We’ve made it through another cold snap and the news is 50 days until Spring! But who’s counting.
Congratulations to Jackie Fleck and Todd on the birth of their first baby, a girl! Ayla Marie Riviere was born in January at Stettler Hospital, weighing 9 pounds 1 ounce and nine days late. Proud grandparents are Tammy and Darcy Fleck, formerly of Gadsby, now Stettler. A multitude of family including Enwisles, and Davits’ are ready to spoil the new baby.
Stan and Gloria Diegel helped grandchildren celebrate their birthdays on the weekend. Elijah Diegel turned 6 on January 12 and Jasmine Diegel turned 14, January 14 (her royal birthday). A family supper, birthday cakes and gifts took place at their parents Wade and Ybiett’s farm home. Richelle and Greg Skocdopole and family, Arden and Deanne and family all there as well.
Barb and Vic Carey hosted a family get together January 6 with son Wes and grandson Lincoln as well as grandchildren Taylor and Olha from Edmonton, Victoria and Jonah Jarmin from Big Valley. Turkey dinner, games and lots of laughter filled the Carey home.
Percy and Paulette Heer, Helene Heier and Adolf Heier and Correy Fryters were among the guests who honored Hazel Dawson on her 95th birthday. A large gathering was held at the Lutheran Church, Saturday, January 6. A short program and introduction of her family was followed by birthday cake, most of which was handed out by the birthday girl herself with the help of her family. Hazel is noted for her turkey dinners for 17 guests and card playing!
Then on Tuesday Percy and Paulette, along with Eldon and Dale Van Straten motored to Camrose amid blowing snow and cold temperatures to attend the funeral of Percy and Dale’s cousin’s wife at the Burgar Funeral Home. Violet Coultis leaves to remember her, her loving husband Allen (Tom) Coultis, daughters Brenda and Marlene, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as other family and friends. Reverend Jack Schultz of Stettler lead the service. Percy and Eldon were pallbearers but because of the extreme cold interment was postponed. Violet Birtles was raised in Stettler, married Allen and raised their family in Camrose. She kept her Stettler connections and enjoyed getting together with friends from the area. She and Allen attended the annual Decoration Day service in Gadsby for many years, Allen taking part in the Legion Service. Violet was 81 years of age.
Birthday greetings to Percy and Paulette’s grandson Clayton Wideman, January 14. Clayton turned 19. Also birthday greeting to Marie Vance whose birthday was Tuesday, January 9. Joyce Hansel took birthday cake over and they spent the afternoon playing cribbage and keeping warm. Bill and Joyce dropped in on granddaughter Denee Trenerry on her birthday January 11 for an hour or so.
Funeral services took place on Friday in Ponoka at the Golf Course Club House for Donnie Peterson. Donnie was born and raised in Gadsby, started Gadsby school in 1960 and graduated Wm E High School in 1972. Don married Holly MacPherson in 1977, they lived in Swan Hills, Whitecourt and Water Valley where they established West Country Consulting Inc. Don and Holly enjoyed traveling. Since his work took him all over Alberta they decided on Ponoka as a central location. They loved and spoiled their nieces and nephews. Don’s hobbies included rebuilding motorbikes, building and flying RC airplanes, snowmobiling and long bike rides, to name a few. Holly passed away suddenly in 2008. Don passed away suddenly in December 2017. Both were remembered at the service with a moving eulogy, a power point presentation and memorabilia on display. Don was 63 years of age. We will miss him.
