Obits | DrumhellerMail - Page #9
07262024Fri
Last updateFri, 26 Jul 2024 12pm

Condolences to the family of Virginia Doreen Christianson

VirginiaChristianson

CHRISTIANSON
Virginia Doreen
(nee Morse)

April 16, 1938 - April 21, 2024

Virginia Doreen (Morse) Christianson was born April 16, 1938 in Hanna, Alberta and passed away April 21, 2024 in Stettler, Alberta just a few days past her 86th birthday.
Virginia was one of six children born to Emertine and Fred Morse. The family moved to Drumheller where Virginia received all of her schooling.
She married Chris Christianson in 1955 in Drumheller where they lived for a short time and then moved to Stettler. Chris worked for Gulf Oil and Virginia worked at Bloke’s Bakery and a local grocery store. They welcomed two sons, Cam who was born in Drumheller and Rory who was born in Stettler.
In 1971, Chris and Virginia, together with their son, Cam, opened Stettler Mobile Home Sales and sold mobile homes and holiday trailers.
In 1980 they were selling real estate under the Canada Trust franchise for approximately three years. In 1979, they became partners in the Heartlander Motel and purchased the Crusader Motel in 1981. From 1983 to 1989 they managed the Heartlander until their retirement.
They purchased a beautiful home on a golf course and enjoyed the warm weather and golfing in Goodyear, Arizona for 21 winters.
Before heading off to Arizona for the winter, Chris and Virginia took great pride in the Drumheller Dragons Junior “A” Hockey Club and volunteered their time to help out at their home games.
In 2010 they sold the Goodyear house and resided in Stettler full time. They moved into the new Points West Seniors Facility in September of 2013. Chris passed away in November of that year and Virginia resided there, with her two cats, Spunky and Shadow, until her passing.
Virginia greatly appreciated the help from her sister, Mary Beler. From helping with Chris in the later years, to being the driver to appointments, shopping or visiting family, Mary was always available to lend a helping hand. They enjoyed many “happy hours” after their excursions.
Virginia’s grandchildren were important to her and she enjoyed attending hockey games, ball games and concerts.
Virginia was always up for an adventure. Chris and Virginia enjoyed travelling and visited the Canary Islands, several times to Hawaii and Las Vegas, Cabo San Lucas and Barbados over the years.
Virginia is predeceased by her husband Chris; parents Emertine and Fred Morse; brother Ron Morse; sister Lavonna Hubers and her faithful cat Spunky.
She is survived by her sons Cam (Sharlene) Christianson of Drumheller, Alberta and Rory (Lana) Christianson of Stettler, Alberta; grandchildren: Brooke (Stephanie), Blair (Kylee), Crystal, Chelsy (Jodie), Rory Jr. (Veronica), Kendra (Jordan), Braden (Megan) and Rayna (Travis); all of her great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Beler, Joyce Carlson and Donna O’Connor and her beloved cat, Shadow.
Special thanks to the staff at Points West Senior’s Facility and Helios Wellness Centre for the wonderful care that Virginia received.
Memorial donations in Virginia’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, #306, 10430 – 61 Avenue, Edmonton,
Alberta, T6H 2J3. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium are entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please contact 403-742-3422.
To send condolences to the family, please visit www.stettlerfuneralhome.com.


Condolences to the family of Keith Douglas Johnson

KeithJohnson

JOHNSON
Keith Douglas

January 12, 1934 - Michichi, AB
- May 9, 2024 - Drumheller, AB

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Keith Johnson. Keith, son of Doug & Laura (Hubbel) Johnson, was born in Michichi at the home of his Uncle Fos & Aunt Mary Johnson. He was always proud to say that he was a true native son of Michichi. He grew up on the family farm located north of Michichi and attended school in Michichi through to grade eleven, taking his final year in Drumheller. While in Drumheller he lived at The Dorm where he made many new and life-long friends. Keith excelled at school and received the Governor General’s Award in Grade nine for the Drumheller School Division and placed second in overall marks in grade twelve in Drumheller. Keith began his farming career following his high school graduation in 1952 and retired from farming actively in 2013. Throughout those sixty plus years he endeavored to keep up with changes in Ag practices and commodities. He was one of the first in the area to use bin grain dryers and was happy to share his knowledge of this technology with his neighbors. Keith started his electrical career in the fall of 1961, working alongside Jim Smith for Frank Todd in Delia. He earned his journeyman status in 1966 and achieved his Master Electricians Certification in 1980. Keith met his life partner, Gloria Battle, the summer of 1958, and they were married on April 2, 1960, at Knox United Church in Drumheller. Their first home was in Michichi then moving to their farm located east of Michichi where they lived until moving to Drumheller in 2002. Keith’s interests & hobbies were many and varied. His sport of choice was baseball, which he played until the time that the teams started to disband in the nineteen sixties. He played hockey for the Michichi team as well as for the Hand Hill Broncs. He took a correspondence course in radio repair and enjoyed fixing radios for family & friends. Keith enjoyed woodworking, local & Alberta history, geology, hiking, reading, camping, wildlife, and bird watching. He was a founding member of the Michichi Fire Department and served over twenty years as Fire Chief. Keith served time as president of the Michichi Community Association and was always a willing volunteer for any community projects. He was a Past Master of the Hand Hill Masonic Lodge, Secretary Treasurer of Dack Memorial United Church in Michichi and was on the Official Board of Knox United Church, serving for a time as Chair of the Stewards. He was a Scout leader and a member of the C2000 Club in Delia. He enjoyed spending time as a volunteer “People Mover” at the Badlands Passion Play. Keith will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Gloria, daughters Laurie (Elden) Jaffray and Karen Tanke (Paul). His five grandchildren, Andrew Mason (Tanya), Lance Tanke, Steve Mason (Michelle), Natasha (Danny) St. Yves and Alexander Jaffray. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Wayne Battle, and his sister-in-law, Elsie Battle as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Louise and her husband Ron Drury, and Gloria’s four sisters, two brothers and their spouses. A Celebration of Keith’s life will be held at Knox United Church, May 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation, 351 - 9 Street NW, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y1 or Knox United Church, P.O. Box 583, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0
Courtney-Winters Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 403-823-2666.

Condolences to the family of Glen Uhrich

GlenUhrich

UHRICH
Glen

May 9, 2024

Glen Uhrich, 74, passed away peacefully with family at his side in Drumheller, May 9, 2024. Glen was born in Drumheller into a family of 9 siblings. Glen married Lucy, the love of his live in 1969 and enjoyed 55 years of love and respect. Glen is survived by his loving wife Lucy and their 2 children; Jody and Lisa (Shorty) Cross and his cherished granddaughter Paige. He will be missed by many extended family members and friends.
Glen’s work life had many facets including as an orderly, carpenter and finished his work career in the oil and gas industry where he retired in 2014. Glen was always there for anyone who asked for help or just needed support. He had so many “super powers”…he was wise, clever, funny…so funny. He was fiercely loyal and kind. Born in the valley, lived in the valley, loved the valley his entire life.
The family would like to thank Dr. Moshood, Dr. Rehan and the nursing staff at the Drumheller Health Centre for their care and compassion.
No service will be held.