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Family visits in vogue during Christmas break

Family members visit in great quantities. A busy Christmas season saw

Family members visit in great quantities.

A busy Christmas season saw family and friends come together to celebrate.

Beatrice Selinger enjoyed a visit from her granddaughter, Tracey Chevron of New York, as well as daughters Michelle of Stettler and Elaine of Hanna, sister Clara Bitzer and Ken labaquer.

Helen Heier welcomed 27 family members, starting the Thursday before Christmas and carrying through the entire week.

Barb and Vac Carey hosted a family dinner with daughter Joanna and family; Taylor, Victoria and Jonah; son Wesley and his son Lincoln.

Percy and Paulette Heer seated 11 around their Christmas table with daughter Christy and Curtis, Matthew, Clayton and Josie; son John and Jewel, Hannah and Bailey; mother Iona Berg and close friend Jeanne Beisel.

Twenty family members were at Rosemary and Vern Paynes’ place, making Christmas a fun time for all.

And down the street, 19 gathered at Candice and Bills’ residence, where they enjoyed all the grandchildren together.

Eleanor and Frank Dahlgren had 25 family members in for Christmas Eve supper, and then it was over to Bonnie’s place for Christmas breakfast and Boxing Day back at the Kobi’s for supper.

Along with the celebrations came sorrow and tragedy.

Our deepest sympathies to Darlene Derr, Cindy and Gerd and family and Shaun on the loss of husband, father, grandfather Gene Derr. Also to his sisters, nieces and nephews and other family members.

Gene was raised south of Gadsby, took his schooling and farmed a few miles west of his childhood home, raising his children there. He and Darlene moved into Stettler when he retired, but always his heart would go back to the farm.

Gene passed away Dec. 23 in Red Deer hospital after a massive heart attack. A graveside service was held last Saturday at Botha Woodland Cemetery, with a memorial tea in the Stettler Legion Senior Centre. Every seat was filled.

The Gadsby community was shocked at the sudden tragic and fatal farm accident that took the life of Second World War veteran Jack Chapman at the age of 92. Jack was among the many soldiers, including several from Gadsby, who spent three years in a POW camp.

There are many who would testify that Jack saved their lives, putting his own life at risk.

The Stettler community hall was standing-room-only on Saturday to say, “Goodbye, old friend.”

Another loss in the community is the passing of Bill Medinsky. There will be a memorial tea this Friday at the Botha Senior Centre.

Bingo is slated for the bank building on Jan. 19.

—GADSBY/WESTWOODS