January 2004
SORENSON - Leslie H. Sorenson of Olds, Alberta passed away
peacefully at the
age of 64, the evening of Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at the Foothills
hospital, Calgary.
Les was born in Olds on Nov 2, 1939. Throughout his life, "Squeak",
as Les
was known by his closest friends, remained an active, energetic contributor
to the Olds area communities and associations. Les will be remembered
fondly
by Ruth Conway and his many friends and acquaintances.
Les is survived by daughter Laureen, son Leslie and their mother Trudy;
brother Wayne and Wayne's wife Karen and his sister's daughters, Michelle
and Tracy Beimler. Les was pre-deceased by his parents, Harold and Hazel
and
sister Beverley Beimler.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16,
2004 at
the Olds Royal Canadian Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made to
the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Olds Hospital Palliative Care
Unit.
Arrangements are entrusted to Mountain View Funeral Chapel, Olds. Phone:
556-3223.
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WONG - Irene Suey Leen Wong was born in
Victoria B.C. on August 21, 1904.
She was the eldest daughter of a family of eight. As a young woman Irene
chose teaching as a career and taught Chinese calligraphy and Cantonese
at
the Victoria Chinese Public School. She was revered by her many students.
Irene married Frank Wong in 1927 and moved to Olds, Alberta to begin
a new
life adventure. Together they raised a family of 5 children in this
small
prairie community and built a successful business aptly named the Public
Lunch Cafe. Irene found time for hobbies including sewing, knitting,
gardening and traveling. Many lifelong friends enjoyed her culinary
skills.
Frank and Irene were married for 68 years and were the guiding light
for
their children and grandchildren, demonstrating mutual respect, family
harmony and community participation. Irene’s beloved husband Frank
predeceased her in 1995 and she was re-united with him on January 6
at the
age of 99.
Irene will be forever cherished by Stewart and Mabel Wong, Stan and
Lou
Wong, Maie and Gordon Chow, Frances and George Cheung, Jim and Carol
Wong;
her 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; sisters Rose Lau, Ida
Leung,
sister-in-law Rose Won; brother-in-law Ed and Karlene Wong; extended
family
Sebby and Don Dick, Gabriel Yee and her many relatives and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Mountain View Funeral Chapel
in Olds
at 1:00 PM on Friday, Jan. 9 to be followed by a reception at the Olds
Canadian Legion. The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the
Olds
Hospital staff and to Irene's caregivers for their dedication and support.
In lieu of flowers, tributes can be made to the Olds General Hospital,
3901-57 Ave, Olds, AB, T4H-1T4. Arrange-ments are entrusted to Mountain
View
Funeral Chapel, 5226 - 46 Street, Olds. Phone: 403-556-3223.
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COONFER - Jean Isabel Thompson was born
in Kinmundy, near High River, May
15, 1918, the youngest child of Albert and Agnes Thompson, The family
moved
to Kathryn where she obtained most of her early schooling. During this
time
Jean was a member of the Dalemead Dodgers softball team which became
the
Southern Alberta Champions. At the age of sixteen, she met and married
Lester Leroy Coonfer of Dalemead, Alberta. Les and Jean moved to Olds
in
1934 where they began their lengthy farming career in the Samis district
immediately northwest of town. They moved, back to the Coonfer family
farm
at Dalemead in 1944 where they lived for six years, farming both properties,
Dalemead and Olds, returning to live in Olds in 1950. A two car garage
was
constructed as a temporary home for the family of eight while they began
building a larger home. In 1952, the family moved into the new house
which
was constructed closer to town on the present site of the Olds General
Hospital. That year the family grew to nine. Les passed away in 1972
and
Jean continued to live at this residence until 1979 at which time she
moved
to town. Jean was a very active member in UCW, Royal Purple, Hospital
Auxiliary, Evergreens and Handicraft Guild. She served as a very capable
Honored Royal Lady for the Royal Purple in 1964. She was a life member
of
the U.C.W. and the O.O.R.P. The Handicraft Guild occupied much of Jean's
time. In 1976, she was employed as a cook at the Olds Hospital, her
first
paying job. After retirement she enjoyed traveling, her many crafts
and the
visits of her children and grandchildren. Jean was a wife, mother,
grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and will be lovingly remembered
by 3
daughters Joyce Viney, Louise (Don) Larsback, Verna (Neils) Jensen;
4 sons
Glen (Donna), Lorne (Margaret), Bert (Kris), Cliff (Kathy); 18
grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law as well as many
friends. Jean was predeceased by her husband Les, son-in-law Keith Viney,
infant granddaughter and infant great-grandson. Jean was laid to rest
beside
her beloved husband Les in the Coonfer family plot at the Mountain View
Memorial Gardens, Calgary. Memorial Services were held on Saturday,
January
10, 2003 in the Olds United Church with Reverend Shelagh Parsons
officiating. Memorial donations may be made directly to the Olds Hospital
Long Term Care. As a tribute to Jean Coonfer, a tree will be planted
in the
Heartland Tree Memorial Park (Olds). Olds Funeral Home & Crematorium
(Heartland Funeral Services Ltd.) entrusted with arrangements. 507-8610.
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BERNARD - William Vern, born April 30,
1928 in Alberta.
Bill passed away peacefully on January 13, 2004 with family by his side,
after living with health challenges the past two years. He will be greatly
missed and remembered by his family: wife Anna of 53 years; sons Daniel
and
David, daughters Bonnie and Brenda, sons-in-law Toni and Ray; sister
Gertrude and her family.
He was blessed with five grandchildren, Trevor, Erin, Dana, Ryan and
Megan.
He is predeceased by his sister Marie Coates.
Bill will also be remembered by all who knew him. The family is tremendously
grateful to the paramedics, doctors, nurses, and all other Surrey Memorial
Hospital Support Staff.
A Memorial Service wil be held on Friday, January 23, at 2:00 p.m. at
Fraser
Heights Funeral Home, 14835 Fraser Highway, Surrey. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the B.C. Lung Association.
Thanks for the memories.
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