Obituaries

Althea Wester passed away at the age of 94 on March 28 at Brooks Alberta.

Althea was born in 1925 at Redcliff Alberta to Lawrence and Annie Schaffer.

Althea was raised in the Redcliff/Bowell area moving to the Tilley district in 1955 after marrying Ralph. Raising their family while operating a mixed grain and poultry farm, Althea loved to travel and visited many places throughout North America, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Australia. She was involved in the various ladies’ groups of the church during her life. Althea and Ralph resided on the farm at Tilley until Althea moved into the Orchard Manor in 2011.

Althea is preceded in death by Debbie (daughter) 1959-2009, Lawrence (father) 1878-1944, Annie (mother) 1886-1958, Edna (sister) 1906-1970, Maggie (sister) 1909-1909, John (brother) 1910-1980, Frank (brother) 1913-1987, Charles (brother) 1915-2003, Mary (sister) 1917-1995, Alfred (brother) 1920-1964, Annie (sister) 1922-1977, Ira “Bill” (brother) 1929-2009.

Althea is survived by her husband of almost 65 years O R “Ralph” Wester.

Son Daniel Wester (Linda). Grandson Greg (Cabrinie) great granddaughters Octavia and Aurelia, great grandson Evander. Grandson Dale (Jody) great grandsons Benjamin and Reid.

Son David Wester (Susan). Grandson Andrew (Andria) great grandson Matthew. Grandson Bradley (Anita) great granddaughters Michaela and Hailey. Grandson Christopher (Vanessa) great granddaughter Nadia and great grandson Gunnar. Granddaughter Laura Froese (Darryl) great grandsons Hanzel, James, William, Erik, Stanley, and Gustav. Granddaughter Melissa.

Daughter Tammy Beutel (Gary). Granddaughter Kimberley Findlay (Ben) great granddaughters Ada and Harper. Grandson Ryan Beutel. Granddaughter Brittany Herak (Daniel).

Althea loved the Lord and lived her life to bless others. Her last years were consumed with Dementia and spent in Orchard Manor then Sunrise Gardens in Brooks. We want to thank the staff of both facilities for their patience and excellent care. Also thank you to Dr Thompson for your care of Althea.

In consideration of the current world health situation there will be no funeral at this time. We the immediate family will remember her life in private. Any further celebration of life will be at a later date.

Hankins – Helen May Hankins of Newbrook Lodge, Brooks, passed away on Saturday, March 28^th, 2019 at the age of 96 years. A Funeral Service will be announced on Smith Funeral Home Ltd. website when finalized.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks

For updated Funeral Service announcements please visit   www.sfh.ca

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:

SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM BROOKS, ALBERTA 

Condolences may be forwarded through   www.sfh.ca

Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652

“Our Families Serving Your Family Since 1951”

Damon Clarke of Rosemary, beloved son of Harry, passed away at Brooks Health Centre on March 28, 2020 at the age of 19. Funeral service and obituary details will be made available once finalized.

Levie – Marlene Ann Levie of Brooks, beloved wife of the late Rueben Levie, passed away in Brooks on Sunday, March 29^th, 2020 at the age of 82 years. A Funeral Service will be announced on Smith Funeral Home Ltd. website when finalized.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks

For updated Funeral Service announcements please visit   www.sfh.ca

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:

SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM

BROOKS, ALBERTA 

Condolences may be forwarded through   www.sfh.ca

Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652

“Our Families Serving Your Family Since 1951”

John Thomas Whittaker was born in the District of Salvador, Saskatchewan on May 28, 1923 and passed away in Brooks, Alberta on March 28, 2020. “Jack” as he was known his entire life, grew up on the family farm at Luseland, Saskatchewan.  He enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 and became a navigator, flying Halifax bombers with 431 SQN. Following his return from the war, Jack enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, graduating as a Professional Engineer.  He joined the PFRA at Swift Current, Saskatchewan and in 1951 he was sent to Vauxhall to work on the PFRA’s newest project to irrigate southern Alberta. That project was completed in 1974 and he was then sent to Outlook, Saskatchewan to operate the Diefenbaker Dam until his retirement in 1979, when he and mom relocated to Brooks for their retirement.

Dad was a very avid curler and had a passion for golf.  He also very much enjoyed having a cold one at the Legion.  He held the position of President of the Vauxhall Legion for a number of years and received a lifetime membership.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Ruth in 2010, father Harry in 1967, mother Gertrude in 1987, brother Gordon in 1994 and sister Jean in 2018.  He is survived by son Ron (Phyllis), daughter Mona Derdall (Boyd), daughter Rena Garland (Bob), 7 grandchildren Jacqueline (Paul), Kerridan (Cameron), Jamie (Allena), Evan (Carson), Amanda (Daryl), Jennifer (Andrew) and Scott, and 14 great grandchildren, Gracie, Molly, Jack, Jacob, Alexander, Thomas, Charlize, Chase, Nolan, Carver, Kaybri , Rylee, Eli and Connor.

A Memorial Service and Internment will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, a donation to The Red Cross or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Schlachter – Carol Schlachter (nee Donahue) was born April 30, 1940 in Medicine Hat, AB passed on March 23, 2020 in Brooks, Ab after a lengthy illness.

Carol loved being a wife, mother, homemaker and friend. She will be remembered by her loving husband Andy, daughter Joan (Don Dunlop), sons Dean, Steven (Lori), Jim (Leanne), and grandchildren Trevor (Breanne), Alison, and Andrew.

Carol had a passion for the outdoors and being with her family. She especially enjoyed camping, fishing and bear drills. She loved and participated in all sports, individual and team, with a particular interest in golf and curling.

Employed by the Brooks School District, Carol started as a part time librarian, eventually becoming secretary of BCHS. She went on to set up the offices and work as Secretary of Eastbrook and Griffin Park Schools. As an entrepreneur, Carol was co-owner of Pronghorn Sports/Sportside and WeeksEnd for 24 years.

Carol valued the opportunity to serve her community. Throughout her life she was a member of many community service groups, including Beta Sigma Phi, the Royal Canadian Legion, BRZ and the Brooks Chamber of Commerce. She was a notably devoted member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) since 1958. Just prior to her passing, Carol was awarded Life Membership of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, by the National Council, in recognition of her many years of Service, love of the League, and mentorship she provided to members at all levels. Carol has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy with her family, parish and community.

There will be a private Funeral Mass Celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante Celebrant. A Memorial Mass to follow at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to either the Canadian Catholic Missions of Canada, 1155 Younge Street, Toronto, Ontario   M4T 1W2 or Prairie Rose Hospice Palliative Care Society – Equipment for Care Rooms and Patients, 24 Coultis Court, Brooks, Alberta   T1R 0J8.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:

SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM

BROOKS, ALBERTA

Condolences may be forwarded through   www.sfh.ca

Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652

“Our Families Serving Your Family Since 1951”

Meador – James Allan Meador of Brooks, beloved husband of Sandy Meador, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the age of 69 years. Jim was born in Camrose, AB on September 21, 1950 to Kenneth and Margaret Meador. Jim was the second oldest of five children. During his childhood, his family spent time in Calgary, Grand Prairie, Sangudo, and back to Calgary in 1960. In his younger years, Jim was a star in track and field, and exceptional in baseball and hockey. After attending high school at William Aberhart, Jim moved to Brooks in 1968 and started working at the Auction Mart. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Sandra Redelback. They married on February 21, 1970 in Brooks and have spent the last 50 years in the area. Jim spent the next several years pipelining and running heavy equipment, including part ownership of Twin M Excavating for a time. Jim desired to spend more time with the family and less hours on the road. It was at this time that he switched careers and began working for the Eastern Irrigation District where he invested close to 30 years before retiring as operations manager in 2011. When not at work, Jim enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, fishing, golfing, gardening, woodworking, playing pool and spoiling his dogs, Sydney and Maggie. Jim loved his family dearly and took great pride in his four grandchildren. He was highly respected in the community and treasured by many. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy Meador; his daughter Tammy (Chris) Cameron of Lethbridge, grandchildren Kristen Cameron of Three Hills, Josh and Taylor Cameron of Lethbridge; his son Daryl (Jackie) Meador and grandson Carter Meador of Brooks; brother Don (Jeanne) Meador of Edmonton; sister Joan Dewis of Calgary; brother Willy (Marty) Meador of Red Deer and sister Karen (Paul) McKay of Cochrane. A private family service was held on Friday, March 27 at 1:00 PM from Smith Memorial Chapel. Rev. Wayne Boersma officiating.

“In memory of Jim, please plant yellow flowers this spring, his favourite colour”

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:

SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM

BROOKS, ALBERTA

Condolences may be forwarded through   www.sfh.ca

Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652

Charlotte Hirch
Mar. 1, 1937 to Mar. 17, 2020
HIRCH – Charlotte Hirch went to be with her Lord and Saviour on March 17, 2020 at the age of 83 years. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. Charlotte is survived by: Linda (Earl) Binder, Dorothy (Victor) Lethbridge, Rolf Hirch (Vicki), Larry (Rachelle) Hirch and Sheila Hirch (Matthias), as well as grandchildren; Jessica (Justin) Mohan, Karla (Derek) Wolbeck, Ellie Hirch (Brett Kanuka), Conor Hirch, Liam Hirch, Maddie Hirch, Telissa Lethbridge, great grandsons; Bennett and Koen Wolbeck; brother Norbert Hirschkorn, and numerous nieces and nephews. Charlotte was predeceased by her grandson Brett Binder, sister Isoldi Toly and her husband of 62 years, Reinhold. Charlotte was born March 1, 1937 in Tarutino, Bessarabia, Romania, which is modern day Moldova. Her German ancestors farmed in this area for over 125 years having arrived in the early 1800s as a result of Catherine the Great’s resettling initiative with farmers of German descent. Charlotte’s grandfather was the last mayor of Tarutino, a city of 10,000. It was during the start of WWII that all occupants were evacuated, and her family was sent to a refugee camp in Bavaria, Germany. From there they were required to go to Poland where her father managed a series of farms. As the war was ending, Charlotte’s parents, Alfred and Lily Hirschkorn and two siblings, Isolde (Toly) and Norbert, fled for a second time. This journey brought them to Germany as war refugees. Their wagon was one of a small percentage that survived the dangerous trek. In Germany they lived in barracks in Neu Wulmstorf, east of Hamburg, where her father worked on the docks. He looked for any opportunity to immigrate to his country of choice, Canada. This chance came with the help of the Canadian Red Cross in 1953. Charlotte sailed with her family aboard the Beaverbrae to St. John, New Brunswick. The journey continued by train to Lethbridge, Alberta. It was there that her family fulfilled their two-year work contract by hoeing sugar beets for a local farmer and in this way paid back the resettlement program. Their home was a two-room converted wooden grain bin that they managed to keep warm during the harsh winters. Upon arrival, 16 years old Charlotte did not speak English but soon learned. Other displaced Germans, with similar back grounds, arrived in those years and the young people met each other at dances and church and in this way, many found their life partners. So, it was with Charlotte who met Reinhold in 1955. They fell in love and were soon married. The young couple purchased land and arrived in Rolling Hills mid-November 1957 with one-year old Linda and newborn Dorothy. Their move happened during a snowstorm and it was the year when many snow-covered crops were still in the fields. It was a sign of the tenacity that it took to farm in the years to come. As Rolf and then Larry arrived, a new house was built in 1962 and then the last child, Sheila, was born. Charlotte was always a competitive and very good athlete. She enjoyed curling, her successful running wins at the Summer Games, clogging as part of the Clicky Chicks dancers, and gardening. She especially enjoyed growing her varieties of prairie-hardy fruit and shelter belt trees. Charlotte could tell you where every tree came from and many hours were spent pulling an irrigation hose around the yard, garden and her orchard. Charlotte loved to discover something new and enthusiastically share it with others. This could have been a new herb, tea, a new variety of flax, scarves, or the latest gadget like the cranking flashlights that she generously gifted to those around her. Charlotte loved music and had her own style of dancing to her favourites, Elvis and Tom Jones, as her children delightedly watched in awe of their mother’s moves. In her mid-forties her taste for music turned to a contemporary Christian music style and she loved to dance before the Lord with her hands up in praise. She attended the Faith Lutheran Church, the Rolling Hills Church of God, and she enjoyed going to The Well Church in Brooks. She was deeply spiritual and anyone who knew her soon realized that her passion as a Christian was a hope that she shared with many. Charlotte generously supported numerous ministries that she believed in, especially those that furthered the spreading of the gospel. She displayed her Christianity in that she was quick to forgive and always saw the best in everyone. One of Charlotte’s greatest joys was spending time with the family. She especially loved being with her grandchildren, “the Kindies”, and always looked forward to their many visits and family time. Her heart was big as she generously included and welcomed new children to her role as “Oma”. Charlotte / Mom / Oma / Gross Oma / Tanta Lotte was thankful for her life in Canada, which was a peaceful refuge from her early years of experiencing so much war. She was loved by many and her generosity, wisdom and kindness will be greatly missed. Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
For further information, to light a candle in memory of Charlotte or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.

Sandra, Dianne and Lynda are very sad to announce the passing of our father, Joseph (Joe) Byciuk on Sunday, March 15, 2020 in Kelowna. He was 82 years old.

Our dad fought a courageous battle with cancer over the past two years. He was so happy to retire in Kelowna. We had many family vacations in the Okanagan.

A man larger than life itself, he made an impression on everyone he met.

Special thanks to the staff at Brookhaven where our dad spent his final days. The care and compassion he received was outstanding.

Donations to the Canadian Cancer society appreciated.

Please take a moment to listen to the Elvis version “I did it my way” – our dad’s favourite song.

Wagner – Marie Anna Wagner (Steinback) of Brooks, passed away on Monday, March 9^th, 2020 at the Brooks Health Centre, at the age of 102 years, 6 months and 10 days. Marie was born on August 28^th, 1917 on a homestead near Krupp, Saskatchewan, a small community south of Leader, to Paul and Thekla Wingenback. She married Jacob (Jack) Steinback on February 4^th, 1936 and shortly after, they moved to a homestead near Clashmoor, Saskatchewan (north of Tisdale, Saskatchewan) along with her parents and three brothers. Marie and Jack were blessed with 5 children and they all lived together in a one room shack. The family moved to Tisdale in 1950 and Marie worked at the hospital as a housekeeper for many years. After Jack’s passing in 1968, Marie and her son Bill owned and operated a hotel/bar/cafe in Lancer, Saskatchewan. In 1973, she married Kasper Wagner and lived in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and then Medicine Hat. Kasper had a family of four that she became “Mom” to as well. After Kasper’s passing in 1999, Marie moved to Brooks to be near her family. Marie was predeceased by husbands, Jacob Steinback and Kasper Wagner; sons, Lloyd (2008) and Peter (2010); daughter, Ruby Huber (2017); parents, Paul and Thekla Wingenback; brothers, John, Kasper and Tony and their wives; son-in-law Dale Richards (2013) and step-son Jack Brown (1990). Marie is survived by her children, Bill Steinback and Marie Richards; daughters-in-law Clara and Muriel Steinback; step-children, Julien, Terese, Celeste and Paula; their spouses and families, as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Family graveside services will be held at a later date.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:

SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM

BROOKS, ALBERTA

Condolences may be forwarded through   www.sfh.ca

Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652

“Our Families Serving Your Family Since 1951”