Obituaries

HOWES – Valerie Darlene Howes, Sept. 25, 1940 – March 31st, 2019.
Born in Lethbridge, AB. passed away surround by loved ones in Brooks, AB. Valerie joined her son Archie in Heaven. She leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Arthur. Daughters Tammy (Arnie), Rose, son Cory (Heather); granddaughters Kanddi, Mandy (Mike), Angie (Mike), Georgia. Five great-grandchildren – Trystin, Morgan, Tait, Jordy, Dax.
As per her wishes there will be no funeral. Donations can be made to STARS of Brooks Health Center.
Valerie worked hard, fought hard and loved hard. Her smiles will be missed by all.

MIKLOS, Magdalen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Magdalen Miklos, formerly of Brooks, in St. Albert, AB on March 21, 2019 at the age of 97 years.  She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Deborah (Kiyo) Oikawa, 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband, Michael.  A private family burial in Brooks will take place later.

Giesbrecht – With great sadness, we announce the passing of Abram Giesbrecht, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend, on Thursday March 28^th, 2019 at the age of 92 years.  Abe was born into a large family on May 4^th, 1926 in Gouldtown, Saskatchewan.  In his younger years, Abe worked between farm life in Saskatchewan and logging in the winters in Radium, B.C.  After completing training as a Driver Mechanic in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1952, Abe and a buddy headed west looking for work.  They got off the train in Brooks, where they were offered a job by Mr. Bender to work in Millicent, Alberta and surrounding areas on various farms.  At this time he formed a friendship with Bob and Violet Bender that spanned a life time.  After working several years, Abe purchased a lot in Brooks, where he built his house and met his beautiful bride Marjorie Burdett at a nursing social.  Abe and Marj were married on March 18^th, 1961 and were blessed with a son Tom and a daughter Marion.  Abe graduated from SAIT in August, 1966 as a Journeyman Carpenter and worked on various projects around town, where he met his good friend Harry Nielsen.  In 1968 the Giesbrecht’s moved to their farm in Duchess, where he combined his love of carpentry and farm life.  During this time, he raised Angus cattle that were sold around the world.  In 1986, Abe and Marj retired and moved back to Brooks, where he spent many hours gardening and in his work shop.  Abe’s lifelong love of music blossomed in his retirement as he spent many hours either playing a keyboard, button accordion and violin.  They lived in their house on Chinook Crescent until 2004, when they moved into the Newbrook Lodge.  At the Lodge Abe took his love of music with him and enjoyed many hours playing the chord organ and gardening.  In recent years, Abe spent many happy times with his niece Darlene Hiebert.  They enjoyed road trips visiting family, trips to Tim’s or to the A&W for a cup of coffee and a bowl of soup.  Darlene shared her love of cooking with Abe, always bringing him homemade pickles, jams, soups and buns and whatever else she experimented with.  Abe was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie, parents, Frank and Elizabeth, his siblings and his grandson Jeffrey.  Abe is survived by his son Tom (Evelyn), grandson Jonathan, and great grandchildren; daughter Marion (Reuben), grandchildren Kaeman and Camille, and numerous nieces and nephews.  Our sincere thanks to all the hard work the staff at the Newbrook Lodge provided Abe and Marj over the years.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 6^th at 11:00 AM from Brooks United Church. Rev. Esther Crews officiating. Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Abe, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta   T1J 4K7.

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

URLACHER

William “Bill” Andrew Urlacher of Medicine Hat, passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at the age of 62 years.  He leaves to cherish his memory three children, Jennifer (Chris) Watkins of Medicine Hat, Tamara Urlacher of Moose Jaw and D.J. Evans of Medicine Hat; five grandchildren, Nathan, Prudence, Mya, Brooke and Braxtyn; his mother Viola Urlacher; two brothers, Brian Urlacher and Ross Urlacher; three sisters, Patricia Schaap, Donna (Scott) Irwin and Kris Wagar (Chris Duren) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his stepfather Lorne Wagar.  The funeral service was held in the PATTISON CHAPEL on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant, David Townsend.   To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Bill Urlacher, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com  and leave a message of condolence.  Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE,  Medicine Hat T1A 2V6.  Please call 1-866-526-2214 for further information.

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”