June 22, 2024
By Obituaries on June 22, 2024.
SHEILA MARIE TORSHER
TORSHER, SHEILA MARIE October 26, 1932 – June 14, 2024 Sheila Torsher passed away on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Calgary, after a life well-lived and more recently, a struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in Southern Alberta in 1932, growing up on a farm in Bow Island, Alberta, as a proud farm girl. She attended school in Bow Island, Medicine Hat, Pincher Creek, and Calgary. She was recognized for having the highest scores in the Government of Alberta Grade 12 departmental exams, winning both the Governor General’s medal and the Calgary Separate School medals for her achievement. She went on to graduate with a BSc in Food Science and Home Economics from the University of Alberta, and completed internships in Toronto, Spokane, and Vancouver, before starting work in Calgary, and later in Bow Island, as a dietician. The arts were always important to Sheila, earning her Royal Conservatory Grade 9 piano, singing in the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus, embracing new skills such as weaving (she was a founding member of the Celebration Weaver’s Guild), and encouraging a love of music in all her children.
She met her future husband, Edward Torsher, as a child in Bow Island, but they didn’t start dating until they reconnected in Calgary, in the mid-1950s. They were wed in 1958, and when Sheila’s father died suddenly, they moved back to take over the family farm. They farmed successfully for 38 years. In addition to her years as a partner to Ed on the farm, she was as dedicated musician, Canada census worker, and a dedicated volunteer serving as a 4-H Sewing Club leader, a member of the University of Lethbridge Senate, and on the Alberta Health Long-Term Care Review Committee. In her later years, she retired to Calgary, where she enjoyed new friendships, playing golf, bridge, and travel. She was an extensive world traveler both before marriage and later in life.
Family, friendships, and her faith were very important to her. She was a devout Catholic, a lifelong member of the Catholic Women’s League, a member of the St. Bonaventure Parish Bereavement Committee, and a longtime supporter of the Sisters of the Faithful Companions of Jesus. She and Ed always valued education and a broad international outlook.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ed Torsher (1996), and sister Sr. Patricia Halpin (FCJ) (2023). She is survived by her children, Laurence (Lynn), Daniel (Marie-Hélène Côté), Maureen (Laurent Dumaine) and Kevin (Lynn Wright); and grandchildren, Alexa, Camille, Eric, Evelyn, Guy, Hugo, Jill, Luke (Kayla), and William. She is also survived by brothers, Roger (Gayle) and Tim (Evi).
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Catholic Church (1113 – 1st Street East, Bow Island, AB), on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Graveside service to follow at the Bow Island Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories at http://www.alzheimer.ab.ca or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences and memories may be shared with Sheila’s family at http://www.MHFH.com.
In living memory of Sheila Torsher, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.
EDWIN FISCHER
1937 EDWIN FISCHER 2024 It is with a heavy heart that the family of Edwin Fischer announce his passing on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, at the age of 86 years. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 64 years, Violet Fischer; son, Kevin (Tammy) Fischer; daughter, Shelley Williams; grandchildren, Kimberly Fischer (Royce), Bryce Williams, and Riley Williams; sister, Alice Remple; sister-in-law, Marg Fischer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Edwin was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Alida Fischer; brothers, Albert and Malvin Fischer; sisters, Matilda Tickell, Elsie Connon, and Ester Flemming. Edwin’s love of his life was his family; he was especially proud of his grandchildren as they each had their own gifts and talents. He loved them dearly. He worked at Domglas for 33 years is various management positions. Edwin’s hobbies were hunting and especially fishing, as he had many fond memories of himself and Ed Piotrowsie trying to find the best fishing hole. He was always ready and willing to go fishing. Life will be lonelier without him. Rest in peace Dad (Pops). Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB on Sunday, June 23rd at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at HOLY FAMILY PARISH, 1451 Strachan Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4V3, on Monday, June 24th, 2024, at 11:00 am with Fr. Iqbal Khurshid, Celebrant. Family and friends are also welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to http://www.youtube.com and joining the live webcast on Medicine Hat Holy Family Church on the above date and time. A private interment will be held at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers , donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Edwin Fischer. 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.
KEN GRAUMANS
1936 ~ KEN GRAUMANS ~ 2024
Cornelius (Ken) Petrus Graumans went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 7, two days shy of his 88th birthday, after a well-fought fourth battle with cancer. He successfully won the first three battles starting 28 years ago. He leaves behind his beloved and devoted wife, Rita; his four children, Arnold, Johanna (Shaun), Corinne, and Eric (Leanne); adopted daughter-in-law, Lori; three grandchildren, Ryan (Angela), Kyle (Stephanie), and Matthew (Cleo); five great-grandchildren, Oaklynn, Theodore, Koen, Benjamin, and Kyler; one brother, Jan (Dina); a sister, Mien; and sister-in-law, Nel; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Petrus and Johanna; and five siblings.
Ken was born the seventh of eight children in Liesbos, Holland on June 9, 1936 to a farming family. In his early years, he developed a passion for farming. After the required time in the army, the call for promise of a farm life in Canada lured him here with his young bride in 1962. The first many years came with a tremendous amount of learning and struggle building a farm from the ground up. Ken and Rita were determined and it was only through this determination through sacrifice, extreme hard work, perseverance, and the friendship of his sister and brother-in-law, Liz and Pete, cousins close by, and many fellow immigrants in the same position, did the years eventually get easier.
He enjoyed serving and volunteering on numerous boards, committees, counsels, clubs, and leagues in the county and community over the years including Unifarm, Cypress County, and the Dutch Canadian Society. Ken and Rita moved to Medicine Hat from the farm in Seven Persons in 2003. Ken remained extremely active and could do whatever he chose to until this past year. He looked after the yard and garden at the farm and helped Rita with the one in town, travelled with friends, golfed, played pool and cards, walked or biked daily, went to Tiger hockey games, spent time with his multi-generations of children, learned how to text, read countless books, and even went to see his family in Holland a few years ago. There is nothing he enjoyed more than a chance to visit and the opportunity to make you laugh over a coffee or a wine and something sweet. He truly touched the lives of all the people who knew him.
Ken and Rita were married 62 years in February. His life is a testament to the values of hard work and facing life’s challenges with faith here and above, grace, kindness, and optimism. They came with a dream, the clothes on their back and he ended with a wealth of memories and a comfortable life.
The family is forever grateful for the care provided to him over the past year(s) by all the doctors, nurses, home care nurses, and aids.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, on Friday, June 28th, 2024, at 10:45 am with Fr. Iqbal Khurshid, Celebrant. Family and friends are also welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to http://www.youtube.com and joining the live webcast on Medicine Hat Holy Family Church on the above date and time. In lieu of flowers as a show of sympathy for the family, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in Ken’s honour at http://www.cancer.ca under Ways to Give. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Ken Graumans. 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.
DORIS FRANKO
1938 ~ DORIS FRANKO ~ 2024
Doris Phyllis Franko (nee Mutschler) went to be with her Heavenly Father on June 16, 2024, following a brief battle with cancer. Doris passed away peacefully with her family at her side, at St. Joseph’s Hospice, at the age of 85 years. Doris was born the fourth of five children to Philip and Katherine (Ginther) Mutschler in Maple Creek, SK. She is survived by Diane and Murray Morton, and their children, Brookelynn and Jenna; Dale and Cindi Franko; brother, Jim Mutschler, and his wife, Delores; brother-in-law, Allen Donst; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don and Connie Franko, Carol and John Smith, and Peter Kapeluck; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends; and her adopted family, Rick, Line, Connor, Cameron, and Kyle Gray. Doris was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Walter; sisters, Irma (Fernie) Glass, Lorraine (Rudy) Jackle, and June Donst; brother and sisters-in-law, Olga (Leo) Bast, John (Ruby) Franko, and Violet Kapeluck. Doris worked at several different jobs, but her 20 years working for mental health services, both in Medicine Hat and Victoria, BC, were the ones she enjoyed most. She enjoyed travelling, camping, dancing, curling, and playing cards/games with her family and friends. Special thanks to Dr. Majeed and the amazing team at St. Joseph’s Hospice who went above and beyond to care for our precious mother. We are forever grateful. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and at Victory Lutheran Church, 2793 Southview Drive SE, Medicine Hat, AB, on Friday, June 28th, 2024 from 10:00 am to 10:50 am. The Funeral Service will be held at Victory Lutheran Church on Friday, June 28th, 2024 at 11:00 am with Pastor Roland Weisbrot officiating. If unable to attend, family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to victorylutheran.ca/livestream/ at the above date and time. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Doris’ memory may be made to Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Doris Franko. 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.
WAYNE MARTIN
WAYNE MARTIN 1937 ~ 2024 Mr. Wayne Vernon Martin, beloved husband of Judy, passed away in Medicine Hat on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the age of 86 years. A Graveside Celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at Hillside Cemetery on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. A time of fellowship will follow thereafter in the Cook Southland Reception Facility. Relatives and friends attending the graveside celebration should gather at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., on Tuesday between 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. to join the procession to graveside. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting Cook Southland’s website at 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” 12
-11
