Basarowick/Parsons: Ernestine Margarite  1909 - 2004

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ernestine Basarowick on March 21, 2004.  Ernestine will be lovingly remembered by her sons; Joe Parsons, John Parsons, Reg Parsons, Bobby Ball and their wives, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and church family.  She was
predeceased by her son Bill, and former husband Jim Parsons. Born Ernestine Jutras; her family homesteaded in the Horseshoe Canyon area. She lived her whole life in the Drumheller Valley.  Ernestine¹s passions were her family, friends, and flowers.  She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.  Prayer Services will be held Wednesday, March 24, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. from St. Anthony¹s Roman Catholic Church.  Funeral Services for Ernestine will be Thursday, March 25, at 11:00 A.M. from St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church.  If friends so desire memorial donations may be made in Ernestine¹s memory to S.T.A.R.S. or the charity of ones' choice. Courtney-Winter's Funeral Chapel are in care of the arrangements.  Many thanks for the wonderful care and support by Dr. David and Mary Miller, nurses and staff from the Continuing Care Unit and Helping Hands.

Gross: Janet Ruth (Cole)

Janet Ruth Gross passed away on March 15, 2004 at the age of 48.  She is survived by her loving husband Lyle and son Tyler. Janet is survived by her brother Bill (Patti), in-laws Shirley Jager, Darlene Ecklund (Ray), Roger (Gail), Eric (Marilyn), Perry (Marie), and special mother-in-law Annie Gross, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Mary (1984) and Hubert Cole (1987). Janet was born and raised in Craigmyle attending school in Craigmyle, graduating in Delia and married the love of her life, Lyle in 1976.  They were blessed with one child, Tyler.  Her greatest joy in life was Tyler and all his achievements.
Janet was employed at the nursing home for 29 years.  She was a compassionate, conscientious care giver.  Staff and residents looked up to her, as she always went beyond her duties. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to an Educational Trust Fund set up in Tyler¹s name with the Royal Bank of Canada, 102 - 2nd Avenue West, Hanna, Alberta T0J 1P0. Funeral services are being arranged through Personal Alternatives Funeral Service, Drumheller, 823-5151.

Maclean: James (Jim) Roderick  1925 - 2004

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jim MacLean, beloved husband of Reta MacLean of Rimbey on March 15, 2004.  Jim was born on November 25, 1925 in the Craigmyle, Alberta area.  One of nine children, He was truly a Ohomestead¹ boy growing up on their family sheep farm.  Jim worked on various farms and ranches in Southern Alberta as a hired hand before joining the Oil & Gas Industry on numerous seismic crews in various bush camp locations.  He met the girl of his dreams in Stettler, Alberta after joining BA Oil in 1951.  He and Reta (nee Milner) were wed on April 20, 1954 in Stettler, where they resided for the first few years. They then lived in various parts of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan before settling down in Pincher Creek, Alberta in 1958 where Jim worked at the BA Gas Plant.  Along their travels Jim and Reta were blessed with their four children.  In 1965 Jim transferred to the Rimbey Gas Plant and he and Reta built the first home of their own.  Dad loved his work and the guys at the Rimbey plant, he retired in December 1984. Dad was a soft spoken and gentle man that loved first his family, attending the Hand Hills Stampede every year to see old childhood friends and relatives in the area.  Each year we kids always anticipated summer and our numerous camping adventures at Little Fish Lake.  Recently, he and Reta enjoyed their regular camping trips to Fairmont in the spring and fall each year. Dad always wanted to be a farmer ­ he loved the land and being outdoors.  He and Reta spent much time at his Oother home at the DeMott farm in the Delia area.  He worked there as a young man and as a senior he loved to lend a hand to his God daughter Dianne and her husband Harold Meyer. Around town everyone knew Jim to always have a moment to say hello and to offer any help to anyone that needed him.  Those in the neighborhood knew they could always count on Jim for anything.  Dad loved to keep busy with a building project for one of the kids, taking care of the yard and most know ­ not many snowflakes had a chance to sit for long on his driveway. Dad loved cards and they often got together with friends to spend an evening doing so.  He always loved a good game of crib as much as a good western on television.  He loved his feathered friends and years ago raised homing pigeons that could be clocked on return flights to Rimbey from as far away as BC and the Yukon.  Dad kept in great shape walking and picking bottles along the roads leading to town ­ he figured it kept the land a bit cleaner, he could exercise and make a few coins to bet with the Coffee Guys at the hotel.  His greatest joy was having his family together at home.  He was very excited as we were making plans to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this April. He will be dearly remembered by Reta, his wife of 49 years, his son Bill MacLean and his wife Carla, grandchildren Gillian and Will of Edmonton, daughter Joanne and her husband Keith Braaten of Calgary, daughter Colleen MacLean of Red Deer, son Wayne MacLean and his partner Brent Rock of Calgary as well as numerous furry four legged Ograndchildren¹ that always got a hug and scratch from their grandpa.  Jim is also survived by his sisters Eunice Wyman, Trudy McAdam, Jean Biengessner and brother John MacLean and sister-in-law Claire, brother-in-law Ted Houghton, father-in-law Bill Milner along with many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Dora (nee Beck) and John MacLean, sisters Annie Proudfoot, Clara Houghton, Evelyn Proudfoot and Catherine Bolduc. Reta and her family would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone for helping us through this tragedy.  We take comfort in knowing how loved Jim was and that is the true measure of a man.  We hope everyone is blessed to have such a wonderful person touch their lives with such gentle care. A memorial lunch to celebrate Jim was held on Saturday, March 20, 2004 at the Rimbey United Church basement.   A private graveside service will be held this spring at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.  If desired, in memory of Jim please make any donations to the S.P.C.A. or the Heart & Stroke Foundation. In memory of the late Mr. James MacLean a donation will be made to the Rimbey Hospital Bed Project. A lasting memorial presented by Wilson's Funeral Chapel. Wilson's Funeral Chapel serving Central Alberta with locations in Rimbey and Lacombe in charge of the arrangements. Phone: (403) 843-3388 or (403) 782-3366 " A CARING FAMILY,  CARING FOR FAMILIES ."

Staples: James Douglas  February 12, 1940 - March 14, 2004

James  Douglas, B. Ed, M.A. - teacher, mentor, artist, designer, woodworker, athlete, coach, community thinker, husband, father, friend.  Born in Drumheller, Alberta, on February 12, 1940.  Passed away on March 14, 2004 at home in Victoria, B.C. after a courageous fight with cancer. Predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Ruth; brother, Alexander Baird; and father-in-law, Clarence W. Johnson.  He leaves to mourn him, his wife, Anita (nee Johnson); son, Matthew (Christina Nielsen); daughter, Jennifer; siblings, David (Carol Ann), Brian (Marjorie), Margaret Falkenberg (Eugene); mother-in-law, Evelyn Dorothy Johnson; sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jim loved life and lived a vital and creative one.  Among his greatest joys were spending time with his children and watching them grow into successful adults, walking and talking with Anita, playing tennis with family and friends, designing and building many and varied woodworking projects, viewing the art of others and creating his own paintings, prints, sculptures, pottery, listening to music, reading, enjoying nature.  He was deeply committed and concerned for his fellow man, kept well informed on the issues of the day, saw it as his responsibility to stand up and be counted and inspired others to do the same.  He excelled as an educator over his 35 year career as a teacher in Calgary and an Alberta Education Consultant in Red Deer and region.  He formed lasting friendships with his colleagues in both places and his life touched and enriched many young people who were students in his classrooms in Calgary and members of the hockey and ball teams he coached in Red Deer.  Having an abundant, creative talent, Jim leaves behind a wonderful legacy of artworks, woodwork and design.  His family and friends were struck by his determination and fortitude in the face of the many physical traumas he experienced over the last three years. Right to the end, Jim maintained a sparkle in his eye and that spark of wit and fine character we all admired.  He will not be forgotten.  The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the many health care professionals who so expertly administered to Jim over the last three years and to the many support staff, who in the course of their work, so ably and sensitively touched him. A celebration of Jim¹s life, as requested by him will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2004 in the Activity Room, 121 Aldersmith Place, Victoria.  If desired, donations may be made to the B.C. Cancer Agency, 2410 Lee Avenue,  Victoria, B.C. V8R 6V5, or the Victoria Hospice Society, 1952 Bay Street, Richmond Pavilion, Victoria, B.C. V8R 1J8.  Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com. McCall Bros. of Victoria, B.C.
(250) 385-4465.