John was born in Smoky Lake, Alberta and passed away in Edmonton, Alberta at the Allen Gray Long Term Care Center, with his loving wife of 66 and a half years, Dorothy (Clipsham) Dwernychuk by his side.

He is survived by his three sons Dean, Dale (Bonnie), and Daren; his grandchildren Krista (Thomas), Patrick (Brittany), Shane, and Hayden; and his great-grandchildren Chase, Daisy, and Baylee.

John was predeceased by his parents Nick and Mary; brothers Willie (Mary Elaschuk) and Walter; and his sisters Kate (Max Bernhardt) and Stephania (John Kokotilo).

John is also survived by many nieces , nephews and cousins.

(A special Thank You to Jill, Lori, and Leslie.)

As John requested, there will be no service, just a private family gathering at a later date.

In Loving Memory

Jonathan Christopher Beleshko passed away peacefully at his home in Edmonton on March 11, 2022. Jon would have turned 34 years old on March 28th. Born to Nancy Brenneman and Ken Beleshko, Jon was the second child in the family after his sister Jenn.

Jon spent his early years growing up in the Millcreek neighbourhood and attended King Edward elementary school, where his artistic interests were visual art and music. He
became a member of the Dancing Elephants and Performing Peanuts in the afterschool program there – the beginning of his performance career. Jon graduated from the Victoria School of Performing Arts in 2006.

Jon was a kind and loving man with a beautiful smile and big brown eyes. He met and
became engaged to the beautiful Lisa Bonato and enjoyed travelling to her home in Australia in 2016.

Jon developed many talents during his life:

He became an accomplished musician and led indie-alternative music projects including Ursa Minor and Abruzzi Spur. The bands performed locally and recordings are on well-known streaming platforms. Jon played lead guitar and sang from his heart – “In a Box” tells of the struggles he endured.

Jon was an avid fly fisherman. He was never happier than when he had a beautiful brown trout, small mouth bass, Australian barramundi in his hands. Fishing fed his soul.

Jon was very athletic. He became one of the nomadic boys who roamed the streets in search of the perfect skateboard ramp. As a member of Young Life he trained at skateboard and snowboard camps. He was once captured by the Edmonton Journal doing a snowboard backflip over the full moon.

Jon chose a career in welding and during his training with the 488 Pipefitters Union, he became the Canadian apprentice champion. He achieved accreditation as a B-pressure welder, Red Seal.

Jon chased extreme weather phenomena with a passion. He was also an amateur
pyrotechnician and rocket launcher extraordinaire. Many stories can be told.

Jon struggled with mental health and addiction. He became a member of the AA
community and was a mentor to many of his friends. He finally succumbed to his struggle and sadly left us way too early. He will be sorely missed by his mother, Nancy Brenneman; father, Ken Beleshko (Czyndhi); sister, Jenn Engberg (Peter) and nephew, Dawson; half brother, Scott Gray; his aunt, Heather Brenneman; uncles David Brenneman (Dianne), Ron Brenneman (Jan), and Harry Beleshko; cousins, Kendall and Ferrell Beleshko; and many other relatives and friends.

Jon is at peace and with us in our hearts.

Celebration of Jon’s life will be held at Queen Mary Park Community Hall (10844 117 St NW) in Edmonton, on Friday, March 25, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Donations in Jon’s memory may be made to Moms Stop the Harm.

Lee MacDonald (Spot) of Beaumont, Alberta, formerly of Glen Nevis, Ontario passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 at the age of 65 years with his family by his side.

Left to mourn his loss is his loving wife and best friend of 40 years, Nuala Bell. Lee was the loving father of Steven (Leah) and Blake, and son of the late Donald William MacDonald and Isobel (Bella) MacKay. He was
predeceased by Sandy (Elaine), Mary O’Halloran (Allan), Joseph and Annie Laurie.

Lee will be sadly missed by his siblings, Ian (Marilyn), Karen, Dale (Marlene), Gerard (Debbie), Stuart (Louise), and his twin sister Jenny (Wilf). He will be fondly remembered by many in-laws, nieces and nephews, and many friends and colleagues from the oil
industry. Cremation has taken place, with a celebration of his life to be announced at a later date.

If so desired donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Diabetes Canada would be greatly appreciated by the family.

Cheryl Pearce, born January 30th, 1970 in Lacombe, Alberta passed away peacefully January 7th, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. Cheryl is survived by her loving partner Corry Bruce, two sons Devin Pearce (Angela) and Steven Bazowsky (Olivia), granddaughter Mia Bazowsky, her sisters Lacy Nedeljak, Shelley Fritsen, Krystal Pearce, Trish and Louise Beamish, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother and father.

Cheryl loved her family and was always searching for more to share her life with. She loved her pets Jak and Mr Bean. Cheryl had the most generous caring personality, she was always there if you  needed her. Her energy lit up the room. She was a truly amazing person even though she was battling multiple sclerosis for many years, she never let it bring her down. The world will be a little duller without her bright smile and giving heart. Cheryl was always looking to plan another family gathering, to meet her forever growing new family members as she found them. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers if you would like to make a donation to the MS society in her honour she would have appreciated it. A “Celebration of Life” is planned for the May long weekend,  details to come.

On Wednesday morning February 23, 2022, Mary Rachel Packman (nee Hill) passed away peacefully at the age of 98 years.

Mary is survived by her children: son John (Marlene) Packman; daughters Dee White (Jack Kamphorst) and Beth (Ken) Cherwinski; grandchildren Natanya (Kelly) Gunderson, Kimberley (Chris) Green, Brandy (Grant) Jegodtka, Nickolas Cherwinski, Barry (Christine)Hill, John Cherwinski, and Mary (Justin) Bernert and her great grandchildren Tristan Smith/Cherwinski, Ava Hill, Taylor and Morgan Green, Ashlyn and Cayden Gunderson, and Kristian and Chase Jegodtka. Mary is also survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy Hill, her son Jack (Diane) Hill and daughter Diane (Mike) Harris, and their respective families.

Known for her genuine interest in others, her curiosity and thirst for knowledge, love of travel, entertaining and lively conversation, Mary was a truly remarkable and genuinely refined woman. She treated everyone she met with a gentle kindness. Ultimately, Mary was known for her complete and undying love for her family. A love that was returned exponentially.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Barry Miles Packman, her parents Dr. J.T. Hill and Mrs. Isobel Hill, in-laws Colonel Hedley Packman and Mrs. Dorothy Packman, and her brothers Hugh, John and Jim Hill.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Aradi and the staff at Laurel Heights Seniors Residence and Care Centre who cared so compassionately for our beloved mother.

A private family service will be held on March 11, 2022, at 1:00PM at St. John The Evangelist Anglican Church, 11111-57 Ave, Edmonton.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. John Church or to a charity of one’s choice. Please check the St. John web site for the streamed service.

Bruce Weech Olson
February 26, 2022

Near the end of the First World War, newlyweds Clara Jane Weech and Theodore Olson came north into Alberta in one of the early waves of Mormon farmers who understood irrigation. They saw the potential wealth of farming sugar beets and grains. Today, east of Lethbridge, along the #4 Highway, stands a giant grain elevator at Wilson Siding near where Bruce Weech Olson was born on November 24, 1919.

Bruce’s first memory was from the summer he was three years old. He and his sister
huddled with their Mother while a terrifying hail storm ravaged all it touched,
smashing windows, destroying shingles, and killing poultry. Bruce often recalled that he did not feel fear, only his Mother’s praying calmly for strength to weather the calamity; an example which served him well over his long, eventful life.

Today, we recoil at the idea that a child of six or seven – no matter how tall nor how well built – should ever be pressed to do a man’s work. And yet, there, in the mid-1920’s was a man-child stocking sheaves. A crop duster flew over from the nearby Raymond Fair, where ride tickets were being sold for an impossible fee of $5.00 for a half-hour in
heaven. Bruce raised his arm into that blue, blue sky as a little plane approached, and as if the pilot could see into the future, he dipped his wings, returning a salute to the very young fellow harvesting in the field below.

Bruce was still a teenager when WWII broke out in Europe, when Canada joined the Allies, and when the Royal Canadian Air Force began a recruiting campaign in earnest. His medical and his quick reaction tests suggested that Bruce might realize his dream of flying, but it was not until July 1941 that he donned a uniform as RCAF Special Reserve Aircraftman 2nd Class. Before the year was out, he was reclassified as Leading Aircraftman, and only six months later in July 1942, B. W. Olson was promoted to Pilot Officer.

Bruce loved to regale his friends with stories of his early years in the Air Force. At the huge celebration of the centenary of the University of Alberta in 2008, Bruce enjoyed teasing that he had been a B.M.O.C., a Big Man On Campus, marching from Athabasca to the old Normal School in 1941 during his time in Initial Training School. Down south near High River, the RCAF had constructed a small hangar and a barracks in a corner of a freshly harvested farm field. Wheat stubble about eight inches high served as a sort of wide runway with a straw stack in the distance as a reference for keeping a Tiger Moth on a straight course. Evidently Bruce had the right stuff for his time; after a mere five hours of instruction, he soloed! Born to be a pilot, Bruce was on his way to Service Flying School in Saskatoon where he earned his Commission.

Pilot Officer Olson went on to instruct other young Commonwealth recruits, then to fly heavy bombers with acumen during WWII, and, long after, in 1967, to retire as Squadron Leader Olson, having served from bases across Canada; with his NATO transport squadron from England over North Africa and all of Western Europe; and with USAF at the Pentagon doing simulator research.

Bruce then had a second lengthy career with Public Works Canada building prairie post offices with his close friend Bob Cumming. Later, he enjoyed a few years as a farmer near Leduc before he retired to life in Devonshire in 2005, first in the Mews and later in the Assisted Living Manor where he resided until three weeks before his passing at St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital. Because he lived for so many years in Devonshire and
because staff and friends loved him and cared for him, Bruce is sure to be missed mightily, especially by our dearest friend and travelling buddy, Ethel Cumming.

Having lived to the grand age of 102 years, Bruce was pre-deceased by his parents, Clara and Theodore Olson and by all his siblings, including his baby sister Jane just last September. Bruce was pre-deceased by his wife of 66 years, June Olson, in 2007. They are
survived by four children: Penny Brown, Constance Haffner, Alexandria Cels, and Bruce Wayne Olson.

During all of his long life, Bruce loved to learn. He loved to learn about places and most especially about people. Bruce became a serious traveller for the last many years of his life, showing his passport in a very long list of cities and countries, including cruising to Alaska with his little sister Jane a couple of months before his 100th birthday. He liked to say that “So much of who you are is where you’ve been!” Conversations all through the dreary months of Covid limitations centered on how Bruce wanted to travel again to
enjoy the sun and sand of Hawaii where he enjoyed several Christmas house sitting gigs in the home of his Grand-Niece Fenny and her Evers family. He wanted to tramp across the Laidlaw Ranch next summer. He wanted to chow down on Asih’s cooking at Ted’s Big White House. But, sadly, Bruce has taken his last flight; he has gone Home.

Left to mourn his passing most keenly is Bruce’s dearest friend and helper, Joyce Henderson. His mantra of, “I love you, Joy!” must ever be a poignant echo in the minds of those who loved Bruce in his very senior years. A condolence note from a Niece said it best: “Bruce was such a regal, charismatic man who adored Aunt Joy in so many ways. Bruce looked at Aunt Joy in ways that most people can only wish to be looked at.” He loved, and he was loved.

Borrowing the words from pilot Magee’s poem, High Flight, Bruce Weech Olson “slipped the surly bonds of earth,” for the last time on February 26, 2022.

GROENINK, Elizabeth “Betty” Louise, (Nee: Nugent)

October 13, 1945 – February 5, 2022

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Betty Groenink (Tofield, AB) on Saturday, February 5th, 2022 at the age of 76 years.

Betty was predeceased by her parents Liline and William Nugent and son Stephen. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 59 years, Rick; children: Katherine (Steve),Angella (Jim), and Robbie; 8 grandchildren: Peter, Johnathon (Shannon), Nick (Alanna), Andrew, Serena, J.R., Aiden and Quinn; and one great grandchild, Joseph.

Betty will be missed by her dearest friends: Vivian Karpyshyn, her devoted friend since childhood and Marilyn Raynor, who shared her passion and adventures in quilting.

Betty was the oaktree of our family, keeping us connected and resolute in her love and support. All her children felt her fierce mama bear protective love. Her quest in family genealogy served to build a knowledge of our roots. Betty began her role as wife and mom at the tender age of 17 years; working full time while raising 4 children. It was her grit, courage, eternal curiosity, determination, solid inner compass, integrity and strong values that supported Betty in overcoming challenges in both life and health. For Betty, there was no giving up. Ever. Her passing has left us with broken hearts.

As an ongoing learner, her interests and passions were many: art, paper tole, sewing, gardening, crocheting, knitting, bread making, pet therapy and quilting. Her beautiful quilting creations are enjoyed by family, friends and the recipients of charity quilts created together by Betty and her quilting guild members. Betty attended the University of Alberta, particularly enjoying English Literature and Psychology. Betty’s love for animals was demonstrated in many adoptions of rescue cats and dogs, sewing dog beds for rescue organizations and donating to the SPCA and SCARS. Betty also helped others by volunteering at a food bank as well as bringing smiles to the faces of persons she visited in psychiatry wards, senior homes and the Providence Center infirmary with her therapy dog Marley.

The family is grateful to the doctors and caregivers of both the Cross Cancer Institute and Grey Nun’s Palliative Unit who cared for Betty with the utmost respect, grace and tenderness.

A simple celebration of life will be held in summer 2022. Memorial donations in honour of Betty can be made to SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society) or the SPCA.

Roses in Heaven

Lord, please pick a bunch for us. Place them in our mother’s arms and tell her they’re from us. Tell her we love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek, and hold her for awhile. Remembering her is easy, we do it every day, but there is an ache in our hearts that will never go away.
Author unknown.

After more than 38 years of marriage, it is with much sadness and disbelief that I announce the sudden passing of my husband, David James Bamber, on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 3:50 a.m. The only saving grace is that his soul is at rest with God.

David was born in Edmonton at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on May 11, 1946 to Edith Gwendolyn (nee Wiggins) and James Edward Bamber. David is survived by his wife, Gail Bamber (nee Millar). As the oldest of four siblings, David is survived by brother, Danny Bamber, sister, Bonnie Vandersteen (Garry), and sister-in-law, Holly Bamber (wife of brother Donald Bamber who passed away in 2014). He is also survived by his children, Evan Bamber (Heather) and Crystal Bamber as well as my children, Robert Martyn (Carissa) and Michele Hardie (Barry). They gave us seven beautiful grandchildren (from oldest to youngest): Krista Arnold, Matthew Hardie, Joshua Hardie, Shanna Martyn, Sophie Martyn, Olivia Gregory, and Jaxson Bamber.

David and I married on June 10, 1983 after a whirlwind, three-month courtship. (An interesting fact you may not have known was that David had dated only two women in his life and he married both.) After a week’s honeymoon in Banff, a place we both loved, we returned to our positions at the University of Alberta.

Early in our marriage, he introduced me to the winter sport of skidooing. I would ask, “Why would anyone want to go out in the dead of winter and suffer the cold?” “The key is to get the right clothing,” he said and, he was right, that is the key and I loved it. We went on the weekends to his mom and dad’s farm near Sangudo where we would be joined by the rest of the family (Donald and Holly, Bonnie and Garry and their two children, David and Sandra and, often, Evan and Crystal would join us). David loved the speed and power of the machine. I, on the other hand, hung on for dear life, not that I had to worry about falling off, David wasn’t reckless. Over the years, we would often reminisce about those wonderful times spent with the family.

In 2014, after researching on Kijiji for a year, David had found a used 2007, 36-foot Fleetwood Bounder, model 35E that became our “home away from home.” There were so many features that we loved in it. First and foremost, it had a Ford V10 (for those who knew him, David was a “Ford man”). It contained double slide-outs (on the driver side it was 27 feet long), seven-foot ceilings, a four-door refrigerator, a rear bathroom with plenty of counter space and cupboards, and a 42-inch enclosed shower with skylight. From the front of the motorhome to the back, there were no hallways, no wasted space. While we loved people to come and visit, we would always say: “It sleeps two, feeds four, and entertains six.”

From 2014 to 2019, we travelled down south for the winter and stayed three months at Havasu Falls RV Resort in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. David loved to drive the motorhome as it reminded him of driving a truck. We loved Havasu and the people we met. It’s like another world and we had to “pinch” ourselves on our good fortune to be able to escape the Alberta winters. On the way down, we would stay a couple of nights at Lake Mead, which was a few miles from Hoover Dam (his favourite place to visit). Our summers were spent at Banff, two weeks in June and two weeks in September. Those will always be great memories, great times.

To enjoy Alberta’s summer and to be closer to the family, last year we moved the motorhome to Camp n’ Class in Stony Plain and stayed June 1st to October 1st. We loved it so much that we left our unit on the same site for winter storage with the idea of going back next May 1st and staying, this time, for five months. David was looking so forward to that day…

Although David became a step-grandpa as early as 1992, it wasn’t until Crystal and Evan presented him with Olivia Grace Gregory (2013) and Jaxson James Melvin Bamber (2014), respectively, did he fully comprehend the feeling it was to be a grandpa and, was he proud! Over the years, gifts he gave to Jaxson and Olivia involved many hours of research on the computer. For example, this last Christmas, he decided Jaxson needed a new bike, something that wasn’t a hand-me-down or second hand. After many hours on the computer comparing bikes, he found the perfect one for Jaxson: a blue, 20-inch Raleigh. To ensure it was safe, he included a bell, which naturally was blue, a front headlight, and back reflector. Next it was Olivia’s turn. Olivia had mentioned to her mom that she would like something, like a wagon, to carry around her American Girl, “BeeBee.” So, David went to the Indigo website and, low-and-behold, there was a pink, remote-control sports car for the American Girl. It had working headlights, reverse lights, horn, plus doors that opened and closed, an adjustable rear-view mirror, and, of course, seatbelts for safety. I don’t know who was more excited, David or the kids.

Ever since he could remember, David only wanted to drive truck for a living and there were many trucks during his working life. Long-haul driving was not for him as it would involve being away from home. Starting out at Steele Brothers, he, as a lease-operator, drove a tandem truck. After Steele Brothers, he bought a Kenworth hauling cedar from BC to Edmonton. Next, he worked 10 years with three different hotshot companies as a lease-operator driving anything from a one-ton Ford (with rocket launchers) to a Freightliner with a 32-foot trailer. The biggest thrill of all was the rigging up of the trucks, right down to the finishing decals.

David was a true entrepreneur; he wasn’t afraid to take a risk. His first business was Bamber Cedar Products, started in 1970 and ended in 1977. At the time, he was hauling cedar from BC to Edmonton for a lumber company and decided he would continue to get the cedar from BC, but he would have his own company to sell it. He located a warehouse in the west end (off Stony Plain Road), purchased the necessary machinery, and developed a marketing plan. While it may not have succeeded as he had hoped, he learned from the experience. In 1984, he started Oil Country Hotshot. However, he found it was difficult to break into an already existing market with customers who had been working with their regular hotshot companies and, in 1986, he shut the business down. “Nothing tried, nothing ventured.”

Some last thoughts:

In grade 9, David was the top student in his class and received the second highest marks on his grade 9 exams for the County of Lac Ste. Anne.

He was blessed with a full head of hair which was groomed very carefully every day. His children knew they weren’t allowed to touch or mess with it.

The family called him “David” and he referred to himself to others as “Dave.”

This past year or so, David wanted to get healthier and, to achieve that end, he decided to get rid of some extra pounds he had “gathered” over the years. Most of his weight gain was due to being a truck driver and the erratic hours involved with driving a truck. This year, he was very proud to have achieved his goal of 50 pounds.

David possessed a wonderful sense of humor and was very quick witted. Crystal has followed in his footsteps.

In closing, what is it that I want you to take away regarding David as a man? It started as a boy of 12, when he went by himself to hear an evangelist speak at the Paramount Theatre. In 1969 he was baptized into Herbert Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God. While he left the church in 1983, he maintained and practiced the teachings of the church for the rest of his life.

David was a God-fearing man and lived his life accordingly. His faith mirrored his actions and his principles could not be compromised. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful or loving husband. He was my best friend and I will miss him more than he will ever know. However, I can rejoice in the fact that David is finally “home” and the struggles of this world are finally over.

Due to COVID-19, there will not be a funeral service. Cremation has taken place at Simply Cremations & Funeral Services. There is a plan, some time this year, to have a Celebration of Life for David.

If you so wish, donations can be made in David’s name to: WIN House, PO Box 20088, RPO Beverly, Edmonton, Alberta, T5W 5E6.

Barry Menary passed away January 24, 2022 at the age of 78 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Barry lived his life in accordance with Indigenous teachings. He attended many traditional ceremonies and was a sweatlodge holder and a pipe holder. Barry was also the first president of the First Nations Bank of Canada.

Barry was an avid sports enthusiast who loved camping, karate, archery, shooting, boating, fishing and hunting. He always welcomed friends and family to Alberta and would drive what he called the Tour of Alberta for miles to ensure everyone enjoyed their time, with his favourites being the Badlands and the Rocky Mountains. He loved having a coffee and a chat anywhere he went. Barry was a gifted storyteller and beloved mentor. He enjoyed learning as much as he enjoyed teaching. He will be missed by many friends and family.

On February 2, 2022, Donald Macnab died peacefully at home, exactly as he wished.

Donald will be dearly missed by his wife Susan, his children and their partners, Erin (Adam), Andreas (Alejandra) and Caitlin (Jeremy), as well as his grandchildren Ewan and Ellie. He was a cherished brother to his siblings Neil, Kathleen, and Colin, and their families, and is predeceased by his brother Jed, his mother Catherine, his father Donald and his first wife, Gisela Forchner. He is remembered by his siblings-in-law, Jörg, Siggi and their families in Germany, and Jerry, Larry and their families in the United States. His dear friends of many years grieve his passing as well, especially his “Edmonton family,” Dennis and Patricia Edney and their sons.

Donald was born in Dumbarton, Scotland, and grew up in Clydebank, Scotland. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast, and a PhD in Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. He moved to Edmonton in 1978, and in 1981 he helped build Psychometrics Canada. As a research psychologist, he designed and managed all psychometric and technical requirements of in-company test products and oversaw test development and psychometric activities. He retired from Psychometrics in 2014 as Director of Development.

Tough-minded and warm-hearted, Donald was deeply compassionate, generous, and loving. Incredibly loyal to his family and friends, you could always count on Donald to be there. His true love outside of family and friends was the beautiful game – soccer. He intensely disliked crowds, except when it meant seeing Scotland play or travelling to the European and World Cups. He was a prolific lover of books, and had the soul of an artist, pursuing photography, painting, and art collecting. He was curious about the world – he loved to travel, to learn and to engage with politics and the news.

In the past ten years of his life, Donald received extraordinary health care. We would like to express deep thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Cross Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Naveen Basappa, as well as his family physician Dr. Lee-Ann Jansma.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kidney Cancer Canada and the Alberta Cancer Foundation in support of the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. A gathering of family and friends will be held later this year to honour this very special man. Timor Omnis Abesto.