. Others who predeceased him was his mother (Flora); father (Carl), and older brother (James).
Sev cherished his family and friends and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. To honor his wishes there will not be a funeral or memorial service. 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
VERONICA GETZ
VERONICA GETZ Veronica Getz, beloved wife of the late Peter Getz, passed away Monday, February 26th, 2024. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 1415 Strachan Rd. SE, Medicine Hat, on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Veronica Getz. 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. 18
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