In Memoriam – 2019
DEBORAH ANNE BITZ
August 25, 1956 – May 26, 2019
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Deborah Anne Bitz. She was born on August 25, 1956 in Medicine Hat and passed away at Sunnyside Care Centre on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the age of 62 years. Debbie was predeceased by her parents Philip and Alice Bitz. She is survived by numerous cousins and friends and will be dearly missed by all. Debbie loved reading, playing cards and travelling. She worked as a telephone operator which she loved and ended her career in the oilfield industry. She will be most remembered for her ready smile, cheerful attitude and kindness to everyone she met.
Margaret Grace Alcock
March 31, 1943 – November 3, 2019
Margaret Grace Alcock (nee Wartman) passed away peacefully on November 3rd, 2019 at the age of 76. She was the beloved wife of Boyd Alcock and the oldest of five in the family of David and Florence Wartman. She was born on March 31st, 1943 at Aylsham, SK., and was blessed with a loving family and countless friends. Through her kind and caring nature, she had the gift of bringing the sparkle of fun, compassion and connection to all. She will be forever cherished and sadly missed.
She was predeceased by her parents, Florence and David; brother, Merle; brother-in-law, Earl Breadner; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Maurice and Dorothy Alcock. She leaves behind her husband, Boyd; three children, Arlayna Alcock, Kerry (Michelle) Alcock, and Sheldon (Renee) Alcock; as well as her grandchildren, Megan, Siddaly, Morgan and Quinn Alcock who lit up her life. She also will not be forgotten by her sisters, Ruth (George) Kozun, Judy (Claude) Pruden; brother, Jack (Valerie) Wartman; sister-in-law, Delma Breadner; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Grace attended school in Alysham, SK until grade 12 when she graduated from Nipawin Composite High School in 1961. She then attended Saskatoon Teacher’s College for one year and then went on to the University of Saskatchewan. She enjoyed working as an elementary music and art teacher. Grace married her high school sweetheart, Boyd Alcock on July 3, 1965. After teaching in Tisdale and Harris, SK they left for Medicine Hat where she has spent the greater part of her life. Over her lifetime, she was deeply involved in the community through her involvement in many organizations and activities throughout the years. She was part of several choirs. She also volunteered as a Westminster United Church Trustee, member, and Chair of the church board. She was involved with the retired Teacher’s Association, Rotary Music Festival, Hatterland Children’s Theatre, and the Business and Professional Women’s Association alumni. Her free time was spent doing aquasize, line dancing, walking, golfing, traveling, and spending time with her beautiful grandchildren. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and she will be dearly missed by everyone she loved cared for and touched.
MARGARET “MAGGIE” HARRISON
September 06, 1957 – October 04, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Margaret “Maggie” Elaine Harrison (Sparrow) wish to announce her passing on October 4, 2019, surrounded by love and with her family. Maggie is predeceased by her mother (Joan), her father (Harold), and her soulmate Sidney. She is survived by her children Morgan (Jen), Mel (Jana), Sarah (Michael), Connor and Evan; her grandchildren Aubrey, Blake, Owen, Nora, Ethan and Evelyn; her sister Tricia (Brad) Leidal; her sister-in-law Penny Holst and brothers-in-law Gary and Wayne (Brenda).
Maggie was born and raised in Medicine Hat as the eldest daughter to Joan and Harold. She spent her childhood loving and tormenting her younger sister Tricia, but found her path when she met Sid in 1974. They married in 1979 and their grand adventure began shortly thereafter when they started their family and welcomed Morgan into their lives. Maggie was the consummate mother and happily grew her family to include Sarah, Connor, Evan and Mel. While Sid was in medical school, Maggie worked long hours to support the family, but also sewed clothes, bargain hunted and did everything she could to keep those difficult years as positive as possible. Maggie’s ultimate joy was in becoming a grandmother. Whether through making gingerbread houses together or a trip to Police Point Park for Easter eggs and bunnies, Maggie loved carving out special time with her six grandchildren. She loved their time together almost as much as she loved spoiling them.
Our family cannot begin to find words to thank the many members of Maggie’s care team. Dr. Adeel Azam, Dr. Tom Mohanraj, Dr. Gerry Prince and Dr. Josh Foley showed Maggie such exceptional compassion and care, it was an amazing comfort to our family to see her in such good hands. A special thanks as well to the many wonderful nurses on unit 5 East at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Finally, thank you to Maggie’s many friends who reached out to help Maggie during her illness with kind words, good company or sometimes just taking out the garbage. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Ronald McDonald House or the charity of your choice.
RONALD EDWARD HOLE
June 03, 1936 – October 01, 2019
Ronald Edward Hole passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at the age of 83 years, beloved husband of Yvonne Hole of 59 years.He also leaves to cherish his memory his children, Ron Jr. (Maureen) Hole, Nancy (Darcy) Vickers, Denise (Wayne) Thompson, Nadine (Bronc) Donis and Jarvis (Daina) Hole; sixteen grandchildren, Daniel, Mitchell, Angele (Jeremy), Aaron (Alka), Nicole (Aden), Brittney, Kristen, Nevada, Braden (Laurissa), Derek, Alexis, Alana (Talan) AJ, Elias, Hanna and Madox; one great granddaughter, Elizabeth; his brother, Ken (Mary) Hole; his sister, Lucille Bailey and his fur baby “Poppy”. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Lucia Hole; his brother, Billy (Jane) Hole and one brother-in-law Ken Bailey. No funeral service will be held.
VIOLET ‘VI’ MAE HENDERSON
August 05, 1930 – June 19, 2019
Violet “Vi” Mae Henderson of Medicine Hat, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at the age of 88 years, beloved wife of the late Edmund “Ed” Henderson.
She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Janice Henderson-Lypkie (Ken Lypkie), Robert Henderson, Stephanie (Jim) Simpson, Garnet Henderson (Deb Bishop), Judy Henderson (Al Johnson) and one daughter-in-law Carol Henderson; her grandchildren, Tyler (Calli) and their children Cora and Peter; Jessica, Fraser (Camille), Justin (Nancy) and their children Parker and Finley; Sabrina (Chris) and their children Ashton and Blakely; Amber, Connor, Kaitlyn, Izzie and Kaela; one sister, Grace Heller as well as her brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Patrick Schuster; her husband Ed in 2012, two brothers, Bill Schuster and Pat Schuster.
In life, Violet’s guiding principle was love to mankind. She raised five children to get along and she taught all her students and grandchildren the importance of kindness. She cultivated family and rich friendships and her home was an inviting place for all who came. Violet was dearly loved by her husband, Ed, and her children.
Violet Rud
1935 – June 12, 2019
Violet Rud of Medicine Hat passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at the age of 84 years, beloved wife of the late Norman Rud.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Malinda (Bill) Drury of Maple Creek; one son-in-law, Les Schulz of Maple Creek; three grandchildren, Jennie (Donald) Knight, Amanda (Mark) Stappler, and Tyson Schulz; six great grandchildren, William Knight, Mathew Knight, Ray-Anna Knight, Ty Knight, Clara Stappler and Michael Stappler; one brother, Larry (Charlene) Sturm of Belize as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Olga and John Sturm; her husband, Norman in 2009; one daughter, Cindy Schulz in 2003 and one granddaughter, Rayna Drury.
Frank Fekete
July 14, 1929 – April 13, 2019
Francis “Frank” Fekete, beloved husband of Irene Fekete of Medicine Hat, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the age of 89 years. He also leaves to cherish his memory their children, Terry (Andy) Lagran, Rick Fekete (Kim Collins), Kathy (Derek) Martin and Rob Fekete; one daughter-in-law Karen Fekete; his grandchildren Christina (her son Jayden), Lauren, Nicole (Devon), Kelly, Lindsay and Elena; one brother Bob (Gaynor) Fekete. He was predeceased by his parents William and Elizabeth Fekete and by one son Greg in 2018.
Violina Schneider
April 26, 1928 – March 19, 2019
Violina Schneider, beloved wife of the late Hector Schneider of Medicine Hat, passed away on Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 at the age of 90 years. Violina leaves to cherish her memory her son, Doug Schneider (Nasim Karimi); daughter, Gerri Schneider; son-in-law, Brian Langevin; grandchildren, Josh Schneider (Brooke Knies), Jesse Schneider (Vicki Schira) and D-Jay Schneider; sister-in-law, Irene Eaton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Violina was predeceased by her son, Robert Dale Schneider, in infancy; daughter, Marilyn Langevin; her parents, Sidney and Augusta Eagle; and brothers, Jack (Maureen) Eagle and Tom (Mary) Eagle. Violina was born on April 26th, 1928 in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and was raised in the Maple Creek district. She married Hector Schneider on June 30th, 1949 in Medicine Hat. Hector and Violina bought land in Maple Creek and created a successful purebred Hereford cattle herd for the next 25 years. In October of 1976 they sold the ranch and moved to Wetaskawin where Hector became a Hereford cattle promoter. In 1983 they moved to Medicine Hat and worked the purebred Hereford cattle circuit promoting the Hereford breed. Violina enjoyed playing bridge weekly with her friends in their private bridge club. She also followed Hector to as many events as possible. Violina took great pride in knitting and crocheting many items of clothing.
Sidney Wade Harrison
April 11, 1953 – February 13, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Sidney Wade Harrison wish to announce his passing on February 13, 2019 in Kauai, in the sunshine, listening to the Beatles. Sid is predeceased by his Mother (Bertha), his father (Hugh), brother-in-law Kurt Holst, and sister-in-law Jean Harrison. He is survived by his best friend and wife Maggie, children Morgan (Jen), Mel (Jana), Sarah (Michael), Connor, Evan; his grandchildren Aubrey, Blake, Owen, Nora, Ethan, Evelyn; his siblings Penny Holst, Gary, Wayne (Brenda), and sister-in-law Tricia Leidal (Brad). Sid was born and raised in Medicine Hat, the youngest child of Bertha and Hugh. He and Maggie built a life together after they met in 1974. They married in 1979 and grew their family when they had Morgan and Sarah. In 1984, at age 31 with two children, Sid decided to return to school to become a physician. He attended the Medicine Hat College, then medical school at the University of Alberta and Family Medicine Residency in Edmonton. Sid and family moved back to Medicine Hat in 1992 to start his independent family practice. Sid and Maggie welcomed Connor, and then Evan in the years to follow. Sid built a huge and fulfilling family practice, that defined his life over the next 26 years. He delivered hundreds of babies, and was a true family doctor. In 1999, Mel moved in to complete the Harrison brood. With birds, hamsters, cats, and dogs it was a busy and wonderful home. Sid loved travel, wine, golf, food, fast cars and most of all family. Thanks cannot express the gratitude Sid and his family felt towards the many compassionate nurses, pharmacists and physicians who helped care for him. In particular, Dr. Tom Mohanraj, Dr. Josh Foley and Dr. Soundouss Raissouni, moved gracefully from colleagues to caregiver; Sid appreciated their support in these difficult months.
Margaret (Peggy) Smith
1923 – January 12, 2019
With sadness and sorrow, the family of Margaret (Peggy) Blanche Smith, beloved wife for 65 years of the late George (Al) Albert Smith, announces her passing on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the age of 95 years. Peggy was born and raised in Indian Head, Saskatchewan and has been a resident of Medicine Hat, Alberta since 2002. She was the eldest daughter of four children born to the late Blanche and Thomas Rolfe. She took her secretarial training at Balfour Technical College in Regina and worked at the Saskatchewan Parliament in the Education Ministry as a typist and stenographer. Peggy and her friends loved to dance at the Trianon Ball Room and that is where Peggy met her future husband, Al. He was a flying instructor in Regina and they were married in the fall of 1944. After the war, Peggy and Al purchased the Air Service in Swift Current, Sask. and renamed it Smith Airways. Over the course of the following 30 years, Smith Airways was respected as a superior Air Service in Southwest Saskatchewan. It was a place where local pilots and travelers gathered, and Peggy, a pilot herself, always had the coffee pot on. Flying was Al’s passion, but it was Peggy who was the face of the business. Highlights, over their course of the years operating the business, included both the Saskatchewan and the International Flying Farmers Airport Operator of the year awards. After retirement, Peggy and Al spent many years as snowbirds in sunny Arizona and traveled extensively, in their motor-home, throughout North America. Many of their trips included visiting family and treasured time spent with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peggy loved to sing and was an active member of the United Church Choir in Indian Head. She enjoyed socializing with friends and family, dancing, ceramics, crocheting, traveling, bible study and of course playing cards. Peggy will be missed by her family and friends and will always be remembered for her quick wit and her commitment to her family. Peggy is survived by her three daughters: Cheryl Pickett and her daughter, Amanda (Mike) Macdonald and their son, Cappur; and her son, Geoffrey; Penny Kerr and her daughters, Heather (Andreas) Rauscher and their sons, Carsten and Aiden, and Maureen (Brad) Hauck and their daughter, Willow; Doreen (Ron) Sitter and their family, Paul, Valerie (Cory) Pohl and their son, Revan, Victoria (Chris) DeVita and their children, Kassandra and Alexander, and James (Zemeta) Sitter and their daughters, Saba, Samra and Sofia. Peggy also leaves behind other family and friends including her sister, Joan Thompson, her sister-in-law, Joan Rolfe, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends. Peggy was predeceased by her parents, Tom and Blanche Rolfe, her parents-in-law, William and Martha Smith; her sons-in-law, Fred Tarry and Dan Kerr; two grandchildren, Barbara Tarry and Michelle Kerr; her siblings, George Rolfe and Jack Rolfe, and her brothers-in-law, Don Thompson, Alan Smith and her sisters-in-law, Eileen Chouinard, Leona Sites.