October 2004
Obituary
ROENSPIES - Leverne (Bud) Roenspies was born September 25, 1920 in the
Humboldt Hospital. He was the oldest of eleven children born to August and
Beulah (Williams) Roenspies.
He attended Hat Creek School until the end of grade 8 and then went to work
for local farmers. At age 18 he left the farm to work in the bush in
Ontario.
At age 21, in 1941 he enlisted in the Air Force. He trained in Moose Jaw and
then in Dartmouth with Bluenose Squadron 434. In 1942 he went overseas and
was stationed in England and in Scotland.
Upon returning from overseas, Bud purchased Section 29 through the Veteran
Land Act. In 1948 he married Aurea Desjardins of St. Denis, Saskatchewan.
Together they raised seven children. Bud and Aurea took great pride in the
farm and in constantly improving it ñ from breaking the virgin land to
building a new home and two large hog barns, planting trees, lawn and
flowers. In 1969 the family was named "Master Farm Family" of Saskatchewan.
Bud was a community-minded person. He led the St. James 4-H Beef Club and
then the Annaheim Beef Club for many years. He loved baseball. It was an
important part of his life. He played, coached and umped the game for many
years. He also coached hockey and softball. He was on Town Council, and was
an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Knights of Columbus, the
church, the Cattleman’s Association and the Saskatchewan Stock Grower’s
Association. He was a pioneer in modern hog-production techniques working
closely with the Animal Science College at the University of Saskatchewan.
After 32 years on the farm, Bud and Aurea retired to Naicam, Saskatchewan.
They wintered in Mesa, Arizona. Bud enjoyed fishing, watching baseball,
playing cards, swimming, "shuffling" (shuffleboard) and shopping at the
local "Flea Markets". In 2000, they left Naicam and moved to a retirement
home in Olds, Alberta where they were near three of their daughters.
Bud enjoyed his chats with the local farmers, attending the agricultural
fairs and "checking" the crops. He was an avid reader. He loved to talk and
share stories. He recently completed writing his memoires. His greatest joy
was his family.
Bud died peacefully on October 2, 2004. He leaves to mourn his wife Aurea,
and his seven children; Ruth (Theo Michelbrink), Sandra (Jack Hollenberg);
children Wes Messmer (Katie) and daughter, Danae, Russell Messmer (Carmen),
Joanne Hollenberg, Trevor (Gail) Hollenberg, Sid (Thelma Starks); children
Scott (Sandy) and Leyna (Chris), Janet (Don Layh); children Adam (Kalee) and
Avery (Fred), Bill (Louise Mosiondz);child Lindsay, Kurt (MaryLee Tameling);
children Melissa (Leon), Garrett and Blaine and Cindy with her children
Britney and Kelee, and special family member, Gordon (Pat) Timmerman. He
also leaves to mourn his sisters Joan (John) Stuckel, Mary (Jack) Opfergelt,
Elaine (John) Verhelst, and brothers, Ken (Bernice), Jim (Georgina), Ross
(Audrey) and Joe (Terry).
Bud was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Harold and Walter, his
sister Alice and his grandson Dean Messmer.
His was a full, rich life. He loved and was well-loved. He will be sorely
missed by all whose lived he touched.
Memorial donations in Bud's honor may be made to the Saskatchewan Abilities
Council, 2310 Louise Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7J 2C7.
Prayers will take place at Mountain View Funeral Chapel on Wednesday,
October 6, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Stephens's
Catholic Church on Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Les
Drewicki officiating. Cremation will take place following the service, with
interment at St. James Cemetery, Saskatchewan at a later date. Funeral
arrangements entrusted to MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5226 - 46 Street,
Olds, AB, T4H 1B8. Phone: 403-556-3223
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EVANS - Leslie David Evans (Bud).
Les Evans was born Dec. 15, 1918 in Elk, Washington, and passed away
suddenly in Sorrento, B.C. on Oct 01/04.
Les is survived by his loving wife of 55 yrs. Vi. Brother Glen Evans
(Marg), of Calgary, sister Bessie Hosegood of Carstairs. Sisters in Law
Laura Towel (Wes), Mildred Schenk (Ron), brothers in Law Len Russell
(Irene), Danny Russell (Delores), and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service was Held Friday Oct. 08, at Fischers Funeral Home in Salmon
Arm B.C.
In Lieu of Flowers donations to CNIB.
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HARPER - Donald Charles Harper (September 1, 1915 - October 8, 2004).
Donald Charles Harper was born in Olds, Alberta on September 1, 1915, the
fifth of six children born to the union of Eliza Jane and Hugh Allan Harper
and passed away on October 8, 2004. Don lived his entire life in the Olds
area, initially in the Ennerdale district and later in the town of Olds.
Don went to school at the Ennerdale School, a mile across the field from
home. He enjoyed sports; softball in the summer and hockey in the winter.
Playing hockey with the Ennerdale Rink Rats on the Little Red Deer River
provided him with hours of pleasure.
Don put in many hours of work at home on the farm. He often told his son,
Bill, "You don't know what hard work is until you clear a quarter section of
bush by hand." Life on the farm was not always fun. Don also worked in
trucking, carpentry, surveying with the Alberta Department of Highways and
Caretaking with the County of Mountain View Schools. He often joked that he
graduated from caretaking at the Elementary School to working at the High
School where he still cleaned up after school kids. He always enjoyed the
kids at school and finally retired in 1979.
In his retirement years, he spent a significant amount of time pursuing his
hobbies of wood working, gardening, fishing and going for drives in the
country to inspect the crops. Don and Anne also enjoyed travelling during
retirement. They journeyed to Norway, Alaska, Eastern Canada, Hawaii,
Disneyland, and Arizona to name a few, often travelling with their life long
friends, Harold and Elsie Stromsmoe.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Anne Lenora Bartholow whom he married on
July 26, 1946, and his three children, Colleen and her husband Don Trenerry,
and their children Kathryn and husband Stuart Harker and their children
Georgia and Charlie. Christopher and wife Jennifer Trenerry and their
daughter Faith.
Stuart and his wife Janyce and their children Jodie and husband Brian
Buchsdruecker and their son Jack. Rebecca and husband Chris Dolezal.
Bill and his wife Cindy and their two boys David and Graham.
In addition to the immediate family, Don is survived by two sisters-in-law
Lettie Harper and her family, and Alma Harper and her family.
Don is also survived by Anne's brother and two sisters-in-laws: James
Bartholow and his family; Isabel Bartholow and her family; Betty Bartholow
and her family.
As well as numerous nieces and nephews on the Harper and Bartholow side of
the family.
Memorial donations in Donald's honor may be made to the Alberta Heart and
Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society. A Memorial Service was held
Monday, October 11, 2004 at the Olds Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Al
Griffin officiating. Inurnment was held prior to the service at the Eagle
Valley Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mountain View Funeral Chaels,
Olds. Phone 556-3223.
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HADDLETON - William Alfred. Born June 21, 1925 on the farm homestead near
Climax, Saskatchewan. Passed away October 15, 2004 in Olds, Alberta.
William Alfred Haddleton (Bill) of Bowden, Alberta passed away peacefully at
Olds General Hospital Extended Care on October 15, 2004 at the age of 79
years.
Bill was a long term Alzheimer victim and was cared for very tenderly by the
staff at the Extended Care in the Olds Hospital.
Bill was born on the farm in rural Saskatchewan and lived his entire life
with farming in his blood. He was also an avid golfer, curler, fisherman,
and hunter. He worked as a young man in Langley, B.C., during the winters as
a mechanic and laborer.
His family operatored a School Dormitory before school bus transportation in
rural Saskatchewan. He was a jack of all trades determined to keep the rural
way of life.
He married Gloria Huhtala on July 31, 1953 and together they farmed and
raised their family in Climax, Saskatchewan.
Bill was employed by the Eastend School Unit for 40 years as both a school
bus driver and custodian. After retirement, Bill was stricken with
Alzheimers, far too early in his life.
Bill and Gloria then decided to move to Bowden for better Health Care
Services in Alberta. It was a bonus that their daughter Connie and her
family lived here. Their daughter Beverley and her husband Garth had helped
with his care prior to their move.
Bill will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humor, his caring both as
a husband and a father as well as the tremendous courage and will to live he
has shown all of us throughout his suffering.
Bill is survived by his wife Gloria of 51 years, his daughter Connie
Huelsman and her husband Larry of Bowden, his granddaughter Valerie Huelsman
of Lethbridge, his daughter Beverley Nerada and her husband Garth of Climax,
Saskatchewan.
He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and
brothers-in-law in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. He was
predeceased by his parents, his two sisters Beatrice, Muriel and his brother
Edward.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Alzheimer Society
and the Extended Care at Olds Hospital, for others and their families.
A funeral service for the late William (Bill) Haddleton will be held at the
Bowden Evangelical Missionary Church in Bowden on Friday, October 22nd at
1:00 p.m. Interment to follow at the Bowden Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Mountain View Funeral Chapel, Olds
(556-3223) and the Memorial Society Red Deer & District.
The Alzheimer Society's symbol is the forget-me-not flower. This symbol
represents memory loss - one of the symptoms of Alzheimer Disease, and
serves as a reminder to remember people with Alzheimer Disease and their
caregivers. Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.
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WEIMER - Fred.
It is with fond memories the family grieves the peaceful passing of Fred
Weimer, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather as well
as brother, in the early hours of October 17, 2004 at 90 years of age.
Fred was born at his family home in the Bridgeland area of Calgary on
December 12, 1913. He moved with his family to the Mayton area at the age of
14. For the next 53 years he enjoyed farming with his family in the area
prior to moving to Olds to begin his retirement with his wife, Molly of 64
years. This gave him more time to enjoy socializing and puttering around in
his garage and yard. He always enjoyed a visit from his children and
grandchildren.
Fred was predeceased by his loving wife Molly, daughter Lorraine, sister
Mary Lang and infant brother David.
Fred will be lovingly remember by daugher Marilyn Weimer, son Allan
(Dorothy) Weimer, son Stan (Laurette) Weimer, son-in-law Stewart Flinn,
grandchildren Randy (Debora) Flinn, Veronica (Dan) Stevenson, Dawnaca (Stan)
Martin, Alisa Weimer, Traci-Lyn (Craig) Taylor, April Weimer, Owen Weimer,
10 great grandchildren, brother Victor (Mary) Weimer and sister Clara
(Melvin) Kline.
A family interment at the Olds Cemetery will precede a Celebration of Fred's
life on Wednesday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Olds Church of the Nazarene.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to the Heart and Stroke
Foundation or STARS.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Mountain View Funeral Chapels, Olds. Phone
556-3223.
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CLARK - Michael George Clark passed away quietly on Monday Oct. 18, 2004
following a brief illness due to cancer.
Born September 14, 1941, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Michael R. Clark and
Clara A. (Lang) Clark. He was the great grandson of Dr. Michael Clark "Red
Michael".
He grew up and attended school in Calgary. Some of his fondest memories of
his childhood were visiting the family farm in Olds. His parents moved to
the United States in 1959. Canada was in his blood. He retained his
citizenship and dreamed of retiring in Kelowna. He and son Michael spent 13
summers traveling and camping through out British Columbia. Their last
camping trip took them into the Yukon.The past 3 summers were spent in
Kelowna, BC.
At the time of his death, he was employed by Steelscape, Inc. in Kalama, WA
as a Quality Assurance Lab Tech. He is survived by his wife of 26 years
Linda. Son Michael H. Clark, at home, two daughters, Patricia Clark of
Portland, OR. and Michelle Clark Molyneux, wife of Chris Molyneux of
Vancouver, WA. Three granddaughters, Katherine "Katie" Moyneux, Sarah
Molyneux and Madeline "Maddie" Molyneux all of Vancouver, WA. An aunt Louise
Lang of Brush Prairie, WA and an aunt Jenny Lang of Calgary, Alberta,
Canada, as well as many cousins still living in Canada.
At his request there will be no service. Memorial Contributions may be made
to the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, WA., any Cancer Society or to
the charity of your choice.
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POST - Cynthia Post passed away peacefully on October 17, 2004 in the Olds
Hospital at the age of 68 years. She was born on January 19, 1936 in
Saskatoon to Ernest and Ivy Colley. They moved to Winnipeg when Cynthia was
6 years old and she attended school at Norwood.
She worked for the Department of Industry and Commerce from 1953 to 1960.
Cynthia married her long time friend, William (Bill) Post on September 6,
1958.
Cynthia and Bill had started grade school together and were in the same
class for the first 6 years. Together they had 3 children James, Donald and
Susan. Her children were her joy and challenge. She wanted nothing more than
to do a good job and give them the love and closeness of a solid family.
In 1965 they relocated to Calgary where Cynthia did numerous volunteer
positions with the Girl Guides of Canada and her children's schools. In
1993, they moved to Olds where they remained until her passing.
Cynthia will be remembered for her volunteering with the JOY Fellowship
Committee, Knitters for Romania, Olds Wordspinners Study Group and for
publishing a number of books, articles, and short stories. She also fought
to protect Burnstick Lake, a place for her to re-centre and draw in deep,
soul renewal of nature. This was Cynthia and Bill's place, a place that
looked out over the water, a place snuggled in the rich boreal forest, a
place for Cynthia to write and paint and share with her family and friends.
She loved her Lord with all her heart and diligently prayed that all her
children would be led to him too.
In September 2001, Cynthia was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 2002, she
was told the cancer was back and there was no cure. This did not stop
Cynthia, she began to inform other women of the signs and symptoms through
articles and a book she had written on her own experiences. Cynthia loved
her precious family and her soul-mate, Bill and that love was returned and
continually expressed. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by her
family and numerous friends.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. with
Pastor Brent Reilly officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the Tom Baker
Cancer Centre, Ovarian Cancer Research or the charity of choice.
As a tribute to Cynthia Post, a tree will be planted in the Heartland Tree
Memorial Park, Olds.
Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds, entrusted with arrangements.
507-8610.
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EKISS - Freeland Malcolm Ekiss passed away peacefully at the Olds Auxiliary
Hospital on Saturday, October 23, 2004 at the age of 95 years.
Freeland was born in Edmonton on July 28, 1909 to Mildred (nee Wadleigh)
from Kingsey, Quebec and Frederick Xavier originally from Bethany, Illinois,
USA. Freeland attended Garrbit School of Business in Calgary and the Olds
School of Agriculture. He chose to farm in the Olds area. He was an avid
fisherman and a student of nature.
Freeland leaves behind his loving wife Loretta, whom he married on March 11,
1950; son Trevor (Betty) of Olds; daughter Gaylene (Bob) Thompson of
Edmonton; sister Augusta Upham of Olds; and a cousin Virginia Ekiss of
Illinois USA. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Mark Ensminger of
Lacombe, Lorene (Lori) Crous of Calgary, Debra Springham and Heather
Thompson of Edmonton and Bradley Thompson of Calmar, Alberta and his great
grandchildren Travis Thompson, Renee Crous and Sydney Ensminger,
sister-in-law Freida (Gordon) Ekiss, Nephews Warren Upham and Reg Ekiss,
niece Joyce Whitford and by numerous other family and friends. He was
predeceased by his brothers Gordon and Frederick (Ted), both of Olds and
daughter Joanne Ensminger of Olds.
A special thank you to Dr. Kelly and the palliative care staff at the Olds
Auxiliary Hospital. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to
STARS Air Ambulance Services, Calgary Base, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570,
Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7. Tel: 403-295-1811 Fax: 403-275-4891 Email:
info@stars.ca
A funeral service will be held at Mountain View Funeral Chapel, 5226 ñ 46
Street, Olds on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. with Reverend Fiona
Wilkinson officiating. Interment will follow at the Olds Cemetery. A
gathering for friends and family will be held at the Olds Royal Canadian
Legion following the interment.Funeral arrangements entrusted to MOUNTAIN
VIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, Olds. Phone: 556-3223.
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