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Funk, Helen
Funk, Helen of Coaldale passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2005 at the age of 92 years. She was born in the Ukraine on August 19, 1913 and emigrated to Canada in 1948. As a result of war, her first husband, Isaak Dueck, was taken from the family and never heard from again. Helen settled in Coaldale where she resided for the rest of her life. She was baptized in the Ukraine as a young girl and became a member of the Coaldale Mennonite Church. She was an avid gardener, and enjoyed cooking, reading, and watching TV. Helen was a resident of Long Term Care at the Coaldale Health Care Centre for over five years. Her family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Lukenyaar, the nurses and staff at the Coaldale Health Care Centre for their wonderful care of mom for such a long time. Helen is survived by her loving family: 1 son John (Anne) Dueck of Coaldale, 2 daughters Maria (Klaus) Voigt of Prince George, B.C., and Helen (Vern) Fast of Hundred Mile House, B.C.; 6 grandchildren Ken, Teresa, Roxanne, Rodney, Mark, and Michael; 3 great-grandchildren Aaron, Tyler and Kashandra; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Helen was predeceased by her parents Aaron and Helen Mantler, and her second husband George Funk in 1988. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 19, 2005, from 7 to 8 pm at Coaldale Funeral Home Ltd., 1711-20 Street, Coaldale. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 at 2:00 pm at Coaldale Mennonite Church with Mr. Gerald Klassen and Mr. George Klassen officiating. Interment to follow at Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery.
Anhorn, Kyleigh Mae
Anhorn, Kyleigh Mae of Raymond passed away at her home in Raymond on January 29, 2006. Kyleigh was born on April 23, 2003 in Lethbridge, Alberta. Kyleigh’s hobbies included movies, bath time, shopping, manicures, reading, cuddles, having her feet rubbed as well as being a loving child. Kyleigh is survived by her mother Carrie Hunter, her father Robert Anhorn and her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. If desired, memorial donations can be made to SMA Support Inc. P.O. Box 6301, Kokomo, IN 46904-6301 or visit SMASupport.com and donate using paypal. The Prayer Service will be held on Friday, February 3, 2006 at 7:00 pm at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 1513 - 23 Avenue, Coaldale. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 4, 2006 at 11:00 am at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Tito Ranola Celebrant. Interment to follow in Mountain View Cemetery.Arrangements entrusted to Coaldale Funeral Home Ltd. 1711-20 Street, Coaldale.
Ronald Breitkreutz
RONALD “RON” HARVEY BREITKREUTZ of Coaldale, beloved husband of Mary, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the age of 72 years, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Besides his wife he is survived by his daughters Lori (Greg) Schinkel of Coaldale and Gina Breitkreutz of Monarch, AB and cherished grandchildren Adam and Marisa Schinkel. He is also survived by one brother Alvin of Wildwood, AB and his five children, many brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Lydia.
Ron was born in Stony Plain, AB on November 7, 1940. He lived there until the early 1960’s, at which time he moved to Southern Alberta where he met and married Mary Friesen on September 4, 1965.
He worked for Alberta Transportation as project manager for 35 years. Upon retirement he took up curling, a sport he enjoyed participating in with his grandchildren, winning many family bonspiels. He also volunteered many hours curling events such as the Scotties and World Women’s events. In everything Ron did his motto was “do it right the first time”. He was the first person to lend a hand when help was needed.
At Ron’s request a Memorial Service as well as a private family Inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity or a donation to the Canadian Blood Services.
Many thanks for the compassionate care of all the nurses and doctors on 4B at CRH and at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit.
John Nedza
John Nedza of Coaldale passed away peacefully at the Coaldale Health Care Centre on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the age of 91 years. He was born in Poland on August 1, 1921. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Anastasia, their children Paul (Avis) and Edward (Delaine), and grandchildren Fallon (Mike) and Renae. He is also survived by one sister (Mary) in Poland.
Being the oldest of five siblings, John was made to work from a very young age to help the family. During World War II John was forced to work on a farm in Germany. There he met his wife Anastasia and they married after the war. In 1950 they immigrated to Canada with their small son Paul. After surviving a long boat trip, they landed in Halifax and were to leave immediately for Lethbridge by train but John and a friend got separated from the group and actually arrived in Lethbridge a week after everyone else.
John worked for Charlton & Hill for 45 years as a roofer and foreman. When he retired he was the only roofer who worked that long in the roofing trade. He used his roofing knowledge to help people with their roof problems.
John was very active in the Community. He was a school trustee for a number of years with St. Joseph’s School and active in the St Ambrose Church as a member, usher and volunteer. He loved to be outdoors and working in the yard. He will be greatly missed. Thank you to the staff at the Coaldale Health Care Center. You were all absolutely great with John.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in John’s memory to the Coaldale Health Care Centre, 2100 – 11 Street, Coaldale, AB T1M 1L2.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, June 24, 2013 at ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH | 1513 23 Ave, Coaldale with Father Thomas Vadassery, celebrant.
Peter Retzlaff
Peter Retzlaff of Coaldale, beloved husband of the late Helena (Baergen) Retzlaff passed away peacefully at the Sunny South Lodge on Friday, January 16, 2015 at the age of 88 years. Peter was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Peter was born in Duchess, Alberta on November 14, 1926 to Heinrich and Elizabeth (Barg) Retzlaff. He spent his early years growing up on a farm outside of Rosemary, Alberta with his parents and six siblings. He considered himself to be a “high school drop-out” because he had to stop his schooling after Grade 10 to help out on the farm; however, after spending one winter at home, he chose to attend Mennonite Bible Institute (MBI) in Didsbury, Alberta for four winters. It was there that his faith was firmly established, and this led to his baptism on May 28, 1944. It was also at MBI that he met Helena Baergen. Peter attended Rosthern Junior College for two years and completed high school, after which time he married Helena on October 15, 1949. The couple briefly settled in Rosemary before moving to Winnipeg for 1950/51 so Peter could study at Canadian Mennonite Bible College. After this time they returned to Rosemary.
In Rosemary, Peter was ordained to the Ministry in 1954. In 1955, after doing lay ministry work and experiencing five crop failures in a row on the farm, Peter, Helen and their growing family of three children moved to Saskatchewan to serve at the North Battleford Mennonite Mission. Three years later, in 1958, the family moved to the US where Peter studied at Bethel College, received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and eventually become a teacher, with a focus on English. Students remembered him as having high expectations but also preparing them extremely well for university studies. His combined skills of pastor, teacher, and handyman enabled him to earn income through the family’s nine years in the US. Two additional children arrived during this time. Having received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, he was called by the Coaldale Mennonite Church to be their first paid pastor.
Peter’s studies and work took the family to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. A dedicated church leader, he pastored at Faith Mennonite Church (Greensburg, KS), Turpin Mennonite Church (OK), Evangelical United Brethren Church (Brimfield and New Paris, IN), Coaldale Mennonite Church (AB), Bethel Mennonite Church (BC), and Vineland United Mennonite Church (ON). Beginning in the early 1970s, Peter was actively involved on the Canadian Mennonite Conference Executive Board. He influenced progressive change through those years, but one of the most significant contributions for him was his ability to help establish salary guidelines for workers in the church, something most pastors are grateful for to this day.
In his retirement years, Peter enjoyed woodworking, reading, and helping family with renovation projects. He also enjoyed a number of volunteering opportunities, including preparing income tax return for low-income people and seniors, working at the MCC Thrift Shop and serving on various Conference and church related committees and boards. He was a life-long learner, reading and discussing books like “I am Malala” with his nurses up until the week before he died.
Peter is survived by his children Leonora (Henry) Paetkau, Anna Mae (Jack) Neufeld, Dan (Mary Lynn) Retzlaff, Luella (Ken) Bartel, and Rose (Doug) Klassen; two sisters Betty (Dave) Nickel, Helen (Alvin) Lepp, three brothers Henry (Erna) Retzlaff, Jake (Lydia) Retzlaff, John (Heidi) Retzlaff, and sister-in-law Anne Retzlaff. Peter was proud of his grandchildren Paul (Julie) Neufeld, Heidi (Jorge) Garcia, Kristy (Brandon) Oberg, Shari (Richard) Janzen, Josh (Stacy) Pritchard, Reece Retzlaff, Angie (Tyler) Carlson, Becky (Greg) Oulahen, Maggie (Chris) Barry, Steven and Jonathan Bartel, Danielle, Jana, and Levi Klassen; and great-grandchildren Brooke, Grace, Tyler, Madisen, Haydn, Alison, Hudson, Kaitlyn, Brody, Natalie, and Jacob. Peter was pre-deceased by his wife Helena, his parents, and his brother Bernie.
Donations in memory of Peter can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
SIGURJON ANDERSON
2009
SIGURJON STEPHEN ANDERSON passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the age of 77 years.
A Celebration of Si’s Life will be held at the CARMANGAY COMMUNITY CENTRE, Grand Avenue and Whyte Street (formerly the school), Carmangay on Saturday June 20, 2009 at 1:00 P.M.
In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317-10th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, #207, 542 7th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2H1.
PEGGY ANKILL
1921 - 2009
MRS. MARGARET (PEGGY) ANKILL, beloved wife of the late Mr. Robert (Bob) Ankill, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the age of 87 years.
Peggy is survived by her daughters, Jeanne (Willard) Shea of Lethbridge, AB. and Carol (Pat) Holder of Fernie, BC. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Peggy was born on June 22, 1921 in Winchester, England. She volunteered for and joined the A.T.S. where she helped defend her country until after the war. It was during this time that Peggy met Bob, the love of her life. In July of 1945 they were married in Winchester. They did not see each other again for a year.
In 1946, Peggy left her family behind in England to take on an adventure of a lifetime. Her trip was to sail across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary with other war brides and board the train and cross Canada to Pincher Creek, Alberta.
Peggy was very involved in St. John’s Anglican Church in Pincher Creek. She also helped with many country dances that Bob played for. Peggy worked at the Doctor’s Office in Pincher Creek as a receptionist.
The family moved to Lethbridge in 1957. Here she became involved in St. Mary’s Church until it’s closing.
Peggy worked for the Alberta Government until her retirement in 1984.
The organizations that Peggy belonged to meant a great deal to her as did the other members. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Eastern Star, War brides, A.C.W. and Tops.
Peggy will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, March 20, 2009 with Canon James Robinson officiating.
A Private Family Interment will follow in the Field of Honor in the Mountain View Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Tributes may be made in Peggy’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317 – 10 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7.
VICTOR ARELIS
1930 - 2009
VYTAUTAS “VICTOR” ARELIS, beloved husband of Joan Arelis of Lethbridge, AB, passed away at the Coaldale Hospital on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the age of 78 years.
Besides his loving wife of 52 years, he is survived by a son, Rick Arelis of Lethbridge, AB, a daughter Veronica (Mark) Rowe of Lethbridge, AB; five grandchildren, Samantha, Vincent and Victoria Arelis and Madison and Brody Rowe. He is also survived by two sisters; Veronika Kozeniauskas of Australia, Jurate Arelis of Lethbridge, AB and a brother, Algirdas (Loreen) Arelis of Medicine Hat, AB, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father Luidias, Brother Romokus Arelis in Lithuania and mother Ona Rojus and her husband Peter Rojus of Lethbridge.
Victor was born on May 16, 1930 in Lithuania and came to Canada in 1948 to Lethbridge, AB. He worked sugar beets for three years, then became an orderly at the Galt Hospital from 1951 – 1953. Victor then began selling furniture for over 45 years with the majority being spent at St. Louis Furniture and finally working security at the Lethbridge Exhibition and commissionaire for the City of Lethbridge. Victor was very active in sports with a passion for soccer. He enjoyed being a referee for the Lethbridge Royals. He played for the Legion and Army, Navy & Air Force soccer clubs. He also played shuffle board and became a Alberta Champion. He played table tennis and also was an Alberta Champion and as a youth in Germany he was Junior Champion. Victor was a loving husband, father and grandfather who adored his grandchildren.
He was a well read educated man who loved to share his knowledge. Victor loved to tell jokes and spin a good tale. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. with Reverend Mr. Frank Peta officiating.
A Private Family Inurnment to be held at Mountain View Cemetery.
In Memory of Victor and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317-10th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2M7.
MINNIE ANTON
2009
MINNIE ANTON, beloved wife of the late John Anton passed away on Friday, January 30, 2009 at the age of 93. She peacefully went to sleep with her family by her side.
Minnie leaves to cherish, her daughter Jacqueline (Chuck) Parker of Lethbridge, grandchildren; Billie Jo (Larry) Basque, Nicole (Scott) Phinney, Leonard (Samantha) Lloyd, Brenda (Jim) McDowell, Kevin (Shelun) Lloyd, and great grandchildren; Jordyn Basque, Tyler and Sammy Phinney, Jayden and Josh Lloyd, Karra Ann, Jillian, Ashley and Skylar McDowell and Rayann. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Elaine Anton, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Minnie will also be very missed by her special pooch Emily who has been at her side faithfully until the end.
She was predeceased by her husband John in 1981 and son David in 2005.
Minnie spent the last year and half in Lethbridge, but always called Medicine Hat home.
She was a special loving mother and grandmother and will be missed by all.
At Minnie’s request there will be a private Family Service at a later date.
Flowers gratefully declined.
