Duffus, Shirley Beatrice (Parker)

Nov. 5, 1932 – Oct. 10, 2010

 

Shirley Duffus, beloved wife of Roy Duffus, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 10, 2010 in Strathmore, Alberta.  Shirley is also survived by daughters Carlene Last (Tim Start) and Lori Tytula (Myles Tytula), grandchildren Kelsey and Rheyanna Last and Michael and Adam Tytula, as well as her dog Freckles. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends including her sister Jessie Barry, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Allen and Carol Duffus, sister-in-law Betty Parker, several nieces and nephews, and dear friends Lauri Mannix and family.  Shirley was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and had a lifelong love of animals with a special affinity towards dogs.  Thank you to the staff of the Tom Baker Cancer Center, Foothills Hospital ICU, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Fanning and the staff (including Rita Sweere and the Palliative Care volunteers) of Strathmore Hospital.  Special thanks also to the compassionate healers that helped make Shirley’s last year of life more comfortable: Debbie Jasloski and her group, Catherine White, Roseanne deBeaudrap and Margara Ortiz.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in support of a non-profit organization whose therapies helped ease Shirley’s pain over the past months (make cheque payable to Carlene Last who will forward the funds) or to the Palliative Care Foundation at the Strathmore Hospital. Memorial Service at Lord of All Lutheran Church, 112 Lakeside Blvd., Strathmore, at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 15. Reception to follow. To send condolences, please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca.

 

Joe’s life came to a close on October 3, 2010.  Born in Earling, Iowa on December 3, 1922, he journeyed with his family to Rockyford, Canada at the age of seven, and grew to love farming on the farm his family established.  As a young adult he enlisted in the army during World War II and served overseas for three years.  Life began in earnest when he returned home. In 1949 he married Matilda Weisgerber and by 1953 they had purchased their own farm. Joe lived a full life. He was proudest of his 61 year marriage to his wife Tillie and their eight children: Allan, Marilyn, Donald, Gordon, Dorothy, Frances, Patricia and Joanne.    He welcomed to his family sons-in-law (Gerald Geeraert, Sandy Garriott, Rob McColl, Jim Clark and Ian Crichton) daughters-in-law (Jamie Koester and Darlene Koester) and twenty-one grandchildren.  He lived to attend the marriage of nine grandchildren and see the arrival of sixteen great grandchildren including three week old great grandson Taggart Joseph Koester.  Joe is also survived by his brother, Dick and his sister, Annie and numerous nieces and nephews. Family members that have preceded Joe in death include his parents, three brothers, three sisters, and an infant grandson, Kyle Garriott.  He was a humble man of few words, generous of spirit and never tired of a cribbage game with a two-bit bet.   He welcomed his grandchildren into this world by rubbing his rough hands over their baldheads. His face was unmistakable; sculpted into deep furrows by sun and wind and he was genetically responsible for our cheers to big ears.   When he retired from farming you could find him ankle deep in sawdust as he unearthed a creative side as a woodworker.  He was grateful to have belonged to the community of Rockyford and for the friendships that kept him active throughout his life. He served on town council and was a member of the local Knights of Columbus and Lions Club.  Although he will be greatly missed his legacy will be his quiet loyalty to his faith, family, friends, community and country.  His struggle in life over the past several years was clear to us all. He accepted with some indignation the medications and oxygen that kept him going.  He lived patiently in abiding faith for the end to come.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made directly to the Canadian Kidney Foundation (6007 – 1A St. SW, Calgary, T2H 0G5).  A prayer service will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Rockyford at 8:00 p.m.  He will be laid to rest on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. also at St Rita’s.  Father Wayne Poile celebrant. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.  To send condolences, please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca. WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements.  403-934-5666.

Feb. 6, 1922 - Aug. 30, 2010

 

Our beloved dad, grandpa and great grandpa passed away peacefully at the Strathmore Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. Doug left this world to go meet the Lord Jesus in heaven and his beautiful wife Marina (nee Van der Raadt) who predeceased him on March 21, 1977.  Doug never remarried after Marina left as she was the only woman he could ever give his heart and love as deeply as he did.  In the past two years Doug and his youngest daughter Lois joined part of his family in Alberta. In the last year of his life his daughter Linda (Laddie) opened their home to Doug. Doug is also remembered by his children John Hood-Fysh (Francey), Linda Pokornik (Laddie), Katy Watkins (Stuart) his youngest daughter Lois Fysh and his sister Betty Welgan (Ron). The grandchildren Cindy Blumhagen (Warren), Barb Bauer (Sean), Julie Lamacraft (Andrew), Jennifer Gregor (Mike), Tony Pokornik and Kyle Fysh are going to miss their grandpa and his stories. The great-grandchildren Brett, Braden, Alanna, Kaitlyn, and Hunter are also going to miss great grandpa’s endless humor and jokes as well as all his stories and history that he shared (and still wanted to share).  Doug was a WWII veteran and an avid amateur radio operator. His call signs were VE6 DOF, VA6 DOF and the much-loved VE4JP (Julia Papa).  Our dad, grandpa and great grandpa is now a silent key in heaven next to Marina. Doug will be cremated and then laid to rest next to his beloved Marina in Winnipeg.  A celebration of his life will be held in Strathmore where we can all say “88 Hugs & Kisses”. To send condolences please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca.  WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements.  403-934-5666.