
Obituaries -
We would like to extend our condolences to those in the community who have recently lost loved ones. If you Cannot Make It To a Funeral you can send A Condolence E-mail By Clicking on The Highlighted E-mail Link for Each Obituary.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13TH, 2026
HERBUT, Mary
MARY ELIZABETH (KASSAI) HERBUT 1941 ~ 2026
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Herbut of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Mr. Stan Herbut; beloved daughter of Julius and Lucy Kassai and devoted mother of Kim Herbut, passed away peacefully at Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the age of 84 years.
Mary was a registered nurse at the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital and she loved all animals but had a special place in her heart for cats.
At Mary’s request no formal service will be held. We just ask that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers and treasure those moments you shared.
For those who wish, memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to the Lethbridge Humane Society. Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
OLSEN, Erling
ERLING OLSEN JULY 10, 1933 ~ JUNE 8, 2026
Mr. Erling Olsen of Warner, beloved husband of Mrs. Hope Olsen, passed away at the Milk River Health Centre, at the age of 92 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed.
Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
ANDERSON
DOUGLAS “DOUG” KEITH ANDERSON, of Taber, formerly of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritans Linden View on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the age of 73 years.
Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed. To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
HELEN LOMAS 1935 ~ 2026
Mrs. Helen Lomas of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Mr. Ken Lomas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at St. Michael’s Palliative Care on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the age of 91 years.
Funeral arrangements to be announced when completed. Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
PRASKACH November 3, 1939 – June 10, 2026
PAUL PRASKACH, beloved husband of Mary Ann Praskach, of Picture Butte, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at the age of 86 years.
He was a devoted and loving father to Tammy Perlich and James (Crystie) Praskach, and a cherished grandfather to Claire and Calvin.
Paul spent his entire life doing what he loved most. Farming was more than a livelihood; it was his passion, his purpose, and a way of life.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Strank; the Heart Function Clinic, especially Dr. Roth, Shanda, and Colleen; Paul’s Home Care team, especially Maureen, Kaylen, and Ruth; and the staff at Picture Butte Pharmasave for their compassionate care and support.
Rest in peace, Paul. Your work here is done.
SMALL
It is with great sadness that the family of Julee Alice Small announces her passing at her home in Cardston on 16th of May 2026. Julee was the beloved Wife of Ron, and very cherished Mother of Jeff.
There will be a private memorial for Julee at a later date. Those wishing to remember Julee are invited to make a donation in her memory to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Diabetes Canada, or the Canadian Mental Health Association. To send a condolence please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca.
GAIL MICHENER 1946 ~ 2026
Gail Michener of Picture Butte, Alberta, passed away at home on 20 March 2026 at the age of 80 years. She was with her loving husband, Dan, and her beloved cats and dog until the end. Gail is survived by their son, Rory; daughter-in-law, Samantha; and granddaughter, Viaonna, of Onion Lake, Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her parents, Grace and Stoney Mitchell, and her brother, Tony, of Adelaide, South Australia.
Gail was born in England and grew up in South Australia. She was always charmed and fascinated by the natural world and decided to study biology at the University of Adelaide. Following graduation, she traveled to Canada, where she met Dan, and they pursued graduate studies in biology together at the University of Saskatchewan in Regina. Gail had never seen anything like a ground squirrel, and, discovering that there wasn’t much known about their biology, she embarked on a lifetime of investigation. After receiving her PhD, she and Dan spent two years teaching at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa. However, her ground squirrels were calling her, and she returned to the Canadian prairies and continued research on Richardson’s ground squirrels with a Killam Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Alberta before moving to southern Alberta.
Gail and Dan bought a farm near Picture Butte, and Gail got employment as a lab assistant in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Lethbridge. It was quickly realized that she possessed exceptional abilities in teaching and research, and she was soon awarded a university research fellowship, which was her stepping stone to a lifetime of teaching and research at the university. Gail became the go-to authority on the biology of Richardson’s ground squirrels (‘gophers’ to many, but woe to those who called them ‘gophers’ because Gail would deliver a lesson on why that was the wrong name!) and gave entertaining and informative talks to many groups, both professional and public. Check out her Public Professor presentation: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/research/public-professor-series-dr-gail-michener.
Gail attacked her wide-ranging interests with energy, earning awards for distinguished teaching and for excellence in research from the U. of L. Her love of dance led her to Scottish country dancing, where she quickly became an accredited teacher and, with her friend Fiona Miller, worked tirelessly to teach and organize Scottish dance events. Gail’s wit and knowledge were often on display, as when explaining octopus mating behavior to biology students or the difference between a spurtle and a sporran to the dancers. She would sometimes dress up as a bumblebee when teaching sociobiology. Everyone was amused and informed.
Gail traveled to Denmark numerous times to trace her father’s escape after he was shot down during WW2. Her tenacious research uncovered connections to numerous families and places in Denmark, and she organized 70th and 75th anniversary events to commemorate the crash and honor the fallen as described on her website https://shotdownindenmark.com/.
Gail loved the natural world, and she and Dan traveled extensively, especially in Australia, East Africa, and Latin America, mostly wildlife viewing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, or the Parkinson Association of Alberta.
Gail’s many friends, acquaintances, and admirers are invited to gather to honour and celebrate her life on Saturday, 27 June, from 2pm to 5pm in her home at 105027 Range Road 21-0, Lethbridge County. That is 5 km E of Picture Butte on Hwy 519 and 1 km S on 21-0.
Visitors can email Dan for directions and inquiries at michenerdan@gmail.com or phone 403-331-9177. Visit http://www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
DEROSIER
Allen Derosier passed away peacefully June 9, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, friendships, and adventures that will be cherished by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his wife Ruth, and was survived by his brother Jim, sister Debbie, and families.
Born on July 25, 1938, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Allen was raised in Burnaby. He was the son of Wilfred Derosier, a New Brunswick native who was fluent in both French and English, and Naomi Squair, who was born in Portland, Oregon, and retained her American citizenship throughout her life.
Allen pursued his education at the University of British Columbia before setting out to explore the world. His travels took him to India and then Australia, where he spent two years gaining experiences that reflected his adventurous spirit and curiosity about the world.
Known for his impeccable appearance, Allen was always dressed to the nines and carried himself with quiet confidence and style. Professionally, he worked as a project manager in Vancouver until Jim and Stan, founders of Canada Flooring, invited him to move to the Yukon around 1969–1970 to assist with their growing business.
The Yukon became an important chapter in Allen’s life. He developed a deep appreciation for the North and especially enjoyed fishing, a pastime that brought him countless hours of enjoyment and many treasured memories.
Around 1971, Allen met Ruth, who was working as a lab technician. From that time forward, they became devoted partners, sharing a strong and enduring bond. Together they enjoyed traveling, particularly their frequent visits to England, creating many happy memories over the years.
In 1986, Allen was diagnosed with throat cancer, while Ruth was also facing health challenges of her own. Together they navigated these difficult times with courage and determination.
In 1988, Allen and Ruth left Whitehorse and relocated to Calgary before eventually settling in Coaldale, Alberta. Allen remained active throughout his life and regularly worked out at the University of Lethbridge, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of many friends and fellow fitness enthusiasts.
Allen will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, strong work ethic, love of travel, passion for fishing, and unwavering devotion to Ruth. He touched the lives of many through his kindness, friendship, and genuine interest in others.
He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will live on in the stories shared, the lessons learned, and the many lives he enriched throughout his journey.
A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at a later date. To send condolences, please visit http://www.generationsfh.ca
WHITE,
Marlene WHITE
Marlene Heather White Age 69, of Halifax passed away peacefully April 30, 2026.
She is survived by her father Maurice E. White Halifax; sister Diane (Monte) Boylen Centreville, Kings County. Two cherished nephews, Luke (Brandi) Boylen Centreville and Ryan M. Boylen Lethbridge, Alberta.
All are welcome to a Memorial planned for June 13, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 210 Parkland Drive Halifax, Nova Scotia. Zoom ID: 829 4755 7778
