The family of Gerhard Leopold must sadly announce his passing on February 19, 2023, a few months short of his 70th birthday,
following a long and challenging health journey that Gerhard was continuously determined to overcome. Although a lifelong non-smoker, after a 10 year journey of worsening lung disease, Gerhard received a double lung transplant in August 2021. While his new lungs worked well, he had a complicated recovery with multiple infections and surgeries. After contracting COVID 19 at the end of 2022, his lungs deteriorated with several
infections leading eventually to lung failure.

Gerhard had an assortment of interests and hobbies that he was known for by friends and family, especially when he was physically able to pursue them during these last few years. Gerhard had lived in various parts of the world during his life: Austria as a small child, Montreal as an older child and young man, and then, upon completing his studies, Calgary & Edmonton during his career and recent retirement. He enjoyed travels to
various parts of Canada, the U.S., Europe as well as India and Israel more recently.

Gerhard leaves behind his loving wife Eileen and her daughter Leela Rasa, who Gerhard absolutely loved as if his own. Their love for him will only grow stronger with his absence.

Gerhard will also be dearly missed by his mother Emilie Leopold, his brother & sister-in-law Chris Leopold & Cindie Tam, all from Edmonton, Alberta. His father-in-law, John Galiger and Eileen’s siblings & their families, Ann O’Reilly, Catherine Brennen, Jeanne Barr, John Galiger, Jim Galiger, and Gerry Galiger, all from the U.S. will also miss him.

Other special relatives that also survive him include his aunt Henriette Bartl of Bowmanville, Ontario, and his aunt Magdalene Schreiner of Burgenland, Austria, as well as his cousins and their families.

Gerhard is predeceased by his father Paul Leopold, his uncle Arnold Bartl, his uncle Alfred Schreiner and his mother-in-law Catherine Galiger.

Eileen extends her heartfelt thanks to the medical teams that worked diligently over the last 2 years to improve his quality of life, in particular the following: The amazing University of Alberta Hospital Lung Transplant Team, and Inpatient Transplant Unit 3G2.

A private gathering for the immediate family will be held shortly. Per Gerhard’s wishes, upon his cremation, his ashes will be spread across various parts of the world that were close to his heart.

Donations can be made in Gerhard’s name to the following organizations: The University Hospital Foundation Lung Transplant Program or the Alberta Lung Breathing Space.

With heart-felt sadness, we wish to announce the passing of our father, Justin Gabriel Richards on Tuesday February 07, 2023.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 44 years in April of 2022. He will be missed by his children, Michael, Chris (Colleen), Judy and Dix, step-daughter Leslie (Randy Lund), step-son Joseph Carmichael (Erynn), grandchild Jesse Lund (Colleen Dancy) and great-grandchild Jax Lund, and the many nephews and nieces with whom he loved to correspond.

He has gone to be with his parents Albert and Violet, his sister, Mary, and brothers Bert and William (Everett). He will be missed by his family, relatives and many friends who will hold his memory close to their hearts.

Please join us for Justin’s Memorial Open House from 2:00pm until 5:00pm Saturday February 18th, at 12064 157 Avenue NW. North Park Village Condominiums. Bring your memories and feel free to share. Rest in peace, Dad.

Raymond Joseph Roberge (64) of Jarvie, Alberta, succumbed to cancer on December 17, 2022 after a nearly one year battle .

Ray is survived by his daughter Kara (Dean) Chapman, son Kory (Sara) Roberge, brothers, Lou (Anita) Roberge, Paul (Maria) Roberge and sisters, Anna (Lawrence) Nestrovich, Marion (Gary) Payette and Rita (Stefan) Roberge his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Ray loved the outdoors and always took the time to appreciate nature, spending the last 35 years creating his own Oasis right outside his back door and enjoyed sharing this space with family and friends.

The family will be holding an intimate BBQ in the Spring to Celebrate Ray’s life.

Elaine Kotow died peacefully at Grey Nuns Hospital on February 4, 2023 at the age of 81. She was born in High Prairie, AB to Lucy and Enoch Lundblad on August 25, 1941, and grew up in Valleyview, AB.

She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Florence, her
husband Robert (Bob) Kotow, and companion Tom. She is survived by her children, Trish Kotow (Mike Jones), Cindy Kirby (Kevin) and Gordon Kotow.

Elaine’s friendships endured—both new and old—lasting from her school days in Alberta to her retirement in Nanaimo. Elaine was part-owner of a group of family-owned
businesses specializing in building supplies and equipment rentals in Valleyview. She was active as a volunteer and member of several community groups, and served as a town councillor, figure-skating judge, and part-time ambulance driver throughout the years.

She retired to Nanaimo, BC in 1995 with Bob where she was active with Newcomers, Probus, bridge, volunteer work, and hosting gatherings in their beautiful back yard until she returned to Alberta in 2022. Elaine will always be remembered for hosting lively
parties during bonspiels in Valleyview, a lot of good times on the golf course, her
handwritten letters, and her love of road trips in her van and motorhome with her friends. She diligently maintained contact with her extended family in Canada, Norway, and Sweden, and will be missed by them all.

A service will be held later in Valleyview, AB. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Carol, who went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the morning of February 3, 2023 at the age of 77.

Carol was born on July 29th, 1945, as the youngest daughter of Robert and Katie Schultz and sister to Elmer and Joyce. Carol’s childhood was spent on the farm near Vegreville. She has also lived in Edmonton and Ryley AB, Prince George and Kelowna BC, Saskatoon SK and Pasadena CA.

Carol is survived by her loving husband Ed Zackaruk of 57 years, daughters Jeannette (Dennis) Evans, Nicole (Josh) Zackaruk-Caines, sister Joyce Schlender, grandchildren, Austin, Robert, Cooper, Katie, Harrison, sister in-law Jean Skeich, sister in-law Edna (Gene) Cozicar and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her beloved father and mother Robert and Katie Schultz, her brother Elmer Schultz, sister-in-law Lois Schultz, son Barry Barrett, mother-in-law Anne Zacharuk, sister-in-law Kathleen Yarmak and brother-in-law Otto Skeich.

The family wishes to thank the medical staff at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital for their care during the final days of Carol’s life.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will take place on February 18, 2:00 pm at Holden Emmanuel Evangelical Missionary Church,
located at 15110 Highway 626, County of Minburn, AB. Lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holden Emmanuel Evangelical Missionary Church (Box 213, Holden AB T0B 2C0), which was a special place to Carol.

Robert (Bob) Montague Meyer passed away suddenly January 13, 2023.

Predeceased by his parents, and sister in law, Bob leaves behind a daughter, son in law, grandchildren, spouse, brother, sister, nieces, nephews and a grand niece.

Bob was born August 21, 1946 in Regina, Saskatchewan to Monty and Cathey Meyer, the oldest of their three children. When Bob was a young man, Monty and Cathy sold all their belongings, purchased a sailboat and with their now almost grown children, sailed around the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas for two years before returning to Canada and resettling on the west coast. This adventure was often recalled fondly by Bob and sealed his love for traveling to warm climates.

Bob spent most of his working life as a caregiver for disabled adults. The impact he had on the individuals he cared for and their families was significant. Bob was a patient and fun loving father, always ready to spend time playing board games, biking, skiing or mini-golfing. Bob was also an avid golfer, and perhaps his only real disappointment in being a parent was that he couldn’t instill his love of the game in his daughter.
Bob’s good nature and sense of humor will be missed by his family, friends and
colleagues.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be planned at a later date.