Curtis George Vander Gaast, beloved husband of Amy (nee McCormick) and daddy to precious daughter Georgia, passed away suddenly at the age of 36 on Sunday, August 5, 2018 surrounded by loving family.
He is survived by his parents, George and Bev Vander Gaast, sisters Kristi (James) Mitchell and Amanda (Danny) Webster, brother Brian (Denica) Vander Gaast, and grandmother Hotty Vander Gaast. Parents-in-law Bob (Terry) McCormick and Donna (Glen) Campbell, sister-in-law Jennifer (Sean) O’Brien, brother-in-law Dale (Susan) McCormick, and grandmother-in-law, Ferne Lentz. Curtis will be cherished in the memories of his five nephews, five nieces, and extended family members. He is predeceased by his grandmother, Tina Bexte, grandfathers, Carl Johnson, Wiebe Vander Gaast, and Clem Bexte, and cousin Megan Kondor.
Curtis was born on May 2, 1982 in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was a loving husband, super-daddy, compassionate son, and caring brother. He was a hard worker and 13-year volunteer of the Taber Fire Department. He was a passionate Vancouver Canuck fan, avid outdoorsman, sports fanatic, and expert gamer. His boisterous laugh and dimpled smile were infectious to all and he was loved for his kind and gentle soul. Even in his death, Curtis is helping others as an organ donor, he will potentially save the lives of many people. Curtis never wavered from his love of family and God.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather in fellowship with the family on Friday, August 10, 2018 from 7-8 PM. A memorial service will be taking place on Saturday, August 11 at 1 PM. Events will be held at the Taber Christian Reformed Church, 3902 Heritage Drive, Taber, Alberta.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that any donations be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Arrangements coordinated by Evan J. Strong Funeral Services, Calgary, Alberta.
KEELER
It is with deep, deep sadness and broken hearts that we share that on August 1, 2018 God took the hand of our precious, precious mom, grandma, and great grandma, EILEEN MILDRED KEELER and she went to be with her loved ones in heaven. It is an extreme privilege and honour to know that we were chosen to be part of the life of such a special person. It is also with extreme gratefulness, and the only way that we can possibly be without her for a while, is knowing that she will now be at rest in God’s hands and has been happily greeted and reunited with her family, pets, and friends she so loved. In June and July, Grandma made an amazing recovery from pneumonia in the Lethbridge Hospital but was tired, and after struggling at home for a little more than a week, peacefully took God’s hand and was reunited with her best friend and little love, Trixie dog; her dear son Fred Keeler; husband Roy Chandler Keeler; her parents Fredrick and Margaret Sage, brothers Harvey (Jean) Sage and Norman Sage, and sister Birdene (Johnny) McConkney; parents-in-law William and Helen Keeler and their sons Alfred Keeler, David (Mary) Keeler, Art Keeler, Ernie Keeler, and Eric and Gordon Keeler who went to heaven as babies; and her dear Lord to whom she prayed nightly, who had prepared a beautiful, well-deserved mansion for our dear mom, grandma, and great grandma.
Grandma was born and grew up in Cabri, Saskatchewan with loving parents, two brothers and a sister. Upon graduation, she moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta where she completed her training to be a nurse and worked in the Medicine Hat Hospital. She married Roy Chandler Keeler and they raised their children on the Keeler farm north of Bow Island until moving to Bow Island when their children were young. Her husband Roy passed away in 1965 after a brief battle with cancer. Grandma then worked at the Pleasant View Lodge in Bow Island, where she worked for 25 years. In the year 2000, Grandma moved to Lethbridge where she resided with daughter Margaret.
Grandma most of all loved her family and the animals she had over the years. Grandma loved knitting for her family; her plants; watching families in the park behind her home; doing word search, reading Danielle Steele; and visiting family. Grandma loved to camp and travel, travelling mostly with family through Europe, across Canada and the US, including many visits to Disneyland in California, and Disney World, cruising to Alaska and the Caribbean; and to Hawaii, including cruising the islands. Other than family times, perhaps one of the greatest highlights of grandma’s life was doing the Queen Walk with the Queen in Calgary in 1989, when one of her granddaughters won an essay contest to meet the Queen. During the last 15 years, Grandma travelled to Victoria many times to visit family, and in the last seven years, enjoyed spending time at the condo she shared with daughter Margaret in Sidney B.C. During the past two years, Grandma spent a great deal of time in Calgary helping babysit her newest grandchild, as well as travelling to visit family and friends in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in either her new Red Equinox, or her little RV.
Left to remember and cherish memories of Grandma are her immediate and extended children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Norman Keeler (Darlene) daughters Nicole (Jeff Paulson) and Melanie; Gordon Keeler (Darla), son Chris (Tanya) children Heather and Zenon, son Joel (Lisa) children Raine and Daxon, daughter Tania (Jeff) Anderson and new baby on the way, and Darla’s daughter Bailee; Margaret Jenkins, daughter Brandi and son Callum and his father Jeff Hunter, daughter Lynsi (Scott Peake) daughter Sawyer and new baby girl on the way; Clifford (Wendy) Keeler, son Derek (Jodi) children Raya and Jaden; daughter Marci (Jared) Sweet, children Barrett and Charlee; daughter in-law Valerie Keeler, son Jeff and son Alex and his mother Megan Keeler; son Dean (Nicole) children Sidney and Layne; Diann Lorinczy (Brent Reid); son Rylee Lorinczy (Amanda) children Jace and Kai; son Chance Lorinczy (Jen) adopted daughter Destiny; son Tyrel Lorinczy (Jayde) daughter Marisa; Steven Reid (Heidi) daughters Sienna and Kennedy; and Brenden Reid.
Grandma also leaves others special to her: sister in-laws Jean Keeler and Daphne Keeler; niece Maxine (Lief) Jepson; Barb Maciever and Tom; June and Max at the condo; her Home Care workers; and many other family and friends who were privileged to have known Grandma over the years. Although Grandma never thought so, Grandma was indeed a very unique and special person. She was a very selfless person who held a lot of love in her heart for each and every member of her family, her animals and friends, and asked for so very little.
Always in our hearts Grandma,
Until we are together again.
We will always love you.
A Funeral Service will be held at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. with Canon James Robinson officiating.
Eileen will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Roy in Hillside Cemetery, Medicine Hat.
In memory of Grandma, grandma would be pleased donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Foundation, #200, 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5.
To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
SIMMONS
BRENDA LOUISE SIMMONS, NEE FEIST, passed away peacefully in Raymond on Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the age of 66 years.
Brenda was born November 11, 1951 and was the chosen daughter of Millie & John Feist.
Brenda was predeceased by her parents, John & Millie Feist, her brother, Harold (Marion) Vornbrock, two nephews, Leslie Jr. and Keith, sons of Leslie and Marion Vornbrock.
Left to share memories of Brenda are two brothers, Leslie (Marion) Vornbrock and Rick Feist of Milk River and sister-in-law, Marion (Harold – deceased) Vornbrock of Taber and good friend, Joanne Rolfe.
Brenda grew up in a family with three brothers, attended school in Milk River then spread her wings to Calgary, Ontario and Lethbridge. Health issues confined her to the Care Centre in Raymond and later to the new Good Samaritans facility there. In spite of it all, she maintained much independence, driving a mobile electric car or scooter all around Raymond.
Though her health was failing, she maintained her exceptional organization of important papers and records. Many people benefitted from her kind generosity.
Brenda was quick to speak her mind; her sharp tongue only softened by her outlandish sense of humour. Her banter and humour will be missed.
At her request, her ashes will rest on her father’s grave in Milk River during a Private Interment.
An Ice-Cream Social will be held in her memory at HERITAGE HALL, Main Street, Milk River, Alberta on Monday, August 13, 2018 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. All who knew Brenda are welcome to attend.
Thank-you to the Good Samaritans staff for their patience, kindness and loving care toward Brenda.
To send a condolence, please visit
http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Val Watland
1945 – 2018
Valerie Elona Watland, beloved wife of the late David Watland, passed away in Coaldale on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the age of 73 years.
Further information including service details will follow once arrangements have been finalized.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
WISKERKE
BRIANNA LEIGH WISKERKE, beloved daughter of Amanda & Sean Mainzer of Coaldale, passed away on Friday, August 3, 2018 at the age of 25 years.
Along with her loving parents, she is survived by her siblings, Triston, Jada and Addison, her father, Maurice Wiskerke and her siblings, Melissa and Evan. She is also survived by her grandparents as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was predeceased by her grandfather, Gordon Kroeker in 2008.
Brianna was born on January 22, 1993 in Coaldale. She was a young, headstrong lady who was also funny, witty and could make everyone laugh. She loved animals and she loved her family, especially her younger sisters. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Brianna’s Life will be held at the COALDALE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 1217 – 20 Avenue, Coaldale, AB on Saturday, August 11, 2018 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M. with a Memorial Tribute at 2:00 P.M.
In memory of Brianna, donations may be made to the YWCA Shelter, 604 – 8 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2K1.
To send a condolence, please visit
