Burt: Earl  1920 - 2004

Earl Burt, beloved husband of 61 years to Elsie, passed away peacefully at the Foothills Hospital on Friday, January 23, 2004 surrounded by his loving family. Earl was born on August 28, 1920 at Garden Plain, Alberta to Harvey and Rebecca Burt. Earl grew up in the Scapa area along with his two sisters and two brothers enjoying a youth full of hard work and adventure - sports days, pranks, building barns, playing baseball, operating a threshing outfit, trips to the States with Mother and Dad and so on. Not wanting to be a farmer forever, Earl left to work for the CPR at the Aluth Shop in Calgary when he was 20 years old. Two years later, Earl enlisted in the army on February 23, 1942 at Camrose. After brief training in Camrose and Calgary, he was sent to Camp Borden tank school in Ontario and then on to Camp Debert, Nova Scotia to train for the Governor Generals Foot Guards, 21st Armored Regiment 4th Division. While on 10 days leave, Earl traveled home by train to marry Elsie on August 25, 1942 and to visit with family before leaving for overseas in September.  After tank training in England, the 4th Division landed in France on July 15, 1944 and moved through Belgium and Holland. Earl drove a tank and later a half track, escaping serious injury more than once. Over 3 and a half years later, Earl returned home safely on December 13, 1945 in Calgary. He was discharged January 6, 1946 and was ready to go farming and ranching. Earl and Elsie took up residence on the Borel place, six miles north of Craigmyle that spring - the beginning of 58 years of "life on the farm" together. In the first couple of years, Earl and Elsie learned that land alone could not profit enough, so they decided to raise cattle.  Earl began with a few head of Angus and bought the first registered Angus cow in 1948. Through the years the registered herd grew and made some good showings at Bull sales and 4-H sales. Although they continued to mix farm, "Earl's cows" were always his pride and joy. Earl was fortunate to finish his work by feeding his bulls for the last time the day before he passed away.  Earl had a passion for collecting things - he was always on the look out for a good book, old car parts, old tin cans and bottles and many other "treasures". He enjoyed reading, especially rural history books and he loved to share stories about his life and experiences with others. He was blessed with a sharp mind, good sense of humor, and an incredible memory for events, dates and names which made for a good story. Over the years, Earl was a strong supporter of community life, being involved with many clubs, associations, projects and work bees. He enjoyed a "drive around the block" to check the crops and visiting with good friends and neighbors over a cup of coffee. He attended every Remembrance Day service except one due to illness, and in recent years, he enjoyed visiting schools in the area with fellow Legion members around November 11th to talk about the war and the hard fought freedom that we enjoy today. He traveled back to Europe with Garry and Diane in 1985 to tour all the places he was at during the war and to visit the graves of fallen comrades at Canadian War cemeteries. Earl was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle who was deeply proud of his family, so interested in their activities and accomplishments and also always there to support us all in many ways. Earl was a man of integrity, strength, example, generosity and always willing to lend a hand. He had a soft spot in his heart for children and young people. His memory will be cherished by all that knew him as a "one of a kind" and he will be sorely missed by all. He is survived by his wife Elsie, his son Garry (Maria) Burt of Edmonton and his children Aaron, Zachary, Matthew, Christopher and Shannon; his daughter Diane (Dale) Stuckey of Pincher Creek and their children Josh and Katie; granddaughter Carmen (Garry) Schneider of Drumheller and their children Barrett, Carissa and Brandon; granddaughter Carrie (Trevor) Georgsen of Hanna and their children Riley, Tanner and Parker; two brothers Bill (Augusta) and Harvey; brother in law Albert Delker, Sister in laws Violet Delker and Mae (Don) Weich, special family Reid (Joy) Jorgenson and many nieces and nephews. Earl was predeceased by his parents Harvey and Rebecca, his sisters Agnes and Olive, his daughter Sheila, grandson Kevin, and infant grandchildren Daniel and Julia. Funeral service to be held at the Craigmyle United Church on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Morris Bidluka officiating.  Interment to follow the luncheon at Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Calgary. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation or to S.T.A.R.S.    Courtney's Funeral Service entrusted with the arrangements.

Gibson: William Ashton  1919 - 2004

William Ashton Gibson of Carbon, Alberta passed away on January 12, 2004 at the Drumheller Hospital.  Bill was born on Feburary 4, 1919 in Carbon to William and Julia Gibson.  He was predeceased by his parents, brother Stanley, and sister Edna Smith.  He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Edna; daughters Marilyn Hay, Pat Stevenson (Tom); sons Larry, Bill (Sheila), Jim (Wendy) and Allen.  Also left mourning are 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Bill started farming at an early age north of Carbon and continued successfully for 69 years.  His time was divided between grain farming and ranching.  Bill looked forward to their annual trips to Calgary Stampede.  And later on in life attended the Nationals Rodeo 15 times in Las Vegas.  Curling and baseball were favorite sports in his younger years. Funeral Services were held at the Carbon Community Centre on January 17, 2004 with Rev. Rhonda Pigott officiating.  Arrangements in care of Courtney-Winter's Funeral Chapel of Drumheller, AB.  (403) 823-2666.

Nicklassen: Jennie (nee Solski)  1925 - 2004

On January 24, 2004 Jennie Nicklassen, formerly of Rosebud, Standard, and of Calgary, passed away at the Rockyview General Hospital at the age of 78 years. Jennie's cheerful smiles and gentle ways helped lighten hearts and brighten days.  Jennie will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Jennie is survived by her sons, Eddie and (Bernie) of Carbon, and Randy (Gail) of Calgary; her daughters, Sorena (Ron) Saretzky of Nipawan, SK, and the Rev. Tania Kleiman of Burbank, CA; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; as well as numerous other relatives and many friends.  She was predeceased by her husband, Harold Edward Nicklassen, her parents Tony and Magdalina Solski, her brother Michael Solski, her long time friend Ron Nee, her son-in-law Kenneth Kleiman, and her daughter-in-law Linda Priest. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Saturday, January 31, 2004 at 2:30 p.m.  To forward expressions of sympathy go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Jennie Nicklassen, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNNISTER ROAD S.E., CALGARY, TELEPHONE:  (403) 256-9575.

Yost: Fred  1918 - 2004

Mr. Fred Yost passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at the age of 85 years.  Fred was born in Cabri, Saskatchewan on June 30, 1918.  He grew up on the family farm and attended school in the area.  As a young man, he left to work in the hard rock mines of Ontario and later as a coal miner in the Drumheller area.  This provided Fred with the opportunity to farm in Rumsey, and later in the Drumheller area.  Fred and Helen retired to Red Deer. Fred is survived by his wife Helen; daughter Barbara (James) Lynch; grandchildren Tracey Lynch, Corey Lynch, Mellissa Yost, Kathy Yost, Angie Yost, Jack (Dawn) Yost and their daughter Rebecka, and Glenna Yost (Tim Jones) and their daughter Catalena.  Fred was predeceased by his son, Robert, in the summer of 2002; two brothers Abe and Frank, and two sisters Regina and Harriett.  A private family memorial tea will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, Red Deer.  Sympathies can be forwarded to the family at  www.parklandfuneralhome.com.  In living memory of Fred Yost, a tree will be planted in the Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium Memorial Tree Park. Arrangements in care of PARKLAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 6287 - 67A Street, Red Deer, AB T4P 3V9.  Phone 1-800-481-7421.