November 29, 2024

By Obituaries on November 29, 2024.

WILLIAM `BILL’ SWENSON

WILLIAM ‘BILL’ SWENSON 1961 – 2024
William Henry Swenson passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the age of 63 years. Bill was born the fourth of five children to parents, Ray and Mary Swenson of Bindloss. He was more affectionately known as Billy or Bill, however, his mother often referred to him as “you little crap hound” though everyone knew it as her loving term of endearment for him.
Bill deeply loved growing up on the family farm in Bindloss, Alberta. It continues to be a very special place for him, both for the home as well as for the wonderful community of neighbours and friends that were considered family. Bill attended elementary and junior high schooling in Bindloss; dabbled in high school at Medicine Hat High for a while, followed by a short stint at Oyen High School. It was eventually agreed that his endeavors were better suited to working and he thrived in millwright apprenticeship/work.
Bill lived fully and completely, roaring through life with a contagious smile, sparkling eyes and a quick laugh. His open-hearted personality drew people to him, making friends effortlessly and everywhere. His love of people combined with a huge wild and mischievous streak made for many legendary stories and adventures. Everyone has stories of Bill, and I think it’s fair to say he coloured outside the lines of life. Just ask his family about his brushes with the police or legal system (all snowman events were mischievous in intent).
When Bill was 21, a tragic accident left him paralyzed as a quadriplegic. He spent several very hard months in the hospital under the care of some amazing nurses and doctors who truly cared. His goal at the end of his stay was to come home to the farm. His mom and family were determined to make that possible. With the help of family, many friends and a wonderful community who rallied around to support and help in countless ways, Bill was able to come home and start the process of learning a new life. It wasn’t easy and certainly wasn’t a smooth transition. It was hard but he succeeded spectacularly in the end. Bill’s natural ability with people came through and he made many more friends with many more adventures. The wheelchair was just an extension of Bill, but it didn’t define him.
After several years at home, Bill moved to Medicine Hat where he had the very good fortune to meet his match. Kathy came into his life and soon became the center of his life. He couldn’t have been happier or prouder then when Kathy’s two children became his two children. With their son, Justin and daughter, Alyssa they became a close family, and Bill loved them wholeheartedly and deeply. He loved being the dad that took them to their hockey or skating and all the after-school activities. He didn’t take it for granted and he couldn’t have asked for more. Later on, Justin’s son, Lincoln was born and Bill and Kathy became grandparents for the first time. You couldn’t have had prouder grandparents! Bill was thrilled to be Papa, and when Justin’s daughter, Amelia and Alyssa’s daughter, Adalayne were born, Bill’s life got even brighter as he lit up when they came into the room. Justin’s partner, Kayla and Alyssa’s husband, Josh rounded out their family and Bill couldn’t have been happier or prouder of each of them.
Kathy was not one in a million, she was one in one hundred million. She recognized Bill’s life could get more complicated as he grew older, and together they made the decision to do the things that were important to them. This involved extensive travel to many places, from road trips to Disneyland, to many Caribbean Island excursions as well as to Europe and Hawaii. They discovered they loved cruising after travelling with a very large group of about 50 of Bill’s extended family members. Over the years they went on many more cruises and trips with Bill spending countless hours researching excursions that interested him and finding ways to make it possible. Several of these trips were with siblings, cousins and extended family members.
All of these trips were because of Kathy as she was devoted to caring for him. Her sheer determination enabled Bill to live a very full and wonderful life as she was also the reason he survived many critical episodes in his life.
Bill loved life, whether on two legs or four wheels, he continued to find fun and a reason to laugh. He inspired and made an impact on the lives of his many nieces and nephews, family and friends throughout his life.
Bill will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathy; son, Justin (Kayla); daughter, Alyssa (Josh); grandchildren, Lincoln, Amelia and Adalayne as well as his future granddaughter, who will be born in the spring and will learn all about Papa Bill. He will also be greatly missed by his siblings, Daryl (Sandra Sinclair), Debbie (Dale Ross), Dennis (Kathi) and Diane (Walter Nordhagen) as well as many nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Later this summer Bill will go home to the farm to be with his mom as he wished. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in Bindloss at that time. (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”

CAROL O’BRIEN

CAROL O’BRIEN 1936 – 2024
Carol O’Brien passed peacefully on November 22, 2024, surrounded by love and family at the age of 88. Carol was born in Biggar, Saskatchewan on October 17, 1936, to Otto and Ada (nee Cox) Eriksen, the second of five daughters. From a little girl growing up on a farm, Carol embarked on what would be a full and storied life. After graduating as valedictorian from the Biggar High School, Carol moved to the ‘big city’ to attend teacher’s college in Saskatoon. Her thirst for adventure led her to move on from her teaching career early in life, when she relocated to the ‘bigger city’ of Calgary, working as a banker. It was in Calgary that Carol took the great leap into parenthood with the birth of her daughter, Carmen. Her role as a mother would expand when she moved to Victoria, where her sons Stephen, Brandon, and Patrick were born. The family would spend the better part of a decade on the coast, before relocating to Medicine Hat where they could be closer to loved ones. It was here in Medicine Hat that Carol decided to plant her roots.
Carol juggled the many demands of being a working woman in the 60s and 70s while single-handedly raising a young family. This was a challenging period in her life, but Carol was never one to give up when things got hard, or to simply accept the hand that was dealt. In her mid 30’s, Carol decided to reshuffle the deck by attending the Medicine Hat College, where she would receive her certification as a Registered Nurse. This began a long and rewarding career in healthcare that extended over 35 years. Carol worked as a Registered Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Counsellor, Manager for the Partial Hospitalization Program, and the Liaison Coordinator for the Psychiatric Ward all at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Carol was at heart a helper, providing care to countless people in need.
Carol’s drive to excel and live life to its fullest was not limited to her career. Her passion and natural talent for the arts was showcased in the countless paintings, sketches, sculptures, and pieces of pottery that she created. Art, history, and nature were wonderful outlets for Carol, and a social connection to the many other talented artists and stewards of southern Alberta. She valued the friends she made through the Pottery Association, Hat Art Club, Grassland Naturalists, and Historical Society (to name a few of her clubs). She was a keystone volunteer with many organizations in Medicine Hat (e.g., Quota Club, Hospital Auxiliary), and served on the Board of Directors that saw a ruined pottery factory turned into what we now know as the Medalta Historic Clay District. Her appetite for new experiences led Carol to be an avid traveller, both within Canada and abroad. Trips to England, France, Alaska, Nevada, the Netherlands, Italy, China, and Japan expanded Carol’s horizons even further. Even at the age of 80, she was on the move, travelling to Montreal with her grandson for her birthday.
Carol was the matriarch of the family, providing guidance, support, and unconditional love to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She taught us the meaning of hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity, and was truly the embodiment of strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment. She shaped us, taught us, and cared for us, at times when no one else would. While Carol will be forever missed by her loving family, she will never truly be gone. She is survived by her children Carmen (Steve †), Stephen (Lisa), Brandon, and Patrick; her grandchildren Tyler (Kristen), Stephanie (Dennis), Jesse, Kyle, Sarah (Steven), Hailey, and Rachel (Jayden); and her great grandchildren Stephen, Ryker, Dawson, and Amelia. Her sisters Karen, Gerda, Beverly, and Myrna, and their families in turn, will also remember Carol with love.
Within our hearts there will be no hole, for you have filled it with your soul. Cremation has been entrusted to the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Carol would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. 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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