Obituaries | DrumhellerMail
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Last updateThu, 18 Apr 2024 9am

Condolences to the family of Kenneth John Long

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LONG
Kenneth John

December 11, 1957 - March 6, 2024

Kenneth John Long was born to Ivan and Mary Long in Drumheller, Alberta on December 11, 1957, and raised on the family farm north of Delia. Ken graduated from Delia High School in 1976 and then took a trip in 1987 to Australia as part of a farm work experience exchange. He truly enjoyed the trip and the different operations that he was employed at. The agricultural way of life was central to Ken for much of his life. Ken was a member of the Delia Ag Society and his past times included fishing, camping and playing cards at Luke’s Café and his Aunt Elsie’s.
Upon the move off the farm acreage in 2005, a house was purchased in Delia, where he lived with his mother. Ken was employed as a truck driver with various companies in central Alberta.
In 2017, Ken travelled to Italy for a family reunion held in Fossacesia, Chieti, the hometown of his maternal grandparents, joining family from Canada, USA, Chile and Italy. Travels began with celebrations and touring the area and continued on to Venice and Rome.
In 2019, following the sale of the house in Delia, Ken moved to a senior’s resident in Strathmore and then Chestermere. Ken passed away on Wednesday March 6, 2024, at the Foothills hospital He is survived by his sisters, Kay Richards (Doug) and Patty Blocksom (Terry), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, along with cousins throughout Canada, USA and Italy. Ken was predeceased by his brother Jim and sister Elsie Littlejohns as well as his parents, Ivan and Mary.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Foothills hospital for their care during his brief illness. There will be a celebration of life with an interment at the Delia Cemetery on Saturday, April 20th at 10:30 A.M., followed by lunch at 12:00 P.M. in the Delia Hall. Donations can be made to the Senior Centre in Delia, Box 151, Delia, AB T0J 0W0.
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.


Condolences to the family of Arthur Wilfred Bergman

ArthurBergman

BERGMAN
Arthur Wilfred

June 24, 1936 - March 30, 2024

Art Bergman was born in Hanna on June 24,1936 to Art Sr. and Helen (Norlie) Bergman. He grew up on the family farm North of Craigmyle with his parents and two brothers, Allan and Don. He received most of his schooling in a one room school at Lillico before going to school in Craigmyle. Despite leaving formal education at the end of Grade nine, Art’s intelligence shone through in his ability to master complex agricultural calculations with ease.
In his early years, Art supported the family farm and worked as a farm hand for neighbors. He took a job as a shop helper at Fred’s Auto Body in Craigmyle, cleaning floors and taking out trash, where he quickly discovered a love for all things mechanical. He was able to shadow the onsite mechanics and his ability to learn quickly bloomed. Looking for something more permanent, Art worked as a 2nd man at various grain elevators in the area before becoming an agent for the National Grain Company in Craigmyle in 1963.
On March 28,1964, Art married his forever dance partner, Beverly Fleck of Watts. Art and Bev made their home in Craigmyle and welcomed Laurelle Lee (Laurie) in 1966. Life at the little house in Craigmyle was a time of adjustment. Indoor plumbing wasn’t available. Bev had recently quit her steady teaching job and Art wasn’t satisfied being a grain buyer. During this time, Art and Bev grieved the loss of their 2nd child, Aaron Kenneth in 1969. Soon after Art, Bev and Laurie were overjoyed to welcome Corey Arthur in 1970. In 1972, the family of four moved to the farm Southeast of Craigmyle and in 1975, Donna Mae’s arrival completed the family of five.
Always a hard worker, Art supplemented the first few farming years by hauling cattle for local producers, often making multiple trips in and out of Calgary in the same day. Bev remembers Art living on little sleep in those days. He would often roll in at 2:00 am and be gone again by 6:00 am.
Art’s dedication to hard work extended beyond his own farm, as he tirelessly assisted neighbors and friends. He spent countless hours troubleshooting and doing mechanical repairs not only for himself but for friends and neighbors along with fixing appliances, plowing snow from driveways, and tending to the prairie cemeteries. Art’s kindness and expertise were always at the forefront. He led various 4-H projects, chaired many community group meetings, and served 25 years as a director of the East Central Gas Co-op.
Art was often described as a ‘character’. His friendly personality meant that he was known by most people in the area and if he didn’t know them, he made it his mission to find a common connection.
Nature and animals were important to Art. He assisted in the building nests for ferruginous hawks, he stocked his dugout with trout, and he would relocate baby bunnies out of the way of his equipment. The kids remember him bringing them as well as goose eggs home to foster. Art also took delight in seeing wildlife, like moose, in his yard or the countryside.
Art took off his final crop in his 80th year and moved into retirement to pursue his hobbies with gusto. He maintained an active interest in farming innovations. Crop tours and coffee time were regular activities, not to mention the challenge of restoring farm implements. Art has left his love of dancing to country and western music to live on through every member of his family.
Art was pre-deceased by his son Aaron (1969) and his brother Allan (1985).
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Bev, and his loving family Laurie (Jeff) Armstrong, Tim and Kelly; Corey (Kelly) Bergman, Erin and Carson; Donna (Steven) Lang, Gracie and Barrett, his brother Don (Dianne) Bergman, sister-in-law, Heather (Jim) Davidson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
If so desired, donations may be made to Craigmyle Historic Church, Site1, B-3, Box 14, Craigmyle, AB, T0J 0T0.

Condolences to the family of Charles "Ed" Edward Butt

EdButt

BUTT
Charles “Ed” Edward

February 13, 1955 - February 27, 2024

Ed Butt beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle passed away suddenly on February 27, 2024 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico at the age of 69 years.
Ed Butt was born on February 13, 1955, in Drumheller, Alberta to Angela & Charles Butt. Ed attended St. Anthony’s Catholic school from kindergarten to grade nine and graduating from Drumheller Composite High School in 1973. He worked as a power lineman with Alberta Power (Atco Electric) from 1974 to 2009, 36 years, transferring from Drumheller, Stettler, eventually retiring at age 55 from Fort McMurray. Ed enjoyed his early retirement, snow birding in Mazatlán, Mexico in his R.V. He loved the beach, his Canam spider, dancing and spending time with his family and friends. “Rest Easy Eddie”
Ed was predeceased by his mother Angela (Butt) Gieck July 14, 2014, his father Charles Edward Butt May 3, 1997.
Ed leaves to cherish his memory one daughter Jenna Butt, one son Michael Butt, two grandchildren Malachi and Cali, one sister Cathy and Bob Chambers, one brother Tony Butt, one aunt Anna-May Cardamone, special friend Sherry Keichinger, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a lifetime of friends.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 A.M at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church with Father Lukas Drapal as celebrant, Ed will be laid to rest at a later date. The family invites everyone to join them for lunch and wake at the Midland Community Hall following the Mass.
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.