saturday, july 23, 2016 lethbridge herald page - c2...

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 F Lethbridge Herald page - C2

HURLBURT, Kenneth E.1928 - 2016

Ken Hurlburt was born in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1928 to Hannah andOrval Hurlburt and grew up during the depression in Milk River. Nostranger to hard work, he was picking up odd jobs as early as sevenyears old, not for spending money, but to help his family get by.Through his teenage years, you could find him completely engaged andworking wherever and whenever he could at the local stockyards. Theseed for his life’s work was planted. After a year working with a crew surveying the Mackenzie Highway inthe North West Territories, Ken headed back to Lethbridge hoping topick up the cattle business where he left off. In the forties, the conceptof selling livestock by auction was gaining popularity and the drovers’era of private sales was coming to an end. Ken and a partner formedtheir own cattle buying company, bought an old truck and worked thecountry, buying one cow at a time. It was about this time, on a blind date arranged by her brother,(auctioneer Ted Newby) that Ken met a dark haired beauty namedReNée Newby, daughter of auctioneer Jack Newby and his wife Cora.

Ken loved to say “I met her on the 25th of May, we were engaged on the 25th of June and married on the 5th ofSeptember. I knew she was perfect.” This September would have marked Ken and ReNée’s 67th weddinganniversary. In 1952 foot and mouth disease struck, and the cattle industry was in crisis. Determined, Ken set his sights on anew career, and with a $500 loan, a wife and two babies, he enrolled in auction school at Western College ofAuctioneering in Billings, Montana. He was honoured to become the first Canadian appointed to the teaching staffof that college. Ken and ReNée settled in Lethbridge where their family grew to include six children: Jody (Ted Thaell), Brant(Patty), Darcee (Bruce Robertson), Kim (Kim Tillsley), Thane (Joy) and Heath (Dallas). Word of Ken’s talent spread quickly. He sold for Calgary Public Stockyards Mondays through Thursdays, forPincher Creek Community Auctions on Fridays and Medicine Hat and Walsh on Saturdays. He was asked toconsult with the St. Boniface, Manitoba Stockyards which at that time, was the largest livestock sales yard in theBritish Commonwealth. They operated six concurrent sales rings and to help turn their new but struggling auctionfacilities around, Ken commuted by train from Alberta for two years. Ken pioneered the concept of selling land by auction in Alberta; over 50 years ago he sold 26 sections of landnear Foremost by auction. He sold such prestigious sales as the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto from 1958-1961, North America’s Largest BullSale in Calgary, and the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver where he sold the record high priced Angus bullat $10,000 for E.P. Taylor. Along with partners, Ken opened Fort Macleod Auction Market Ltd. in 1960, the Highwood Livestock Auction inHigh River in 1984 and Pincher Creek and Cranbrook Auction Markets in 1993. He served as President of the Fort Macleod Rodeo Association from 1960-1966, President of Alberta AuctionMarkets from 1963-1965, served on the Livestock Marketing (International) Association for three terms, was aCalgary Stampede Lifetime Alumnus, and judged both the World Auctioneers’ and the Calgary StampedeAuctioneers’ Championships. Ken was mayor of Fort Macleod for four years, and was twice elected Progressive Conservative Member ofParliament from 1972-1979. He was named Honorary Chief Ermine Horn of the Piikani Nation’s Black Horse Society. In 2012, Ken was inducted into the Livestock Marketing Association of Canada’s Hall of Fame. He was also the proud recipient of numerous medals for outstanding community service for ‘people whoseactions have benefited their fellow Canadians’:1967 Alberta Achievement Award1974 RCMP Scroll1977 Queen’s 25th Anniversary Medal1992 Commemorative Medal 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada,2005 Alberta Centennial Medal2003 Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal2012 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Ken and ReNée moved their family to Fort Macleod in the sixties - the home of the family ranch - where he wasalways humbled by where their hard work and devotion had brought them. He was a very grateful man; alwayssingling out ReNée, awed by her steadfastness and faith in him. Ken Hurlburt was one of those people who made a difference - to his family, to his profession and to his country .He was highly skilled at what he did; he had a great affection for people, an engaging sense of humour and aninfectious laugh. His diplomatic and marketing skills were exemplary. He was a visionary; dedicated and determined. He had a legendary work ethic and his accomplishments arerivalled only by the incredible volume of loving memories held forever in the hearts of his six children, theirhusbands and wives, twenty grandchildren, their husbands and wives and twenty-seven great grandchildren. Ken was predeceased by his older brother Tom Hurlburt of Sacramento, California and is also survived by his twinsister Kathryn Hurlburt of Fort Macleod. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Church, 220 - 20 Street, Fort Macleod, Alberta on Monday July25, at 2:00 pm, with a reception to follow at the Fort Macleod Auction Market, 813 - 14 Street, Fort Macleod,Alberta. Condolences may be forwarded to leslie@hurlburtrock.com The Hurlburt Family would like to express their great appreciation to Dr. Steven Beekman for his gentle andcompassionate approach to Ken’s care. They also extend a warm thank you to the staff at Fort MacleodExtendicare whose daily kindnesses were always noticed and made every day just a little brighter. Memorials in Ken’s name shall be gratefully accepted by the Fort Macleod HandiBus Society, PO Box 881, FortMacleod, Alberta T0L 0Z0, or a charity of your choice.

Obituaries 1160

Obituaries 1160

Obituaries 1160

TRUSCOTT1934-2016

GERALD “JERRY” EDMUNDTRUSCOTT, of Lethbridge, belovedhusband of Margaret Truscott, passedaway at the St. Michael’s HealthCentre – Palliative Care Unit, onMonday, July 18th, 2016 at the age of82 years. Along with his wife Marg, he isl o v i n g l y r e m e m b e r e d b y h i sstepdaughter Leslie (Jim) Lyon andstepson Brent Killins; grandchildren,Kyle Morrice, Courtney McDonald,Cassidy Lyon, Kaylee Moline (JoshDay Chie f ) and Cooper Lyon;great-grandson R.J. Moline; sisterJoyce "Dode" (Ken) Cunningham andbrother Ken (Nancy) Truscott; nieces,

Laurie (Tony) Carpenter, Lana Tate, Cynthia (Lonne) Culhane, Kristin(Kurt) Phippen and Sienna Aeillo; nephews, Jason Aeillo and CameronSorensen (Brigette Fidler). Jerry was also known as "Uncle Jerry" to theElmore family. He was predeceased by his parents, George Edmund Truscott andDorothy (nee Craig) Truscott, stepmother Ruby (Cox) Truscott and his"ant", Ethel Truscott as well as his very good friends, nephew-in-law DougTate and brother-in-law Don Watson. Jerry was born on April 22, 1934 at St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, SK.He lived in Tessier, SK until he graduated. Jerry obtained his B of Ed fromthe U of S while working as a surveyor. He taught school at Indian Head,Yorkton and Saskatoon, SK before moving to Lethbridge in 1963. Jerrytaught math at LCI and WCHS over the next 26 years. In 1964, he earnedhis private pilot's license and was still hoping to skydive this year. Jerry and Marg met at a Lethbridge Bronco hockey game and later foundout it was "a setup" by mutual friends. He always joked that they all stillremained friends. Jerry and Marg married in 1978 and over many years,were active supporters of the Bronco/Hurricane teams as season ticketand shareholders. They enjoyed playing crib, Mexican Train and Heartswhen they got together with Jerry's dad, sister and brother. Jerry and Marghad good years of travelling, spending time with friends and were happyjust hanging out together at home; still holding hands after over 37 yearstogether. Jerry had a great interest in WWI and WWII history and travelled toEurope several times. He also loved collecting, telling "Jerry" jokes,reading, cars, beer, peanut butter and apple pie. His favourite song was"Imagine" by John Lennon. He was a diehard Rider fan for over 50 yearsand a proud owner of "One Class A Share". His greatest joy was watching his grandchildren grow up. Jerry cheeredthem on in all of their endeavours and encouraged them to get a goodeducation. He taught them to play crib and they all tried their best to beatthe "master". His great-grandson RJ, brought him much joy and he lovedRJ's drawings. Jerry was a big man with a big voice and heart. He faced cancer with apositive attitude and this carried over to the Palliative Care Unit, where hecontinued to be his cheerful, joking self. He appreciated the staff andcalled them all by their first names. Thank you to all the doctors and caretakers who were involved in Jerry'scare. You were exceptional. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Colin Walsh for yourdaily visits with Jerry; they brought him so much comfort. A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be announced at a laterdate. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Jerry, donations are gratefullyaccepted to the St. Michael's Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, 1400-9thAve South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V5.

To send a condolence, please visitwww.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

MOWERS Vilo LAREE Mowers (Adams), ofCoaldale passed away peacefully atthe St. Michaels Palliative CareCentre on Sunday July 17, 2016 atthe age of 75 years. She is lovingly remembered by herchildren: Stephen (Debra) Mowers ofMedicine Hat and AvaMay (Bill)Marlow of Airdrie. She is alsosurvived by her grandchildren Justin(Danielle) Mowers, Jolayne (Nikolas)Miller; Jodi Mowers; as well asLogan and Layne Marlow. Specialextended family near and far; manyold and new friends, who were verynear and dear to her, and so manywonderful memories of years gone

by were reminisced heartfully with many smiles and laughter over the pastshort months since her illness. LaRee was born on February 27, 1941 in Lethbridge Alberta to LaVor andMildred Adams. As a young girl her love of music with voice lessons, piano and organstudies became one of her lifelong defining characteristics. In 1961 LaRee met her husband Ray Mowers working at CanadaPackers and in the fall of 1966 Ray and LaRee took over the family grainfarm in Glenwood, Alberta. During the next 24 years; raising a family in aclose knit farming/ranching community gave LaRee much pride andgratitude. Gardening, with huge vegetable crops; vast and varied flowerbeds; and involvement within the community (contributing to theGlenwood Gleanings paper) as well as bus driving and her work at theUnited Irrigation District also culminated in her contributions to the historybook of this institution; were tirelessly completed with pride. Again hermusical contributions were demonstrated as one of the founding membersof the “Harmonettes’ a local singing group who quickly became well knownfor the harmonies, laughter, and beautiful sounds within the communityover the many years. In 1990 LaRee and Ray retired to Coaldale where her gardening, music,and involvement of helping other’s continued. The summers were spent atSpider Lake Springs on Vancouver Island; ocean fishing, berry picking andcanning for SO many of us to enjoy the labor of love these activitiesbrought to LaRee – along with tending the ‘community gardens’ at theresort. In the winter LaRee’s gift to ensure that many close cousins,friends, and neighbors were cared for in their ‘latter years’ was a loving giftshe maintained as a priority, no matter the need. Her love for hergrandchildren was always evident; ensuring that she never missed a swimmeet, hockey or baseball game, recital, lake and boating day, graduationor birthday; no matter where she had to travel to see any one of her fivegrandchildren was a blessing each of them will cherish. After Rays passing in 2001, LaRee became even more involved with herchurch; a steadfast member of the choir, learning the handbells andvolunteering her time tirelessly with the ‘kitchen gang’ and ‘decoratinggroup’; filled her days. LaRee’s circle of friends both old and new: farm,island, and city – knew of her hard work and dedication to “serving” allthose that she could leaving a positive reflection for all of us to cherish. In lieu of flowers, LaRee and her family request your consideration of adonation to the Canadian Cancer Society. The family would like to sincerely thank ALL of the staff and care givers atthe St. Michael's Palliative Care Centre. Your respect, time, and caringnature was truly a blessing in the few short months we got to know you all,and the care you provided to LaRee, so very much appreciated. A celebration of LaRee's life will be held at the SOUTHMINSTER UNITEDCHURCH, 1011 - 4th Ave. South, Lethbridge, on Tuesday, July 26th at11:00 A.M., with Rev. James Grunden officiating. A luncheon will be heldimmediately after.

To send a condolence, please visitwww.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

DREW ANTHONY WOOLF It is with great sadness thatwe inform you of DrewAnthony Woolf's passing.He was born to A. BryceWoolf and Patricia J. HaniflWoolf in Provo, Utah onMarch 15, 1973. He died onJuly 12, 2016. He leaves hiswife of 17 years, Milka(Billa) Singha, his brotherWade Matthew Woolf, hissister Tricia Lee Woolf, herhusband Charles TravisBlood, Drew's twin nieceand nephew, Charlee andBrolin, his auntie Carol

Desjarlais and her children. Drew was predeceased by his grandparentsAndrew B. Woolf, Norma G. Smith Woolf, Frank J. Hanifl and Thelma F.Felton Hanifl. Drew's younger years were spent in Lethbridge until grade eight. His familythen moved to Cardston, Alberta. He played football for Cardston HighSchool. They won the provincial championship in his senior year. He alsoplayed minor hockey in Cardston and junior hockey with the Kainai GoldenChiefs. Along with his brother, Wade, he played American Legion Baseballfor the Fort Macleod Royals. Drew graduated in 1991. He then attended North Dakota State University-Bottineau on a baseball scholarship. He also played hockey there for twoyears. Later he attended NDSU Fargo where he played hockey for theBison. After university he was selected to coach the NDSU Women'sHockey team. The team improved greatly under his hockey knowledge andcoaching skills. He then continued to coach minor hockey in Fargo. In all, hecoached for 17 years and it was his great passion. Drew loved and is loved by his Woolf and Singha families. He enjoyedspending time with all his nieces and nephews. He was hard working, had aquiet strength and determination to overcome his health issues. He was agood man that made loyal friends and lived life to the fullest with optimism.His interests included his work, fishing, technology, chess, and sciencefiction. He read books by Stephen Hawking. He enjoyed barbecuing,fireworks and the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was proudof his ancestral heritage. We believe he is already fishing with Grandpa! Wewill miss him and love him forever.In lieu of a funeral/memorial service - condolences, photos, and stories can

be shared with family by emailing to: drewsmemorial@hotmail.com