BITZ: Violet (nee Neumiller)  August 29, 1930 - July 12, 2007

Violet passed away July 12, 2007, at the age of 76 years. She was born in the Glidden, Saskatchewan area, along with her brothers and sisters; Adolf, Ella, Edna, Emil, Harold, Reinhold, Edward (Violet’s Twin), and Helen. In 1949, she married Peter Bitz and they farmed in the area until 1962, when they bought a farm and moved to the Drumheller area. They have six children; Pauline (Louie), Donald (Sherry), Ivan (Debbie), Ruby, Joanne, and Caroline; four grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Violet was predeceased by her husband Peter, in 2000. A funeral service for Violet will be held at 11 am, on Wednesday, July 18, 2007, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (151 – 3 Street West). In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Personal Alternative Funeral Services , Calgary & Red Deer,  Telephone 1-888-216-5111

GIECK: David  1916 - 2007

David Gieck of Drumheller passed away at the Drumheller Hospital at the age of 91 years. David Gieck was born on February 13, 1916 in the hospital in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, his parents were August and Christina Gieck. In the first five years of his life he lived in Fox Valley, about 30 miles north of Maple Creek where his parents had a homestead.  In 1921 he moved to Lodi, California with his parents. They worked in the fruit orchards in California, but in 1927 the family moved back to Canada, first to Acme, Alberta, where they farmed for two years, and then to Carbon in 1929, where they rented a farm about four miles west of town. Dave started school in California and was in grade 5 when they came to Canada. He attended Selkirk School in Acme for two years in a country school about 8 miles north west of Acme, also Avondale, about four miles west of Carbon and also the Carbon School. Dave was in grade 10 when he quit Carbon High School in 1932, and farmed with his brother August on a farm they rented in the Swalwell district.

On July 30, 1941 Dave married Rose Ohlhauser and they farmed together south of Carbon for 35 years. In 1963 they built a new house on the farm, and on August 1, 1974, they moved this same house to Carbon. Dave farmed another two years while living in town. They then sold the farm and retired. Dave loved sports, golfing, fishing, bowling and also gardening. His pride and joy was planting 200 gladiolus every year. He loved flowers and always had a display of various varieties.

He was predeceased by his wife Rose, who passed away on November 22, 1991 in the Drumheller Regional hospital with a massive stroke, his mother Christine in 1959 and father, August in 1959, also a sister, Lillian (Art) Nicher on September 2, 1997, a brother August (Martha) on February 13 (on Dave’s birthday), and one sister Martha Richardson in 2005 On December 7, 1996, Dave married Angela Maria Butt of Drumheller, Alberta and they took up residence in the new Condominium, the Keystone Towers in downtown Drumheller. Dave is survived by his dear wife Angela, one brother, Bert (Ester) of Calgary, Alberta, one brother-in-law Ed Richardson of Seattle, Washington, one step-daughter, Cathy (Bob) Chambers of Drumheller, Ed Butt of Fort McMurray, Tony (Cathy) Butt of Drumheller, and seven step grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Also many nieces and nephews, of special mention is Melody Lane, a niece, but more like a daughter` to Dave. She spent many of her summer holidays and even her pre-school years on the farm with Dave and his wife during his lifetime, she kept in touch with him regularly by telephone and visits.

Dave accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour on January 10, 1932 and was baptized that same year, joining the church and was a member of the Carbon Baptist Church until his death. He was active in church work during his life time while he lived in Carbon, as Young People’s President. Youth and part time adult Sunday School teacher, church clerk for 29 consecutive years, Deacon for 18 years, as well as chairman of the Flower on Hospital Committee. On behalf of the church he would visit the hospital patients and present them with a card and flowers from the church.Funeral Services for David Gieck will be held from the Carbon Baptist Church on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Richard Kauenhofen officiating. Following the service, interment to take place at the Fruedental Cemetery. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements.  (403) 823-2666.

PICKERSGILL: Joanne Ruth  1953 - 2007

Joanne Ruth Pickersgill (Hall) passed away peacefully in the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary on Thursday, July 6, 2007 with her family by her side at the age of 54 years. Joanne was born in Drumheller on June 29, 1953. She grew up on the family farm north of Delia. She took her schooling in Delia as well. She worked for many years in Calgary for companies in the transport business.  On November 14, 1985 Joanne married Dennis Pickersgill in Stettler. They have one daughter, Michelle Lynne, who was born on October 18, 1986. Joanne’s special love was of horses and her many, many camping trips with her daughter to Pine Lake. She belonged to the Fort Calgary Wheel & Runners Riding Club

Joanne is survived by her loving husband Dennis and her daughter Michelle (Aaron) of Calgary, her mother Charlotte Hall of Stettler, her sisters Viola (Eldon) Wilson of Stettler, Arlene (Don) Herzog of Delia, brothers Don (Bev) Hall of Delia, David (Barb) Hall of Camrose and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Joanne was predeceased by her father Ernie Hall in 2004.  According to her wishes, Joanne was laid to rest in Delia with only her immediate family present. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. As an expression of sympathy, and in loving memory of Joanne, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice in care of Brennen Funeral Home (2001) Ltd. Box 193, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0, who were entrusted with the funeral arrangements. 742-3315

STANFORD: Harry  September 15, 1916 - July 12, 2007

Harry Standford, 90 years old passed away on July 12, 2007. Harry was born in Andrew, Alberta and grew up on the family farm. He moved to Drumheller and started working in the mines. He worked at the Brilliant Mine from 1941 – 1958 and then the Hy-grade mine from 1961-1963; after working hours he would deliver coal. When the mines closed down he worked for the Town of Drumheller until 1971; was a janitor at Central School until 1980; caretaker and grounds keeper at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church for many years. When Harry retired in 1980 he didn’t stop working. Working was a big part of his life up and until his 90th year.  Many people knew Harry from his after hour jobs like; plowing gardens, cutting grass, building fences, painting, handyman work and wood working. Harry loved building his wishing wells, windmills and planters which are scattered all over the valley. Harry enjoyed the simple things in life like family, friends, exchanging old stories with Bessie, gardening, wood working, and good food. He loved garlic sausage, perogies, sauerkraut and cabbage rolls, just to name a few. Bye-Bye Harry.

Harry is survived by Bessie Verga, good friend and companion for 15 years; daughter Angie Mascot of Detroit, Michigan; son Doug Stanford (Carol) of Drumheller, Alberta, daughter Gerry Bone (Jim) of Kelowna, British Columbia and step-son John Celik (Diane) of Drumheller, Alberta and 13 grand children. A Memorial Service was held from Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel on Monday, July 16, 2007 with Reverend Mac Jones officiating. Interment followed at the Drumheller cemetery. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 823-2666.