In Memoriam – 2018
Bertha Helen Harrison
September 09, 1927 – December 17, 2018
Mrs. Bertha Helen Harrison of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Hugh Harrison, passed away on Monday, December 17th, 2018 at the age of 91 years. Bertha leaves to cherish her memory her children, Penny Holst, Wayne (Brenda) Harrison, Gary Harrison and Dr. Sidney (Maggie) Harrison; nine grandchildren, Laura, Shawntele, Jason, Brad, Morgan, Sarah, Connor, Evan and Mel; fourteen great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bertha was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Harrison; her parents, Leonard and Olga Harrison; son-in-law, Kurt Holst; daughter-in-law, Jean Harrison; four brothers; and three sisters. Bertha Harrison (nee Miller) was born in Fox Valley on September 9th, 1927. She attended school in Flaxcombe and Estuary, Saskatchewan and worked on a ranch in the Buffalo district before coming to Medicine Hat. Bertha worked at Medalta Potteries and the Medicine Hat Hospital. She married Hugh Harrison on February 22nd, 1946 in Medicine Hat where they had their four children. In 1979 Bertha retired from the Auxiliary Hospital due to ill health. Bertha spent 12 years in Guiding as Captain of 4th Medicine Hat Company (Westminster) at the same time was a Commissioner and Camp Advisor. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary Association, while not active spent time knitting slippers they sold in the gift shop. She also worked as a volunteer at the Post and the Wellington and was a member of Westminster United Church U.C.W. The Funeral Service will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, on Monday, January 7th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Gary W. Goran officiating. A private interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Bertha’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice
Juanita “Nita” Porter
April 13, 1927 – December 2, 2018
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Juanita Patricia Porter, beloved wife of John Robert “Bob” Porter of 62 years. Nita passed away peacefully surrounded by her daughters on Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 at the age of 91. Her memory will be cherished by her daughters Susan (Jim) Roads, Kelly (Brian) Schorr, Andrea (Dwayne) Neitz, Tracy (Don) Keays, Rebecca (Garth) Porter, her daughter-in-law Stacia Thomson and her son-in-law Dick Sloan, her brother Rod Canham and sisters Pat (Fergy) Schmidt and Betty (Garry) Kramer. Nita felt honored to have 7 children, 29 grandchildren, 53 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Cynthia Sloan, her son Jay Porter and son-in-law Mark Audette. Nita was born and raised in Medicine Hat, AB. Over the years she and Bob lived in Gull Lake, Sask., Shaunavon, Sask. and made their home in Maple Creek for almost 40 years before retiring in Medicine Hat. Nita was extremely community oriented and was very involved with the United Church, Eastern Star and the Legion. Between family, friends, hobbies and community organizations, she was one busy lady.
Maurice John (Jack) Knowles
Aug 1, 1941 – Aug 3, 2018
Our man Jack, the light of our lives and a bright light in Medicine Hat, hung up his tool belt on Friday, August 3, 2018. Jack passed away peacefully at home in the company of his family, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Cherishing his memory are his adoring family: Dawn, his wife of 53 years; his two children, Katharine Knowles (Chris Mazurenko) of Vancouver and Tanis Knowles Yarnell (Patrick Yarnell) of Winnipeg; his two grandchildren, Olivia and Eric Yarnell; sister, Maureen (John) Dowler, brother, Len Knowles, brother-in-law Bill (Monique) Pringle, uncle Len (Laurie) Sharland of Medicine Hat and many cousins, nieces and nephews, all who miss him dearly. Jack was born in Medicine Hat on August 1, 1941 and was very proud of this city. In his personal life, Jack was known as many different things to many people. He was a Queen Scout, pigeon fancier, keeper of 101 dalmatians, king of the disco, photography hobbyist, Medicine Hat history buff, proud Kiwanian and Kinsman, part-time Shriner, possibly a Mason (he kept it a secret), challenger of City Hall, David Suzuki super-fan, professional and personal mentor, promoter of the local Prostate Cancer Support Group, and lover of bagpipes and all things plaid. He had a creative mind and great sense of humour. His practical jokes were legendary. He was a collector of many things, and had over 83 screwdrivers, 55 rolls of electrical tape, 41 staple guns, 27 vintage lightbulbs, and countless friends and neighbours, new and old, all who will miss seeing him around. He followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a Master Electrician, and took over the family business ‘Knowles Electric’ which he was proud to say was in business for over 80 years. Everyone knew where to find Jack—his shop door was always open. He was never too busy for a friend. His belief in people never wavered, often giving people who needed it advice, support, or a job. He believed in second chances. He had a collection of funny photos and signs posted at his shop and one of them said, ‘Never Give Up’ and he never did. He never gave up on people, projects, the hope that he would beat cancer, and that he would have more time. Jack spent his last few weeks in his backyard supervising work being done on many projects he always meant to do, even making a tree swing for his grandchildren. Family and close friends celebrated his 77th birthday with him on August 1st at a beautiful backyard party. He died two days later with paint on his hands and a golden tan from hours spent sitting outside, doing jobs, and listening to the birds in his beloved crabapple trees. Memorial gifts may be made to the Medicine Hat Prostate Cancer Support Group or the David Suzuki Foundation.
Doris Kornelson
September 13, 1935 – July 21, 2018
It is with sadness that family announce the passing of their mother, Doris V. Kornelson, beloved wife of the late, Ed Kornelson, at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the age of 82 years. Doris leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Janet (Pat) Janzer and their daughter, Amy (Tyler) Deck (children: Huxley, Rowen and Jayla) and son, Matthew (Tacey) Janzer (children: Azalia, Haven, Kian and Coen); Wendy (Tom) Beach and their children, Jade Beach and Brett Beach; Patti (†) (Todd) Penner and their children, Ashton Penner and Haleigh Penner (Marcus) as well as her brothers, Bob (Lorraine) Monkman and Jack (Audrey) Monkman. Doris was predeceased by her husband, Ed Kornelson; her son, Ronald Kornelson and daughter, Patti Penner. Doris was born and raised in the Buffalo area and attended high school in Medicine Hat. She married Ed Kornelson on November 3, 1956, in Calgary. Doris worked hard for her family. She worked in office management, canned and worked on the farm for years either leading the charge or alongside Ed. Doris loved and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and any chance to hold a baby was never missed. She loved golfing, curling, traveling and was a huge Blue Jays fan. She worked alongside Ed with the Shriners and was an active member with the UCW of Westminster United Church. Doris was the glue of the family gatherings. She loved her family and friends and showed it with wonderful home cooked meals. She always nurtured their Norwegian heritage and taught her family how to make all of the ethnic dishes, even the ones they didn’t like. She will be deeply missed.
William (Bill) Laverne Scott
Nov 1, 1924 – Jun 1, 2018
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Laverne Scott who was born November 1, 1924, and passed away on June 1, 2018. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, in the house that he built. Bill was born in Medicine Hat, the youngest son of Simon Fredrick and Christena Scott.
He was always the eternal optimist an endearing trait that we all truly cherish. Like his father, Bill loved Medicine Hat and its people. He would often say, “I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Medicine Hat. Pop was the blacksmith, the farmers were always trading food for work, there was always something to eat”. While in high school, Bill had a full time job with the CPR and worked the 4:00 p.m. to midnight shift. He would use that as an excuse as to why he didn’t have his homework done. The teachers would say, “that’s okay Billy, we know you’re just trying to help out with the war effort”. In 1943, Bill was able to join the army. Through the army’s officer training program and their Canadian Alberta University Course (CAUC) he was able to study at the universities in Alberta and BC and received his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1948. He had always expressed his gratitude for all of the opportunities that the army offered him. Bill went on to become the first hired Professional Engineer for the City of Medicine Hat and was in charge of the utilities department. He felt his greatest achievement in that role was saving the city’s power plant from being sold to Calgary Power. He knew the true value of autonomous power.
In 1950, he married the love of his life, Lorraine Palnau. BilI went to a dance at the Odd Fellows Hall on 3rd Street and there he saw the most beautiful girl in the world, wearing a yellow dress accented with a black choker. Lorraine was the centre of Bill’s life and their love was that of legend! Through their example, they taught us all how to thrive in a marriage commitment. Their children were truly blessed to have them as parents. Bill loved music – he sang in the Westminster Church choir with his dad and between 1962 and 1969 and was baritone with the barbershop quartet, “The Drop Tones”. In that same period, he was the first director of the Gas City Chorus, a Barbershop group of 20 some local men. Bill also loved baseball. His leather ball jacket that proclaims Cecil Hotel Buffaloes City League Champs 1949-1950, still hangs in the closet. By the time Bill retired from the city in 1979, he was in charge of the power plant, water treatment plant, line shop, gas department, fire hall, transit system and the city dump. They hired three engineers to replace him. After he retired, he worked for the town of Redcliff. He negotiated the agreement of the purchase of gas wells from Dominion Glass thereby establishing the Redcliff Utilities Dept. After that he was employed by the Medicine Hat College where he established and taught courses in home energy conservation.
When Bill turned 70 years old, he and Lorraine became the youth leaders at Westminster Church. They were always the youngest old people in the world. They loved to travel and they loved to hike and backpack. They backpacked the Chilicoot Pass at Skagway, O’Hara Lake, Banff and Jasper; traveled in Europe, Mexico, Cuba, Fiji, Costa Rica, and Hawaii and ventured on several cruises. Ever present in Bill’s life was his love of his Savior Jesus Christ and his love for Lorraine, his partner and friend.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Lorraine Mae (nee Palnau); four children, Stephen, Nancy (Gary) Gould, Laura Scott (Randy Hauer), Jeffrey (Ann-Marie) Scott; daughter-in-law, Brenda Scott; grandchildren, Simon and Samuel Scott, Barbara (Tyler) Lemmens, Katherine (Dan) Mandryk, William, David and Susan Scott; sister-in-law, Lois Whitehead; brother-in-law, Eck Madsen. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Simon Fredrick and Christena Bernice (nee Burt) Scott; sister, Marjorie (Fred) Allen; brother, Donald (Dorothy) Scott; brother-in-law, George Whitehead and sister-in-law; Dolores Madsen.
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.
Delmond (Dub) Rudyard Henderson
1927 – April 12, 2018
Delmond (Dub) Rudyard Henderson passed away peacefully in the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on April 12, 2018 at the age of 90 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Gwen, children Greg, Patti Mitchell (Doug), grandchildren Rory Henderson (Tammie), Jill Henderson (Tyler), Jeremy Mitchell (Krista), Heather Mitchell (Ben), Jansen Mitchell, Chelsea Mitchell (James), great grand children Ariana, Zachary, Michael, Levi and Silas; brothers, Albert (Donna), Bob (Patty) and Gerry (Theresa), sister-in-law Vi Henderson, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Rudyard and Florence, sisters Margaret and her husband Lyle Smith, Vernette and her husband Les Allison, brothers Ron, Ed, Larry and his wife Vera, sister-in-law Lynne Henderson, daughter-in-law Jeri Lynn Henderson.
Dub was born in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan and grew up in Simmie and Port Reeve. After graduating high school, he attended Normal School for two months before beginning his teaching career in 1944, at the age of 17. His 43 year career in education took him to Fox Valley, Fort San, Gull Lake, Eatonia, Outlook, and Melfort. He furthered his education earning B.A., B.Ed. and M.Ed. degrees as he moved from teacher to principal to superintendent to regional director of education. Athletics played an important part in Dub’s life at school and in the community. He coached many teams and excelled at playing hockey and baseball. In recognition of his baseball achievements on the field and as a builder, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. Serving his community was integral to Dub. He was an active member in the United Church, often a board member and taught Sunday School for twenty years. A Lifetime Member of the Lions Club, he contributed to many club projects. He served nine years on the Melfort city council before serving six years as mayor. He was awarded a Lifetime Membership for serving on the Saskatchewan Urban Municipal Association board for fifteen years. Numerous other organizations benefited from his leadership skills. Dub was a man of integrity, he was kind and respectful, with a keen sense of responsibility for the common good. In turn, Dub was loved and respected by his family, friends, colleagues and students
Mary “Molly” Keith
February 15, 1921 – April 11, 2018
Mary “Molly” Dick Keith, beloved wife of the late Willard ‘Bill’ Keith, passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at the age of 97 years. Leaving to cherish her memory are her children, daughter, Bonnie (Adolf) Leis; sons, Douglas (Mavis), Robert (Jeannie), Blair (Dee Ann); 10 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Margaret Blair; brother, Robert and sisters, Margaret and Jean; daughter, Heather; and grandson, James Olson.
Molly was born on February 15, 1921, in Winnipeg, MB., and spent most of her life in Medicine Hat. She was keenly interested in the world of sports and was actively involved in curling, golf and bowling. A highlight in sports was when Molly was a member of the Provincial Senior Ladies Championship curling team which represented Alberta for the Canadian Championship in Halifax in March, 1974. When her husband retired in 1979, she spent many winters with him in Victoria, B.C., where she made many friends at the curling rink and during various social occasions and playing bridge. As part of her activity in the community, Molly was a member of the Westminster United Church choir as well as the Veiner Centre choir. She will be greatly missed by all members of her family with whom she enjoyed many anniversary celebrations.
Eleanor Townsend
1922 – February 11, 2018
Mrs. Eleanor Townsend, beloved wife of the late Mr. Larry Townsend, passed away peacefully at the Riverview Care Centre in Medicine Hat on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the age of 95 years. She was instrumental in establishing Hatterland Children’s Theatre and was an Honourary Life Member. On November 21, 1981, Eleanor was also presented with an Honourary Life Membership with Medicine Hat Musical Theatre. In 1986, she was recognized by Medicine Hat School District No. 76 as one of their honoured teachers, “A Century Of Quality Education”. Eleanor loved Christmas, singing, dancing, acting, reading, cats and was a faithful, long time member of the Westminster Choir. Left to cherish Eleanor’s memory is her grandson, Don Cowan as well as numerous extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Larry Townsend and her daughter, Lyn (Newton) Cowan.
James Hayward
December 23, 1945 – February 7, 2018
Mr. James Garth Hayward passed away at River Ridge Senior’s Village, Medicine Hat on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at the age of 72 years. He will be remembered with love by Mary Anne Hayward (nee Townsend), his wife of 52 years; their daughters, Jan Wohlers, Cathy Shapley (Loren Lang) and Leana (Faron) Forsyth; grandson’s, Kelson, Brendan, Wade (Sonja), Troy (Jaylinn), Chad (Tianna), Landis, Tyler and Shea (Chris); great-grandchildren, Ayla, Quinton and Sadie; brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Jim is also survived with fond memories and love by many cousins and long time friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Cliff and Marg Hayward; half brother, Laurie; half sister, Gloria (Bub’s), plus many special aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim was born on December 23, 1945, in Medicine Hat to Cliff and Marg Hayward. He grew up in a multigenerational home surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. Jim joined the SALH reserves when he was 15 years old. At the age of 16 and with his parents permission he signed up for the Canadian Armed Forces apprentice training program. Jim and Mary Anne grew up together in the same neighbourhood and on August 27, 1966, were married. Over the next 3 years they had their three girls. Jim served in many different positions while in the military, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer. The final posting was back to Medicine Hat with the SALH. Jim retired from the regular forces in 1988 with 25 years of service and continued with the reserves until 1991. Following his retirement from the regular forces, Jim worked as the secretary at Westminster United Church, where he was able to use the skills he had obtained as an administrative clerk plus his knowledge from his Certificate of Theology that he earned doing courses through St. Stephen’s Theological College in Edmonton. Jim’s health deteriorated in the early 2000’s and in November 2005, he moved to River Ridge Senior’s Village where he remained until his passing. The family will forever be thankful for the wonderful care that Jim received.
Lawrence Pfeifer
June 22, 1928 – January 27, 2018
Lawrence Gustave Pfeifer passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at the age of 89 years, beloved husband of Jean Pfeifer of Medicine Hat. He also leaves to cherish his memory three children, Murray (Sheila) Pfeifer, Wanda Schacher, Harold (Lorie) Pfeifer; six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren: Carrie and Jeff (Oscar, Jack and Milo), Brent and Kolbi (Wesley, Shea and Abigail), Kelly and Steph (Tatum and Paxton), Tamara and Justin (Payton), Alison, Justine and Jeff; one sister Jean Pfeifer of Calgary and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Gustave and Mary Pfeifer, his father and mother-in-law, Jacob and Katherine Schlenker; one son-in-law Cleon Schacher; brother and sister-in-law Elmer and Gladys Schlenker. Thank you to the Riverview Care Centre for the excellent care of Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society, Alberta and Northwest Territories #201, 770 6th Street SW Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4J6. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Lawrence Pfeifer.