March 22, 2024

By Obituaries on March 22, 2024.

STEPHEN PETER BOLGER

STEPHEN PETER BOLGER June 8th, 1973 March 18th, 2024 Stephen Bolger passed away on March 18th, 2024, at the age of 50 years. Beloved son of Leonard and Elsie Bolger. Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
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

IRA ELWOOD HEEBNER

IRA ELWOOD HEEBNER March 31, 1936 March 13, 2024
Ira passed away peacefully at AgeCare Riverview in Medicine Hat, AB on Wednesday March 13, 2024, at the age of 87 years. He is survived by his children, Glenda (Myles) Fichter, Verla (Shaun) Henderson, and son-in-law, Carmon Lindquist; 9 grandchildren, Ceanna (Colin) Tajcnar, Kelsy (Ty) Wigemyr, Tess (Blake) Zinger, Lais Lindquist, Lorin, Morgan, and Shayna Fichter, Brenna and Connor Henderson; 3 great-grandchildren, Major and Max Tajcnar, and Tor Wigemyr; and brother, Bruce (Sylvia) Heebner.
He is predeceased by his wife, Velma; daughter, Debra (Carmon) Lindquist; parents, Emil and Emilia (Redlich) Heebner; brothers, Elmer (Alma) Heebner, Norman (Renetta) Heebner and Mervyn (Clara) Heebner; and sister, Ruth (Gordon) Coles.
Ira was born in Vanguard, SK on March 31,1936 and grew up in the community of Glen Bain. He attended Simonson School, a quarter mile west of the farm then continued High School in the town of Glen Bain. Ira’s agricultural career started a year before graduation as his father needed help on the farm. In his younger years, the family had cattle, pigs, and chickens, but most of his 45 years were spent harvesting grain until he moved to an acreage in Cypress County, south of Dunmore in 2002.
Ira would make trips to Glen Bain, sometimes on cross country skis, to visit Velma Engel of Woodrow, SK, who moved to the area for her first teaching job. Their courtship led to marriage in 1957 at the Woodrow Country Church, three daughters and a wonderful life together on the farm.
In 1962, Ira decided to learn to fly. He shared his love for flying with many people, taking friends and family up in the air to experience the “fly overs” and “roller coaster rides”. He had many adventures taking him as far as Mexico in his Cessna airplane. He also ventured into many business opportunities including owning DJ Diamonds and raising ostriches.
He will be fondly remembered for his humor and practical jokes, always brightening up the room. His personal faith and love for God was woven into the fabric of his life. It inspired him to get involved with a variety of activities, sponsoring school children and drilling water wells in Haiti.
In the later years, Ira and Velma loved spending time in their trailer, camping with their children and grandchildren.
Please join us for Ira & Velma’s Memorial at Chinook Village, Terrace Room, on March 30, 2024, at 1:00PM
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

BEVERLY YOUNG

BEVERLY YOUNG December 17, 1956 ~ March 19, 2024
Surrounded by her family, Beverly Joy Young (nee Dickson) passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the age of 67 years. Left to cherish Bev’s memory is her mother, Lillian Weeres; children, Melissa (Todd) Sweeney, Ryan (Katelyn) Dickson and Branden Dickson; grandchildren, Ethan, Keyanna and Masyn Dickson and Liam Sweeney; sisters, Diane (Doug) Colwell and Wanda (Darcy) Walllator; brothers, Mark Weeres and Randy Weeres; nephews, James Colwell and Bradley and Jarrid Wallator as well as extended family members and friends who were dear to her heart. Bev loved playing bingo and going to garage sales but more than anything, spending time with family and friends. She gave the best back scratches that those who received them can attest to. Family meant everything to Bev; if she loved you, she would love you with her whole heart. A celebration of Bev’s life will be held at a later date. (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”

MARLENE KNODEL

MARLENE KNODEL July 16, 1938 ~ March 19, 2024
Marlene Ann Knodel, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully with family by her side at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the age of 85 years. Marlene was born on July 16, 1938, in Medicine Hat. She was an only child of proud parents, Harry and Juliette Baker. Marlene grew up in Medicine Hat where she completed her schooling and was a graduate of the first graduating class of Medicine Hat High School. Marlene married her husband, Marvin Knodel at St. Peter Lutheran Church on May 9, 1992. Along with being a devoted wife, she was dedicated to her career as she was the lead of a major security company for many years. In her spare time, Marlene could be found in her garden doing what she loved… she had a real green thumb! Above everything else, Marlene absolutely loved her family; family was her world. She especially enjoyed celebrating the birthdays of her family members, particularly her grandchildren. Her family also included her adorable fur babies: dogs, Schatzie, Keesha, and Myka, all three of which she loved so very much. Marlene enjoyed the outdoors and mother nature. Summers meant time spent with family going camping and many winters were spent with Marvin in the warmth of Arizona. She was the most kind, caring and gentle lady who will be forever remembered by her husband, Marvin Knodel; children: Penny (Leonard) Heilman, Bob Chapman and Bob Francis; two grandchildren: Jenna (Nick) Rose and their children, Nixon, Blakely and Boden; and Landon (Esther) Heilman along with numerous cousins and extended family. Marlene was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Juliette Baker. A Celebration of Marlene’s life will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 758 – 8 Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery at a future date. The service will be live streamed by the church. Those who wish to watch the celebration may go to YouTube and search for St. Peter Lutheran Medicine Hat. Memorial donations in Marlene’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Road NE #200, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 119 14 Street NW #100, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1Z6. (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”

DONNA RUFF

1953 ~ DONNA RUFF ~ 2024 With profound sadness – yet celebrating a life fully and beautifully lived – the family of Donna Ruff announces her passing into the arms of the Lord on March 9th, 2024. Donna leaves behind her beloved husband of 52 years, Garry Ruff; her children, Jenn (Mike) Lembke, Sarah (Corey) Dowler, and Rod (Kate) Ruff; her grandchildren, Carter, Averie, Josiah, Abby, and Florence. Donna also leaves behind her dear sister, Linda (Garry) Bollinger, along with many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Donna is reunited in heaven with her parents, Fred and Irene Mehrer, as well as her sisters, Dianne and Sharlene. As we say goodbye to Donna, we also celebrate her remarkable life and the countless ways she showed us love and touched our lives. This celebration will be held at Hillcrest Church, 3785 13 Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, AB on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Pahl officiating. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Donna Ruff. 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.

RONALD THORSON

1933 ~ RONALD THORSON ~ 2024
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ronald Neil Thorson announces his passing at the Pleasant View Lodge in Bow Island, on March 11th, 2024, at the age of 90 years. Ron was born in the nurses’ residence in Bow Island on July 6th, 1933, to Arthur and Edith (Hodgson) Thorson of the Winnifred district. Ron is survived by his children, Deanna, Douglas, Barb, and Darrel (Christina); as well as his grandchildren, Todd, Jackie (Beau), Morgan (Chad), Stacy (Jennifer), Jimmy (Rachel), Alexandra, and Emily (Blake); nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild! Ron lived on the family farm with his brother, Harold, and sister, Shirley (Mclean), located five miles south of Winnifred, Alberta. Ron was raised in a home without running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, telephone, or television but with an electric fence telephone amongst neighbours!

Ron attended school at a one-room school, Fairlight, located 3/4 of a mile away. One year, the school didn’t have a teacher so Ron and his siblings attended the Catholic Convent School in Medicine Hat, living in the residence there. When school buses started running, Ron and his siblings attended Bow Island High School. Everyone worked hard on the farm, including Ron despite his very young age. Ron became a self-taught carpenter, electrician, and machinery operator by the age of 14. Also, at age 14, he won the Governor General’s Award for having the highest marks in the Provincial Exams in the County of 40 Mile. But, at the age of 16, he quit school, bought a water truck, and went up north to Redwater to haul water for the oil rigs and all earnings were sent home to help pay the farm bills.

Ron met his future wife, Marilyn, at the age of 20 and they married two years later in 1955. They raised their four children and continued living in the original family house without any modern amenities until 1962. Ron and Marilyn built up a very successful farming operation with their son, Doug, until they sold the entire farm in 2017. At age 82, Ron finally retired. Ron and Marilyn were married for 63 years until Marilyn’s passing in 2018.

Ron was an avid fisherman and fish farmer, stocking the famous Thorson dam every year from 1982 until 2020. Ron harvested as many as 1,700 trout one year and he and Marilyn did all the canning, smoking, and freezing and gave away these delicious treats to family and friends. He, along with help from family members and friends, built a beautiful campground at the dam complete with an irrigation system for grass and trees. Ron and Marilyn spent many summers there and hosted numerous parties and events for friends and families. Everybody who knew Ron and Marilyn have memories at “the dam”.

Ron was a very good farmer but always said it was a little too dry or the prices could be a little bit better. He and Doug exceeded the area average for many years with diligence and good farming practices.

Ron will always be remembered for his dedication to family, work, and community. His gentle spirit and generosity to friends and family were a hallmark of his life and legacy. In his later years, Ron loved to drive around the area checking out crops, walking out to assess moisture levels by poking his finger in the ground and shooting gophers. The country roads around Bow Island will be a little quieter this spring without Ron’s sharp eyes and 22 rifle instilling fear in the rodent community.

A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held at ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH, 139 2nd Avenue West, Bow Island, on Saturday, March 30th, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Bob Wallace officiating. A private interment will take place at Bow Island Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Ron’s memory may be made to the Bow Island and District Health Foundation, P.O. Bag 3990, Bow Island AB, T0K 0G0. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Ron Thorson. 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.

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