September 4, 2025

By Obituaries on September 4, 2025.

VALENTINE ERESMAN

VALENTINE ERESMAN 1934 – 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Valentine John Eresman on August 30, 2025, at the age of 90 years. Beloved husband of Pauline Eresman (Resch); father to Carla (Blaine) Bischoff and Candice (Darcy) Koch; grandfather to Sharlene (Kris) Smith, Cheltin (Kelsey) Bischoff, Joshua (Amanda) Koch, Jordan (Elizabeth) Koch, Rebecca Koch and Justin Koch; great-grandfather to Jayda, Jaxx, and Blake, Brandy, Taryn and Lauryn Koch, and Isabelle, Charlotte and Serena Koch. Besides his children & grandchildren he is survived by 4 brothers, Casper (Arlene) Eresman, Matt (Connie) Eresman, Stanley (Charlotte) Eresman, Tony (Charlotte) Eresman; 1 sister, Gladys (Leo) Schneider; 1 sister-in-law, Gladys Eresman; brother-in-laws, Melvin (Dianne) Resch and Richard (Mryna) Resch; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Valentine was born October 30, 1934, on the family farm near Fox Valley to Joe & Elizabeth (Greenwald) Eresman. He was the eldest of 10 children. Valentine married Pauline on October 3, 1964, and had 60, almost 61, years together.
They lived on the family farm for a couple years and then moved into Fox Valley in August 1966 where they lived for 22 years and then they bought a little house on 2nd Street so they could semi retire to Medicine Hat. They moved to Medicine Hat permanently in the fall of 1988. Val continued to farm until his retirement in 1999.
They built their dream house in Medicine Hat in 2002. Dad was diagnosed with COPD in 2020 and it was hard for dad to keep up with the yardwork and the big house, so they downsized to a condo in Fairway Village in May 2021. Dad was also diagnosed with Dementia. Mom took very good care of him, until Jan 2023 when his health declined that he needed more help. We moved him into Meadow Ridge where he lived until he lost his mobility in spring of 2025 and we then moved him into River Ridge, until his passing.
Valentine was predeceased by his parents, Joe & Elizabeth Eresman; in-laws, Frank & Christina (Miller) Resch; sisters and brother-in-laws, Clara & Art Dietz, Rose & Ralph Dietz, Caroline & John Sehn; brother, Ron Eresman; and brother-in-law, Randy Resch.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Meadow Ridge facility and River Ridge facility for taking care of him like family.
Vigil Prayers will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:00PM at Holy Family Parish. The Funeral Mass will be Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 10:30AM at Holy Family with Fr. Fernando Genogaling celebrant.
Donations in Valentine’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society at https://alzheimer.ca or the Canadian Lung Association at https://www.lung.ca
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

GARY GRANT HADWEN

GARY GRANT HADWEN 1945 – 2025 It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Grant Hadwen, who left us on August 30, 2025, at the age of 80 years. A journeyman insulator, he was a member of International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, Local #110 until his retirement. Gary was a loving husband and father who always made himself available for a chat and was a source of advice or comfort if he could be useful. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Valerie; daughter, Tessa; son, Cole; brother-in-law, Robin (Sandy) Klimchuk; stepsisters, Leslie, Joanne, Kim, and Maureen; stepbrothers, Michael, Brady and John, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Viola and William; brothers, Robert and James (Lynn); and stepsister, Geraldine Both. The Memorial Service will be held at River Valley Community Church, 1101 Queen Street SE Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 1B3, on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:00 am with Pastor Mark Borrows officiating. Memorial gifts in Gary’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army Resource Centre, 476 4 Street SE Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 0K6. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Gary Hadwen. 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.

OLGA BABIJ

OLGA BABIJ 1936 ~ 2025 Olga Babij, beloved wife of the late Michal Babij, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the age of 89 years. 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

GERALD HECKBERT

GERALD HECKBERT 1938 ~ 2025 Gerald Heckbert, beloved husband of Bonnie Heckbert of Medicine Hat, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the age of 87 years. 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

VERNON “VERN” HILMOE

VERNON “VERN” HILMOE October 12th, 1945 July 11th, 2025
Vernon Justin Hilmoe passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Home on July 11th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 79. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Linda Hilmoe; son, Jason (Jodi) Hilmoe; daughters, Melissa (Randy) Look and Tammy Calder; grandchildren, Mathew Look, Sidney Calder, Nicholas Look, David Calder, Jacob Hilmoe and Katie Hilmoe; sisters, Myrna Pachal and Deanna Peterson; nephews and niece, Craig, Darren, Jeff, Michael-Jon, David, Curtis, Holly and their families. Vern was predeceased by his parents, Justin and Phyllis Hilmoe; brother, Terrance Hilmoe.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 7th, 2025, from 1-4pm at Garage Pub & Eatery. Please bring your classic car and a memory of Vernon to share. To leave a condolence and read Vern’s life story, please visit 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

HAROLD RATH

HAROLD RATH 1948 ~ 2025 Mr. Harold Allan Rath, loving husband of 56 years to Roberta, passed away in the comfort of his home on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the age of 76 years. Along with Roberta, left to cherish Harold’s memory are his two sons, Raymond and Perry; three grandchildren, Madison, Samantha and Kingston; brother, David; sister, Beverley and her daughter, Brandi. He was predeceased by his parents, Alberta and Eva; brother, Richard; sister, Valerie and nephew, Ryan Peard. Harold was born in the Manyberries Tothill area, where his love for the land and country living began. At an early age, he started worked alongside his family on the ranch, gaining not only skills but a deep appreciation for ranch life. In time, Harold and Roberta purchased the family ranch, where they built their life together and continued to work the land with dedication. Harold remained committed to the ranch and his way of life until his passing. A Celebration of Harold’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Murray Jaster officiating. Private interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery with fellowship thereafter in the Reflections Reception Facility. Harold’s Celebration will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience his celebration can visit the Cook Southland website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Harold’s name may be made directly to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, c/o Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, 666 – 5 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 4H6. (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”

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