BURSKOV: Phyllis Olga
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Phyllis Burskov on September 12 at the age of 94. Phyllis was born on February 19, 1914 to Ernest and Maude Severns at Acme, Alberta. She was one of eight children. Phyllis had many joys in her life. Her family meant the world to her. She also enjoyed her many friends, bridge, trips and crocheting. She will always be remembered for her many stories and truly was a wealth of knowledge. Phyllis will be missed dearly. Phyllis was predeceased by her loving husband Chris, her parents and six brothers and sisters. She is survived by her two sons Norman and Allen (Donna), grandchildren Craig (Shawna) and Sarah, one sister Helen along with numerous nieces, nephews and special friends. Funeral services for Phyllis Burskov will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home, 17 Ave S.E. at Garden Road, Calgary Alberta on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada or the Arthritis Society of Canada. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel of Drumheller in care of arrangements.
CUNNINGHAM: Henry Walter October 13, 1930 - September 11, 2008
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Henry Walter Cunningham (Hank), who passed peacefully in his sleep on September 11, 2008. Hank was born in Wayne, Alberta on October 13, 1930 to Walter and Maria Cunningham. He was the first born son in a family of 10 children. In his early years, Hank was a promising semi-professional baseball player, and was well-known throughout South Eastern Alberta in the early 1950’s when he played for local teams such as the Rosedale Aces and the Brooks Buffalos. Hank joined the military in 1954 and completed 21 years of service, earning the rank of sergeant. He then joined the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede as the Operations Manager, and retired in 1992. During his retirement, Hank volunteered for many organizations including: the Metis Nation of Alberta, Alberta Children’s Services, Drumheller Rodeo, and the town of Wayne. Hank loved horses and the cowboy life, and was a regular spectator and/or volunteer on the local Rodeo circuit. Hank moved back to Wayne in 1997, where he chose to live out the rest of his life with his loving partner of seven years, Kathleen Ness, who will miss him dearly. Hank is predeceased by his father Walter (1982), and mother, Maria (2004), brother Glenn (1942), sister Theresa Davies (1990), and brother Roy “Sykes” (2000), daughter Judy Mae (1966). Hank is survived by five children: Art, Alan (Debbie), Karen, Dean (Sandy), and Bonnie Plett (Cameron). He is also survived by his siblings: Robert (Gertie), Chester (Elzaida), Reva Ziegler (Alec), June Remi, Leonard (Kim), and Kenneth (Kathy). Hank will also be missed by his step son, Rhett, eleven grandchildren, six great grand children, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Prayers will be held at Courtney Winter’s Funeral Home on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 7:00 pm. A celebration of Hank’s life will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Friday, September 19 at 11: 00 am. Reception will follow at the Wayne Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wayne Community Association: Box 862 Rosedale, Alberta T0J 2V0. Courtney Winter’s Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.
FOX: Lillian “Lily”
Lillian “Lily” Fox, originally of Carbon, AB, passed away at the Drumheller Health Care Centre on September 9, 2008, at the age of 90 years. Lily will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Carol Ann and numerous other family members and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Alfred in 1997. Lily was born and raised in the Carbon area. She married Alfred in 1951 and continued to reside there where they raised their Daughter Carol Ann. Lily moved to the Drumheller Health Centre in 2003 and was an active participant in the various activities offered such as painting, cooking, music and outings. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Marie Potter and the nursing staff at The Care Centre for their care and compassion of Lily over the last five years. A Celebration of Lily’s Life was held in the Chapel of MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERAL HOME, Calgary, AB, on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY, 1605 - 100 Street SE, (17th Ave SE and Garden Rd) Calgary, AB. Telephone (403) 272 - 5555.
GOGOL: Nicholas
Nicholas Gogol was born Melville, Sask. on September 26, 1919. He is survived by his wife Irene of 65 years, son Gerald (Peggy) Gogol, Lucille (Terry) Hampton, Sharon (Ed) Bremer, Leon Gogol, Grandchildren Darren (Tamara) Gogol, Lisa (Greg) Anderson, Lyle (Brandi) Hampton Shawna Bremer, Kari (Trevor) Holder, and Karli Gogol, and great grandchildren Jeffrey and Amber Anderson and Grace and Sara Gogol. He is also survived by his sisters Helen (Hugh) Carpenter, Lillian (Floyd) Anderson, and Carol (Larry) Kohsel. Predeceased by his brother Felix. Nick started school at Amsterdam, Sask. With all the moving his family did he also attended school at Bassano, Parkland, Rowley, and Rumsey, Alberta. In 1940 he went to Camrose for basic training in the army. Later, he worked on a farm at Indus which is where he met his wife. They came to the Rumsey area to farm in 1944. Nick served as a councillor for the M.D. of Starland for two terms and also was a life member of the B.P.O.E. No. 147, Big Valley Lodge. Being with family and friends was always very important to Nick. We will all miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Drumheller Continuing Care Centre in honour of Nick’s memory. A memorial service will be held at the Rumsey Hall on Wednesday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m.
JONES: Al
Al was born on Valentine’s Day in 1921 In Nova Scotia. He passed away August 20, 2008. Memorial service, Monday August 25, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Sherwood Park United Church.
After spending the morning with his son, Bob and the afternoon with his best friend, Dorothy, Al died in his sleep on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Al spent twenty years in the Navy then worked for AGT for as many years again. Up until very recently he lived a good life full of activities with good friends and family. He was a good man and was loved by many. Al was predeceased by his loving wife, Claire and his sister, Beth. He is survived by his sons, Wayne (Peggy), Bob, Greg (Gail) and Terry (Marilyn); seven grandchildren; Tony, Carrie, Mark, Craig, Andrea, Nikki and Ali; four great grandchildren, Mitchell, Noah, Joel and Camryn. Albert is also survived by his sister Annie Russell of Drumheller; cousin May Quinn and the Hutchinson clan back home. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to donate to their favorite charity.
POWELL: Douglas George
Long time valley resident, Doug Powell, died in Drumheller at the age of 68 years after a lengthy illness. Doug was born and raised as one of 8 siblings of a coal mining family in Midland. In 1960 he joined the army with aspirations to see the world and was sent to Germany where he solidified great life-long friendships with the “Army Buddies”. His time overseas was prominent nostalgia material all through his life and the adventures there painted the picture of a man who was not only a good soldier, but a student of the world. Doug worked every type of job in the book and was prized for his hard work, work ethic and loyalty. In 1965, at a fateful dance in Jenner, he met the woman he would marry. Jean caught his eye as a spinsterly school marm with one heck of a sense of fun. He was hooked! They married in 1966 and settled in Drumheller, which Doug always claimed was the most beautiful place on earth. They brought about two children, Craig and Carla, who were the objects of tons of love, affection and play from a proud dad. Doug’s focus was always on family and he worked more than he should have to ensure his kids got the education that he never had and were set to take on the world. Doug was trained as a floor layer and together with Jean, they opened their own business. Through their life together, they owned two businesses, DJ Decorating and DJ Fashions Ladies Wear. He was also a familiar face around Macleod’s and the consortium, where he worked until his retirement. Doug was known for his love of flowers and spent many an hour cultivating his backyard paradise. He enjoyed camping with his family and long fire-side chats, playing ceaselessly with his children, going for Sunday drives and ice cream and visiting with friends. In the past few years, Doug found a special camaraderie with the ‘boys’ at the Legion, who are sure to miss all the baking that he plied on them, and also with his cousin Ronnie who was an almost daily companion in the garden and around town. Doug was a bit of a medical miracle and survived 16 years beyond his first prognosis and many years beyond his 2nd, 3rd, 4th , etc prognoses! If we live our lives with one tenth of Doug’s will to live, we will never die. Doug’s final day was spent shopping and puttering in the garden; he was fine and happy. That night, he died in his daughter’s arms, safe and loved, and simply. His gentlemanly ways, sweetness, sense of humour, generosity, wisdom and guidance will be sorrowfully missed by his daughter Carla. Douglas will be missed by his two remaining brothers, John (Margaret) and Richard (Pierrette) as well as many friends and relatives. There is a hole left in Drumheller that was once filled by a brood of Powell’s. This was Doug’s town and the valley walls have taken on a different sheen with his passing. He was predeceased by his wife Jean and son Craig who were sure to be waiting for him on the flip-side. Funeral services were held at Knox United Church on September 15th. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion #22, Box 147, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y0.
TOSHACH: Mary Jane 1928 - 2008
On September 7, 2008 Jane Toshach of Brentwood Bay passed away at the age of 80 years, her husband Ean predeceased her in 2001. She will be lovingly remembered by her twin brother Ian of London, England and a sister, Anne of Cornwall, England; her children, all of Edmonton, Ann (Greg), Jill (Orest) and Eric (Dawn) as well as four grandchildren, Jennifer, Jason, Ian and Bryant. The family would like to thank Kelly, her caregiver, as she was like a daughter to Jane and Dr. J. Forster who was a good friend and a devoted physician. Service of remembrance was held at Sequoia Gardens Memorial, 4665 Falaise Drive, Monday September 15, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Sequoia Gardens Memorial 250-658-6202.