Obituaries

Mrs. Jessie (Jay) Eleanor Richardson, passed away at 92 years of age on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., in Innisfail Hospital, Innisfail, Ab. Jay, widow of Dan Richardson, was predeceased by her parents, James and Elizabeth Hogg, and her twin sister Mary Logan. Jay will be missed by her children: Bonnie (Carman) Watts, Diana (Larry) Danberger, Jim (Lil) Richardson, and Danny (Irene) Richardson. Grandchildren: Christine (Nathan) Freeman, Ryan Jeffers, Robyne Kennedy & Tyler Newton, Dave (April) Richardson, Craig (Chanthy) Richardson, Karisa Richardson, Asher Watts, Ian Watts, Austin Richardson, and 6 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Elnora Community Centre, Elnora, Ab. Donations in Jay’s memory may be made to the Elnora Cemetery Society or the Elnora Museum. Kneehill Funeral Services, Trochu/Three Hills, entrusted with arrangements. 403-443-5111. 1ja10c

Charlie I. Rish was born in 1939 to Fred and Freda Rish in Johnstown, PA . He was the second of four children. Charlie enjoyed spending time outdoors, and at the age of 12, while building a tree fort, he fell from the tree and severely broke his right ankle which left him with a limp for the rest of his life. He never let it slow him down much and continued to live a very active life of physical work, hiking, hunting, camping and more. After finishing high school Charlie made the decision to attend Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, AB. He never imagined he would spend the rest of his life in this small prairie town, but that’s exactly what happened. Charlie joined the PBI staff after graduation and worked on the farm. It was at this time that he began to notice another single staff member by the name of Sara Goertzen. They were married on June 19, 1965, and had 4 children. Soon Charlie began to experience serious back pain, and decided to have surgery in hopes of finding relief, and he never regretted it. This resulted in him moving from the back-breaking work of the farm into the painting department. He went to Tech school in Edmonton and completed his journeyman’s ticket for painting & decorating in 1976. He continued in the painting department at Prairie until his retirement in 2004. One of Charlie’s most well-known sayings was, “I’m putting paint where it ain’t for the saints”. In later years he also did security and volunteered cutting grass and shoveling snow around the school property. Charlie also joined with a friend and turned his hobby of photography into a small business to earn some extra money for his young and growing family. Many people in the Three Hills area had their wedding pictures taken by Charlie. The photography business, along with taking on side jobs painting people’s homes, caused him to become well-known in the community. His honesty, friendliness and dependability became trademarks by which he was known. He was very committed in his service to this community as a volunteer firefighter. Starting first with PBI’s crew he later transitioned to the Three Hills Fire Department and was involved in many fire and rescue operations, finally retiring at the age of 70. Charlie considered everything he did, whether working or serving as an usher at Prairie Tabernacle Congregation, to be service for God, and always served faithfully as to the Lord. Charlie passed down his love of the outdoors, and very early on he taught his children how to hunt, fish and camp. Outdoor activities were something the entire family enjoyed together, and are some of their fondest memories. Following Sara’s passing in 2009, Charlie eventually left the home on sixth avenue north that he had spent over forty years in, and moved into the Golden Hills Lodge. He lived there until his dementia required that he have more care, and he ended up moving into Continuing Care in the Three Hills hospital in December 2022. On December 16, 2023, Charlie breathed his last breath on this earth and passed into Glory. Charlie is survived by his children and grandchildren: Karen and husband Dan Culmer (Katrina, Breanna and husband Daniel (great-grandchildren Theo and Kyo), Corissa, Collin and wife Paola, Jessica and Nathan), Darren and wife Boni (Kelsey and husband Justin, and Cara), Sharon, Garron and wife Amy (Journey and Solomon); his brother Leonard and wife Gloria, his sister Eileen Doran, as well as in-laws, nieces, nephews and many friends. Charlie is predeceased by his parents, his dear wife, his sister Carol and her husband Dave Walker, his brother-in-law Rod Doran, along with other relatives and a host of friends.

My husband, our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Earl Leroy Reimer, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2023, at the Westview Care Community, Linden, reaching the age of 90 years. Some of the family was singing “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” at his bedside when he passed. Leroy was born in Linden, Alberta, to Anthony and Caroline Reimer on May 1, 1933, and was raised in the area with his 3 brothers and 3 sisters. He attended the Fertile Valley School all of his eight school years. At 15 years old Leroy started working in sawmills at both Spray Lakes and Crooked Creek. He then worked in construction and started Master Woodcraft in Linden. He raised chickens for 38 years, being one of the first to do so in Alberta. He also enjoyed grain farming and gardening. The family remembers a large well-watered garden with rarely a weed in it, and an abundance of potatoes. Leroy met his future wife, Marianne Penner, when she came from Manitoba to stay with her cousins, and then started working at the Linden Nursing Home. They got engaged in June but had to wait until after the harvest that year, so they were married in Greenland, Manitoba, on October 21, 1955. They lived in several places for 2 years before settling on the home place 1 mile north of Linden. There they raised their family of 5 sons and 2 daughters. The many fun games of baseball played on the front lawn made for good memories. They retired and moved to Linden, living there for 18 years, then moved to Westview Care Community for the last 7 years. He became a Christian in his early teens, and loved his church, attending church regularly and was always on time. He served as a song leader for almost 50 years. His family has many good memories of him singing with them as well as quartet singing with friends. He passed on to his children and grandchildren a legacy of singing. Some other important things he enjoyed included disaster relief projects, often being the first onsite locally, with his boys in tow. Other projects included building fences after grass fires in Montana, and cleanup after fire or flood in BC. He owned a water truck prior to the fire department starting in Linden and loved helping the community with fire prevention. Dad and Mom loved traveling, and especially enjoyed trips to Brazil to visit Mom’s family. Those who will miss him dearly are his wife, Marianne, of Linden; children, Lester and Flora, Linden; Shirley and Darcy Toews, Abbotsford, BC, Shauna and Bob Boese, Earl and Caroline, Linden; Lorne and Staphene, Hythe, AB; Dalin and Shirley, and Gene and VJ, Linden; 23 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Audrey Toews, Pincher Creek, AB and Darlene Reimer, Linden; 2 sisters-in-law, Diane Reimer, Linden, and Ruby and John Hendrickson; as well as Marianne’s family. Leroy is predeceased by his parents, infant daughter Veronica Lynn, 3 brothers, and 1 sister. The family would like to thank the Westview Care Community staff for all the care Leroy received while a resident there. Services were held Mon., January 1, 2024 at Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Linden. Leroy was laid to rest at the Linden Cemetery. To send condolences to the family, visit www.sunsetltd.ca

Josephine Schartner Regehr, our Mother, Gramma, and great Gramma; was born to John and Mary Schartner at Three Hills, AB on April 11, 1930. She departed this life on December 29, 2023, at Westview Care Community, with her children singing her home. Mom experienced many moves throughout her childhood in the Linden area, with her 6 sisters and 2 brothers. She moved with her folks to Abbotsford in her later teens. Upon confession of her faith, she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, December 19, 1943. She always cherished her relationship with Jesus. On December 14, 1949, she was married to our Dad, Abe Regehr, in a double wedding ceremony together with her sister Nettie and Gordon Dueck, in Abbotsford, BC. Their home was blessed with 5 sons and 3 daughters. Mom was devoted to helping our Dad on the farm, or in whatever endeavor he undertook. She was truly Dad’s Jo-of-all-trades. No job was too hard for her; raising 8 children, cooking for hired hands, egg grading, making veriniki and angel food cakes, teaching music lessons, or writing songs, to making bargello quilts for her children and grandchildren. Mom especially loved her 16 grandsons and 16 granddaughters unconditionally. Every in-law became a beloved family member. In 1978, our move to Swanson gave Mom freedom from chores and gave her time to build, plan, and feed travelers, newcomers, and neighbors. In 1988, our parents were suddenly empty nesters, freeing them to travel. They served time in Ukraine and the Albany, GE rebuilding unit. Dad passed away in 2006, leaving mom very lonely. 17 months before his death we moved them back to Linden. She was so blessed to spend quality time with 5 of her sisters, all living within a block of each other. In 2017, we knew mom needed more care, so we moved her to Westview Suites assisted living. In June of 2020, Paul’s took her into their home for 5 months until there was room for her in Westview long term care. With Mom’s advanced dementia we realized she needed more care and attention than Yvonne alone could give her, so Diane Reimer and granddaughter Rena became her compassionate caregivers. We are indebted to them for their loving care. Mom longed to go to heaven, and we all rejoice that she is free. She leaves behind: Yvonne Ratzlaff, Leaora Regehr, Paul & Wilma Regehr, Les & Brenda Regehr, Donna & Phil Koehn, Doug & Viona Regehr, Wayne & Bonnie Regehr, and Kari-Ann & John Boeckner; 30 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; 1 brother-in-law Walt Regehr; and 2 sisters-in-law Vera Schartner and Linda Regehr. Those preceding her in death are her parents, siblings, husband, son Roger, son-in-law Ches, 2 grandsons, 1 great-granddaughter, and 1 great-grandson. Services were held Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Linden. Josephine was laid to rest at the Linden Cemetery. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.sunsetltd.ca