Obituaries | DrumhellerMail

Condolences to the family of Holly (Finkbiner) Guterson

HollyGuterson

GUTERSON
(Finkbiner)
Holly

1953 - 2023

It is with immense sadness and sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Holly Guterson (Finkbiner) on December 2, 2023 at the young age of 69 years and 345 days old.
Besides her loving & dedicated husband, Kevan Guterson, Holly is survived by her devoted daughters Melissa (Jeremy) Peters, Vanessa (Monte) Dumesnil, her son Chris (Lori) Hingst, her step children Craig Guterson, Warren Guterson & Heather (Bill Niblett) Guterson, her beloved grandchildren Ryan Hingst, Bentley Peters, Kaitlyn & Hailey Dumesnil, Andrew, Jayden & Caleb Hingst, Ella, Avery & Lewis Guterson and Carter, Miles & Nila Niblett, her oldest brother Bill Finkbiner, loving sister in-laws Marion Finkbiner & Angie Finkbiner as well as numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Holly was predeceased by her parents Albert & Dorothy Finkbiner and her brothers Mel, Ron, Vic and sister-in-law Lorraine.
Christmas in 1953 Rose-Marie Holly Finkbiner was born. She was the youngest of five and the only daughter to Al & Dot. She grew up, completed her schooling, married Dwight Hingst, had her children Chris, Melissa & Vanessa, divorced and found love again and remarried Kevan Guterson all in Drumheller.
Holly had a passion for continuing education after she returned to school as a mature student & realized she loved it! She took Secretarial Arts from Olds College and excelled! She was then promptly employed at the BCEC as an Education Administrator and Bookkeeper. She loved her job but due to a diagnosis of MS, Holly left in 1994. Despite her health challenges Holly returned to work at Image Crafters as a bookkeeper and then later promoted to Shift Supervisor. As Fred had said “Although your hands don’t work, your mind still does”. For everyone who knew her, Holly was as sharp as a tack.
She was our family historian, she remembered everything about everyone. She never missed a birthday, anniversary or any celebration. Her cards in the mail will be missed, especially her beloved Christmas letter of the yearly update of the Guterson house.
Holly married Kevan in March 1991. The two blended their families & lives together. There are many memories of camping, Rosebud Theatre, their little black dogs Speedy & Mr. Nibbs. Road trips to Disneyland & Las Vegas (cause Kevan wouldn’t fly) later turned to day trips, but mom loved them all the same.
Holly was an artist! She dabbled in many mediums from oil & watercolor painting to needlework and sewing. She was always eager to replace a zipper or patch a knee. Holly loved flowers! Her garden was always beautiful and when she could no longer tend to it herself Kevan was her hands & Holly became the Shift Supervisor again.
She was an active community member her entire life. She participated in multiple clubs such as the Alberta Woman’s Institute, MS Society and the first to support any fundraiser for her grandchildren.
Holly was a beloved friend to many and her sparkle & shimmer were infectious. She will be dearly missed. She had a special relationship with her caregivers whom she spent countless hours with. Our entire family is forever grateful for the compassionate, gentle & dedicated care you provided for her daily.
A special thank you to all the health care teams who helped Holly remain in her home for so many years. It meant the world to Holly & Kevan to be able to stay together.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Cretaceous Conference Centre, 1103 Highway 9 South, Drumheller, AB.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Holly’s memory to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation (HomeCare).
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.

Condolences to the family of Robert "Brent" Rowell

BrentRowell

ROWELL
Robert “Brent”

July 26, 1966 - November 25, 2023

Robert “Brent” Rowell of Morrin, Alberta passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023 after a lengthy battle with his health due to a motorcycle accident at the age of 57 years.
Brent was raised in Morrin, he took his early schooling in Morrin, moving to Drumheller Composite High School taking grades nine through twelve, graduating in 1985. Upon completion of high school, Brent took Recording Arts in Calgary and passed with high honours. Brent loved music, guitar, fossil hunting, sailing, skiing, camping, bike riding, and in his earlier days, cubs, and the iconic Camp Gordon.
Brent worked 17 seasons at the M.D. of Starland as a buggy operator. On June 21, 2008 Brent was in a motorcycle accident which left him a paraplegic, propelling him into another life called the Twilight Zone. He faced many challenges and disappointments on this journey right up to the day he passed.
Brent loved life, “Ride and Sail the Wind Son”. You were a gift, and we will treasure every memory of you.
Brent was predeceased by his grandparents Calvin and Jane Tupper, and Ralph and Vimy Rowell.
Brent leaves to mourn his dad and mom Wayne and Kathy of Morrin, sisters Lisa Rowell, Carrie (Ken) Rowe, nieces and nephews, Natasha Steward of Halifax, Britanie Steward of Cornation, Jesse Lavine, Kaden Row, Janessa Rowe all of Morrin, great uncle to Patrick, Lewis, Phoenix of Cornation, Scarlett Lavine of Morrin, Brent’s Aide Kristal of Rumsey, and a lifetime of friends.
A Celebration of Life for Brent will be held December 16, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. at the Morrin Community Hall. “Stories and Memories of Brent’s Life”.
Courtney-Winter's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.

Condolences to the family of Robin Peter Digby

RobinDigby

DIGBY
Robin Peter

January 1, 1961 - November 9, 2023

Natural Science Educator, Heritage Conservator, Craftsman.
Curious, vibrantly energetic, creative, ingenious, determined: Robin had a unique, independent way of viewing the world and
living in it. He inspired and motivated those he taught, mentored or collaborated with.
Robin was born in England and raised in Montreal, in a family of naturalists that tent-camped and explored North America every summer. As a young man he explored his way to the badlands of Alberta and the quiet village of East Coulee. Together with wife Linda, he crafted a life here that gave him mission and meaning to the end of his days.
Robin became a land-based science educator, co-creating with Linda endeavours for which they received professional recognition, especially Groundwork Natural Science Education and Dinosaur Country Science Camp. He later applied his passion for heritage conservation at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site and went on to restore heritage buildings across three provinces, becoming a noted as a pioneer in traditional repairs.
At home, Robin artfully restored their historic house and stewarded their riverside garden into a sanctuary for wild birds. In the kitchen he trialed exotic ingredients and developed new recipes. He treasured his children Ruth and Peter, taking them along on grand adventures, examining nearby landscapes and exploring distant environments.
Thank you, Robin, for the legacy you leave us.
Robin leaves his wife Linda; daughter Ruth (Nic), son Peter (Carolane), grandson Noah; sisters Susan (Frank), Claire (Robert), and Karen; nephews Chris, Daniel (January), Benn, and Michael Drysdale; and Linda’s loving family. He is predeceased by his parents, Peter and Violet Digby.
Many people supported Robin and our family in recent years, as he responded to cancer with stoic pragmatism and intense scientific curiosity. We thank Dr. Ezekiel Weis, Ocular Oncologist at the Southern Alberta Eye Center, for his years of exceptional care. We thank Dr. John Walker of the University of Alberta’s Cross Cancer Institute for his humanity. We are deeply grateful to the dedicated staff of Drumheller Paramedic and Home Care Teams, Palliative Care Nurse Jennifer Nagy and Home Care Nurse Kendal Suntjens. Their combined support, along with that of friends and family, allowed Robin to remain in his beloved home, comforted by views of nature right outside the window. Linda wishes to give special thanks to Robin’s sister Claire for her extraordinary care throughout his illness and in his final days.
Robin was a long-time donor to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. If you wish to honour him, a donation to NCC would be fitting.

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