Obituaries

Louise, GeNel Louise of Brooks passed away on March 22, 2019 at the age of 77. GeNel was born in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 24, 1941 and received her Bachelors of Education and Fine Arts, with Honours. GeNel and her 2 daughters relocated from Detroit to Silver Valley, Alberta in 1974 where she was employed as a school teacher in Duchess and Sedgewick. GeNel spent many years working for Alberta Distance Learning Centre at Barrhead and resided there until her retirement to Brooks in 2001. She enjoyed scrapbooking, reading, playing cards and board games. She grew a large garden, most of which she gave away to those in need. GeNel was known and loved by so many of the neighbourhood children that simply knew her as “Gramma”. She will be remembered for her unending generosity and her love for the Lord. She was a prayer warrior who prayed continually for her friends, her church and her family. GeNel will be lovingly remembered by: her children, Theresa Perry (Dean), Doreen Daniels (Greg) and Sam McLean (Evie); her grandchildren, Crystal-Snow Atkinson (Jamie), David Okell (Alisen), Stephanie Okell (Breanna), Dyanna Varhaug, Jada Daniels, Jaimee McLean and Kameron McLean; her great-grandchildren, Brianna, Brooklyn, Liam, Declan, Deacon, Makayla and Dominic; her brothers, J. Parke Allen (Ann) of the Yukon and Ethan Allen of North Carolina; and many nieces, nephews and their families.
Funeral Services will be held on Wed., March 27 at 2:00 pm at Brooks Evangelical Free Church, 625-8^th St W, Brooks, AB, with Pastor Garth Everett and Rev. Daniel Peters officiating. Graveside Services to follow at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of GeNel, memorial tributes may be made to Grasslands Innovations Project, 805-4^th Avenue W, Brooks, AB, T1R 0Z2, 403-363-1790. For Further information, to light a candle in memory of GeNel or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.

MacKenzie –  Bernice (Bergie) MacKenzie of Brooks, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt, passed away in Brooks on Wednesday, March 13^th, 2019 at the age of 82 years. Bernice was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Herbert and Mona Bareham on April 6^th, 1936. She spent her childhood in Moose Jaw and then moved to Taber in her teen years. Bernice graduated from the Taber High School. She met Gordon MacKenzie and they were married in 1956. Together they resided in Taber with subsequent stops in Blairmore, Pincher Creek, Brooks, Vauxhall and then back to Brooks. Bernice resided for most of her life in Brooks where she raised her family. She will be remembered for her many years of volunteer service with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion. Bernice loved her crafts and curling, as a spectator. She had her own opinions on current affairs, especially U.S. Politics. Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Gordon MacKenzie, son Robert MacKenzie, parents Herbert and Mona Bareham and siblings, Walter Bareham, Daryl Grimes and Douglas Bareham. She is survived by her sons, Scott MacKenzie, G. Douglas MacKenzie and Bruce MacKenzie (Michele); grandchildren, Lauren and Liam MacKenzie; siblings, Harold Bareham, Steve Bareham, Jackie Manderson, Dale Grimes, Linda Grimes Harker, Charlotte Aebig, Bryan Grimes; step siblings, Wayne Grimes, Peggy Griffin and Sharon Grimes and will be forever remembered by her numerous nieces and nephews. An Inurnment Service will be held on Thursday, April 18^th at 12:00 PM from Brooks Cemetery. Celebration of Life to follow at 2:00 PM from EID Legion. In memory of Bernice, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, #200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta   T2E 2P5.

Cremation is entrusted to 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”

HANSEN – Elizabeth Winnifred Friesen Hansen passed away at Sunrise Gardens in Brooks, Alberta in the morning of February 22, 2019. She was loved and respected by many and had a full life of 98 years.
Elizabeth was born in Ischalka, Russia on August 24, 1920 during very difficult times and immigrated with her family in 1924 to Saskatchewan and later to Alberta. She remembered her last move to this area in a covered wagon.
Elizabeth appreciated her seven years of formal education and loved to read and memorize meaningful poems, hymns and scripture.
In 1939 Elizabeth married Jens Peter Hansen, who has predeceased her in 1992. She is also predeceased by 11 siblings and one granddaughter, Kathy. She is survived by one brother and one sister. Together, Jens and Elizabeth had seven children who all survived: Peter/Margaret Hansen, Carl/Vera Hansen, Paul/Irene Hansen, George/Marilyn Hansen, Charles/Wynona Hansen, Linda Hansen and Freda/Tom King. Also surviving are 25 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. She maintains our greatest of love, respect and admiration.
Her memorial service will be held at the Duchess Mennonite Church, where she has been a longtime member and participant on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 2 pm.
Arrangements in care of Thom’s Funeral Home and Reception Centre. For further information please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.  12-13p

Rushka –

Audrey Lucille Rushka of Brooks, beloved wife of Art Rushka of Brooks, passed away in Brooks on Tuesday, March 12^th, 2019 at the age of 80 years. She was born June 25, 1938 to Mary and James Lawrence at Lady Lake, Sask. living most of her early years in Sturgis with a race track behind their home, Audrey discovered her love of horses, and soon was exercising Leo’s thoroughbred ponies. At the Sturgis rodeo in 1954 a young looking jockey and steer rider caught her eye. Audrey would become Art’s bride on June 25, 1957. She felt lucky to have two girls and two boys. With Art in the oil patch they lived in a 35’ trailer and were on the move from Mile 101 Alaska HWY B.C. they made several moves until 1964 they would settle in Brooks. Mom loved all kinds of sports and with Jean Lutes they together started the Brooks Figure skating Club. Teaching skating, came with putting on Carnivals, making costumes, cutting music (literally you had to cut the tape, splice it and hope it was in the right place). With her children in figure skating and hockey she was at the rink full time, never missing any of her kid’s events. To add to her already busy time at the rink, she arranged skaters to be flag barriers for the Brooks Tubers (Jr. B) Hockey Team, becoming the Team mom, mending and washing the team’s jerseys. The Tubers became the Lakeside Spurs in the fall of 1967 and she continued as Team Mom. She was a pitcher for a ladies fast ball team, a member of the Brooks Oilwives. She worked at the Brooks Drycleaners with Connie and Bea. In 1967 they moved to the acreage just NW of Brooks; now they would plant a huge garden each spring, an abundance of produce, was shared with so many, picking raspberries and apples (raspberry jam and fresh apple pies-yum!). Chickens were plenty and mom and Lonny would butcher (yikes!). Enjoyed trips to Vegas and Pahrump Nevada at the Casino mom loved her keno. Ford Creek, Little Bow where they liked to camp and trail ride with friends taking Jeffery along as he enjoyed going. To Alaska in 1986 with friends they traveled; Annual trips to St. Eugene were a nice time, to break up the regular routine. Bow River Riders 4-H, she shared with Nicole, always a part of Regionals in Claresholm. She will be forever in the hearts of her husband Art, and her children Carrie (Dean) Nielsen, Trena (Larry) Ramsay, Lonny and Trevor Rushka; her grandchildren Jerod (Kim) Nielsen, Jonathan Nielsen, Jill Nielsen, Nicole (Danny) Olson, Leighton (Taryn) Ramsay, Derek Rushka, Amy Rushka, Ian Rushka; great-grandchildren, Dawson Bramall-Graham, Kalli and Hayes Nielsen, Deven and Brooklyn Dragon-Nielsen, Jordynn and Clara Olson, Bianca, Parks and Wynter Ramsay, Blayce Rushka, and Brixel Rushka; her sister Valerie Armstrong. Audrey was predeceased by her grandson Jeffery Nielsen; her father and mother James and Mayme Lawrence; her sister Dale Armstrong and a brother Adrian Lawerence. Prayer Services will be held on Tuesday, March 19^th at 7:00 PM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante officiating. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 20^th at 11:00 AM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Marino Infante Celebrant. In memory of Audrey, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Brooks and District Health Foundation for Long Term Care, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta   T1R 1B3.

Cremation is entrusted to 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”

Timko – Joe Timko was born on June 12^th, 1931 in their family home west of Tilley. He died on Sunday, March 10^th, 2019 at the Brooks Health Centre at the age of 87 years. Joe was the fifth of what would be a family of seven. Joe’s father Andrew emigrated to Canada in 1924 and in 1926 his mother Mary and Joe’s older brother John and sister Annie moved to Canada, first to work in the mines in southern British Columbia and then in 1928 to Tilley to the farm where Joe was born. Joe began school at Rothsey one room school and then went to Tilley where he completed his formal education. After finishing school, Joe worked full time on the family farm, first with his older brother John and after John bought his own farm Joe farmed the home quarter along with help from his siblings Mary, Margaret, and the youngest family member Martin. After working on the farm and brother Martin had finished school, Joe decided to change his career path and moved to Calgary where he spent his working life. He got a job first working in a foundry and then eventually got work for the city of Calgary operating a backhoe. Uncle Joe went on to teach himself how to repair Televisions and had a television repair business. In addition to repairing customer TV’s Uncle Joe was in high demand at homes of all relatives to fix TV’s. After retiring Joe moved to Brooks where he spent several years enjoying Curling, Horseshoes, and Sudoka at the A&W. He was competitive at anything he did and he liked to win. Joe was predeceased by his father Andrew, mother Mary, his brothers John and George, and his sister Annie. Joe is survived by his daughter Jenny; granddaughter Brandy; brother Martin Timko (Joyce) of Tilley; two sisters, Mary Chomistek of Scandia, Alberta, and Margaret Kurucz of Calgary and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 16^th at 11:00 AM from the Heritage Inn and Convention Centre, Brooks. Mr. Joe Chomistek officiating. Interment at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Joe, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Newbrook Lodge, c/o Newell Foundation, 500 – 3^rd Street East, Brooks, Alberta   T1R 1P6.

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”

Slomp – John Slomp of Brooks, beloved husband of Agnes, went home to his Heavenly Father, on Friday, March 8^th, 2019, at the age of 90 years.  John was born in Ruinerwold, Netherlands on December 18^th, 1928 to Jan and Lammy Slomp.  He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1948, where they settled in Picture Butte, Alberta.  He met Agnes Visser and they were married March 17^th, 1955 in Taber, Alberta.  The newlyweds worked on a farm near Duchess, before purchasing their own in the One Tree area east of Brooks.  They had a mixed farm of pigs, cows and crops.  Along the way, they had 8 children.  John and Agnes were active members of the Brooks Christian Reformed Church.  They moved into Brooks in 1993, where he took up golf and curling.  Through these sports, he made many wonderful friends in the community.  He also cherished his coffee time with friends at Freson Brothers and A&W.  John was always quick to share the accomplishments of children and grandkids.  He was proud to have stayed living independently in his own home until November, 2018, when he and Agnes moved to Orchard Manor.  John was predeceased by his brother Tieme, sisters Grace (Deunk), Jennie (Borkent) and Hennie (Dronkelaar) and his parents Jan and Lammie Slomp.  He is survived by his loving wife Agnes; brother Henry (Willhelmien); children John (Alice), Alice Nicholson, Karl (Linda), Linda (Glen) Ohlmann, Betty (James) Parent, Randy, Brian (Sherry), and Leroy (Michelle) and 19 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.  Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 13^th at 2:00 PM from the Brooks Christian Reformed Church with Pastor John Vanderburgh officiating. Interment at Brooks Cemetery.  In memory of John, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either World Renew, 3475 Mainway Station LCD 1, Burlington, Ontario   L7R 3Y8 or STARS, Suite 100, 1519 – 35^th Avenue East, Edmonton International Airport   T9E 0V6.

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”

FLANAGAN, Marjorie Paterson
September 11, 1938 – March 5, 2019

Marjorie Paterson Flanagan, age 80, passed away on March 5th, 2019, losing her final battle with cancer. Marj was born on September 11th, 1938. Raised in Medicine Hat, she trained to be a nurse, in which she excelled. After graduating, Marj moved and nursed in Calgary. In April of 1962, she married Wallace Flanagan. Later, they settled in Wallace’s hometown of Bassano, Alberta.
Marjorie was caring, practical, and dedicated. Above all she was tenacious. She pursued her goals with a single-minded determination. While raising a family, she went from nursing to administrating the Bassano General Hospital. Also during this time, she completed a degree in Business through correspondence. In 1985, Wallace purchased an insurance agency in Claresholm, and they and their daughter moved there.
Marj ran a consultancy firm advising on hospital accreditations until a role in hospital administration came up locally. She went on to manage both the Claresholm General Hospital and the Claresholm Auxiliary Hospital. Suffice it to say; when she retired they replaced her with two people. Marj volunteered and contributed to any community she was a member. She was a driving force in creating the kindergarten in Bassano and was the president of the Claresholm Bridges Golf Club when they expanded the course to 18 holes.
Marj fought cancer four times. Unfortunately, her tenacity did not get her through the last bout.
Marj loved her family fiercely. She is predeceased by her son Donne, brothers Norman and Allan, mother Violet and father, Robert. She is survived by her husband Wallace, daughter Jill, daughter-in-law Deirdre, granddaughter Eileen, grandson Kieran, and half-sister Nikki.
Marj and Wallace have been grateful to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre (960 19 St S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 1W5) for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, please donate to them.
Arrangements entrusted to Willow Creek Funeral Home, Claresholm. Tel: 403-625-3212. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.willowcreekfuneralhome.com

Baksa – Elizabeth (Liz) Baksa of Brooks, beloved wife of the late James Baksa, passed away in Brooks on Sunday, March 3^rd, 2019 at the age of 88 years.  Liz was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan on May 30^th, 1930 to Jim and Katherine Hajash.  She moved to the Duchess area with her parents and siblings in 1935, and then to the One Tree area east of Brooks in 1939.  Liz married James Baksa of Tilley on October 23^rd, 1948.  She and Jim farmed and raised their family in the Brooks and One Tree area.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She loved nothing more than to spend time with her family.  She especially enjoyed the summer outings to Steveville to picnic and pick Saskatoon berries and chokecherries along the river bank with all of her family.  After her children started their own families, Liz kept her house full of love by rounding up her grandchildren – there was always a herd of them over at Grandma’s.  She enjoyed the time she spent with her grandkids watching movies, playing board games, and playing cards.  Liz was an amazing baker, and she enjoyed teaching some of her grandchildren how to bake her special family recipes.  Liz was a life member of the OORP, was a member of the CWL and the FWA, and sang in the St. Mary’s funeral choir for many years.  She was predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 2011, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.  Liz is survived by her children Jim (Marg), Randy (Cory), Mick (Susan) all of Brooks, Rob (Carol) of Evansberg, Alberta, and Kathy (Gord) Olsen of Brooks; 15 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren, and 5 great, great grandchildren, as well as her sister-in-law Jacqueline Hajash and many nieces and nephews.  Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 9^th at 11:00 AM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Rev. Marino Infante officiating.  Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery.  In memory of Liz, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Diabetes Canada, 1510 – 2^nd Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta   T1J 0G1.

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”

Torkelson – Victor Brad Torkelson, born to Brad and Fern Torkelson on Friday, February 28^th, 2019, passed away peacefully two days later in his parent’s arms on Saturday, March 2nd, 2019.  In addition to his parents, Victor will be lovingly remembered by his four sisters – Lynnita, Karla, Jennifer and Amy; his three brothers – Brendle, Daryl, and Russell, all at home; his grandparents – Ray and Dixie Torkelson of Tilley, AB. and Ivan Jr. and Doris Martin of Myerstown, PA; as well as numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.  Victor was born with Trisomy 18, a genetic condition that makes it very difficult to handle life on earth.  In spite of this, he bravely fulfilled his life’s mission in just over forty hours.  His parents and siblings feel greatly privileged to be the ones chosen to love and care for him while he was here.  They treasure the moments of gazing into his sweet little face, cuddling him and showing their love to him by feeding him one drop at a time and later with a feeding tube.  Most of his short life was spent in their loving arms and he especially found comfort in the arms of his mother.  Victor is now free from all physical suffering and limitations.  He does not wish to come back to earth. The gentle arms that cradle him now bring him far more comfort than the best love and care given from family here.  He is now at rest, waiting for his loved ones to join him in heaven.  Funeral services were held on Friday, March 8^th at 10:30 AM from the Tilley Community Centre. Pastor Luke Kropf officiated.  Interment was held at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, Tilley.

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”

DYCK – George William Dyck passed away, surrounded by his family on March 1st, after living with progressive supranuclear palsy for the last 10 years. George was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who will be remembered for his sense of humour, and for his kind and gentle nature. George was a great cook, and he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, carpentry and gardening. George is predeceased by his father (George), mother (Katie), and sister (Frieda). He is survived by his wife Pat, children JoDee (Sean), Jason, and four grandchildren, Riley, Sam, Ava, and Drew; his siblings Barb DeFreese (Lanny), Dennis, Terry (Theresa), and Wanda Walle, and numerous nieces and nephews. George was born in Rosemary, the second of six children of George and Katie Dyck, on February 8, 1943. In 1947 the family moved to a farm in Makepeace, where George attended school. After finishing high school in Bassano he worked in the oil and gas industry and lived in Calgary where he married Pat in 1973. They moved their family to Bassano in 1976 and George farmed there until 1987. He then worked for Bassano transport and managed Spring Valley trucking until he retired in 2010. The family would like to thank Dr. Jamie Richards, and all the nurses and staff at the Bassano hospital for the exceptional care they gave George during the last year of his life. A private service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bassano and District Health Foundation at 608 5 Avenue , Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0. For further information, to light a candle in memory of George, to make a charitable donation or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403) 501-1010.