December 17, 2024

By Obituaries on December 17, 2024.

SHIRLEY THICKSON-BURGESS

SHIRLEY THICKSON-BURGESS 1954 ~2024 With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Shirley May Thickson-Burgess, who passed away on December 10, 2024. Shirley was an exceptional woman whose warmth and kindness touched everyone who crossed her path. Shirley was the beloved daughter of Robert and Shirley Smith, who preceded her in death. Throughout her life, she built strong and lasting bonds with her family, which became the cornerstone of her existence. She was a devoted partner to her best friend and companion, Larry Brunet, with whom she shared countless adventures and cherished memories. She is survived by her loving daughter, Kimberley (Mark) Schafer, and her son, Tyler (Stacey) Thickson. Shirley was an adoring grandmother to her grandchildren, Matthew, Max, Rezner, Torin, and Taylor, who were the light of her life and who brought her immeasurable joy. Shirley also leaves behind her brothers, Dale (Karen) Smith and Doug (Esther) Smith; sisters, Brenda (Kevin) Morris and Cathy (Alan) Roth; along with numerous nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. Shirley spent countless hours nurturing her beautiful flower garden, which bloomed as vividly as her personality. She enjoyed travelling, exploring new places, and creating lasting memories with her family and friends. Shirley’s ability to build great bonds with those around her set her apart; she had a gift for making everyone feel valued and loved. Shirley’s Celebration of Life will be held at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, on Wednesday, December 18th, 2024, at 2:30 pm with Life Celebrant Lynett Getz officiating. Memorial gifts in Shirley’s memory may be made to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710, 10123-99 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1, 1-866-412-4222, albertacancer.ca/in-memory. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Shirley Thickson-Burgess. 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.

ANN BALEWICZ

ANN BALEWICZ

Ann Balewicz (nee Valastin) of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Joseph Thomas Balewicz, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Ann is survived by her brother, Vladislav, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Also left to cherish her memory are her good friends James and Michelle Strong and their children Nicole, Lisa, and Colin of Terrace Bay, Ontario.
Ann was predeceased by her parents, Maria and Stephan Valastin; her brothers, Jan and Raphael (in infancy); her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and Stanley Balewicz; her sisters-in-law, Mary Valastin, Delia Valastin, and Doreine Valastin; her brothers-in-law, Albert and Stanley Balewicz; and her nephew, Mark Valastin.
Ann was born in Broderick, Saskatchewan where she was raised and educated. Following graduation from high school she moved to St. Boniface, Manitoba to attend the St Boniface School of Nursing. Following her graduation as an R.N. she began her nursing career at the St. Boniface Hospital. In 1953, she moved to Edmonton to work at the Royal Alexandra and the Edmonton General Hospitals. Always a lifelong learner, Ann studied for a year at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and completed a Post Graduate Course of Surgical Supervision and Management and studied advanced cardiac and thoracic surgery. She returned to St Boniface Hospital as an R.N. in the surgical department. It was during this time that Ann met her beloved Joseph; they married in 1960 and moved to Medicine Hat. Joseph, a member of the RCAF, worked at the Canadian Forces Base Suffield, and Ann returned to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, retiring in 1977 having been promoted to the position of Surgical Unit Supervisor. Following her retirement, Ann became a devoted member of the St Boniface Hospital Nursing Alumni Association.
In their retirement, Ann and Joseph traveled extensively, visiting family throughout BC, Alberta, and Manitoba and returning to Europe to visit relatives in Slovakia. They cruised the Panama Canal. Joseph passed away in 1993 following 33 years of marriage. At the time of Joseph’s death, they had been planning a RCAF Veterans’ Alaskan cruise. Despite missing her loving partner, Ann moved forward and completed this cruise in Joseph’s honor. Ann and Joseph were passionate stamp and coin collectors, avid readers, and loved history and politics. Their summer days were filled with work in their vegetable and flower gardens in three different yards and a ritual game of cribbage after lunch. Ann was an avid sports fan, particularly football and her beloved Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Ann was a strong, kind, and generous woman who spent much time volunteering for the Catholic church, helping friends and neighbors by driving them to appointments or on outings, and frequently checking in on friends who were housebound, ill, or in need of a visit.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 6:55 pm. Vigil Rites (Prayers) will follow at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 238 – 2nd Avenue NE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5Z9, on Wednesday, December 18th, 2024, at 11:00 am with Fr. Iqbal Khurshid, Celebrant. If unable to attend, family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to http://www.saamis.com and joining the live webcast on Ann’s memorial page on the above dates and times. A virtual guest book is available on the livestream page for those participating remotely. Interment will follow in the Roman Catholic Section at Hillside Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial gifts in Ann’s memory may be made to Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home, 156 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1, The Society of the Little Flower, Canadian Division, Niagara Falls, Ontario, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Ann Balewicz. 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 MORETON

WAYNE MORETON 1941 ~ 2024 Wayne passed away at the hospital in Wildomar, California, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the age of 83 years. Along with Marlene, his loving wife of over 55 years, Wayne’s memory will be cherished by his daughter, Nicole (Andy) Stroh; granddaughters, Kyla (Dylan) and Madison Stroh; brother, Dennis (Judy) Moreton and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with a time of fellowship thereafter in the Cook Southland Reception Facility. Wayne’s celebration will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience the celebration may visit the Cook Southland website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Wayne may do so through donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or South Country Village (recreational equipment or Obie projector). (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”

LEONARD LENTZ

LEONARD LENTZ 1939 ~ 2024 Leonard Raymond Lentz passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 85 years. Left to cherish Leonard’s memory are his six children, Debbie, Lynanne (Shane), Jeff (Cheryl), Judy (Neil), Theressa (Bob) and Raymond; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren as well as his sister, Marlene. A private family service will be held. (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”

MICHAEL SEIFRIDT

MICHAEL SEIFRIDT 1970 – 2024 Michael John Seifridt passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 54 years, beloved husband of Laurie Seifridt of Medicine Hat. Cremation has been entrusted to the Pattison Funeral Home and Crematorium. To read the full obituary or 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

ANNA LACHER

ANNA LACHER 1936 – 2024 Anna Lacher passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 88 years, beloved wife of John Lacher of Medicine Hat. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. 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

NORMAN CARLSON

NORMAN CARLSON 1934 – 2024 Norman Carlson of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of the late Lois Carlson, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 90 years. The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTRE on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Life Celebrant David Townsend officiating. The service will be live streamed. Those who wish to attend virtually, please visit Norman’s obituary page for the link. Interment will follow in Prairie View Cemetery. To read the full obituary or to leave a message of condolence please visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.
PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

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