Obituary: S

Storyteller, Craftsman & Patriarch ALEXANDER VALENTINE STIRLING, one of the last coopers in Canada, died on November 5th, 2014 at St. Michael's Health Centre - Palliative Care Unit in Lethbridge, at the age of 77 years. Alex was raised in Perth, Scotland, where he completed his cooper's apprenticeship at Mathew Gloag's and then worked for Dewar's Distillery. In 1971 he immigrated to Canada and shortly thereafter he began to work for Palliser Distilleries in Lethbridge, Alberta, where he stayed until his retirement in 1999.

MABEL MILLA STOCKDALE (nee McLean), beloved wife of the late Edward Stockdale, of Lethbridge, passed away at Extendicare in Fort Macleod on Friday, January 13, 2012. Mabel is the loving mother of Gail (Gary) Thompson and Michael (Patti) Stockdale, the loving grandmother of Jason (Jami) Thompson and Andrea (Jody) Carpenter; as well as great-grandmother of Riley, Ryder Carpenter and Eason Thompson. She was predeceased by her parents James and Margaret McLean; as well as two brothers Cleveland and Donald McLean.

RICHARD STOPERSKI, of Carmangay, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the age of 80 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced once completed.

JOHN ALBERT STOTZ, beloved friend and companion of Barb Allsop, of Lethbridge, passed away at St. Therese Villa, on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the age of 78 years. Some will know that John was born in Red Deer, on December 15, 1939, came to Lethbridge in 1967 and worked briefly at Purity Dairy and Canada Packers. Many more will know that he and his cherished wife Donna started Bridge City Caterers in 1970.

MRS. IRIS STRAND, beloved wife of Lorne Strand of Raymond, AB, passed away at Extendicare in Lethbridge, AB on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at the age of 70. Iris was born and raised in Foam Lake, SK and in 1956 her and Lorne married and moved to Lethbridge where she resided until her passing. She loved to camp, hunt and fish. She worked at numerous jobs through the years but her favourite one was at Sears where she came home laughing every day and she worked until her disease, Lupus, became unbearable.

MR. MICHAEL STROUD, beloved husband of Mrs. Debbie Stroud of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly in Fort McMurray on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the age of 48 years. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his family; Siobhan, MacKenzie and Liam Stroud, Justin Barnes (Justine Fournier), Courtney Barnes (Mikail Villiger); parents Max & Jacquie Stroud, brothers Dave (Michelle) Stroud and their family, Max, Zach, Cole and Tate; Kevin (Tara) Stroud and their family Brian and Charlotte; sister Joanne (Craig) Stein and their family, Sydney, Mya and Piper.

ARNOLD MELVIN SUCHER, beloved husband of Charmaine Sucher of Picture Butte, AB, passed away peacefully at home with his wife and son by his side on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at the age of 82 years. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, and is predeceased by his cherished daughter Karri Sucher. The family will celebrate Arnold at a private service.

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our treasured Mother and Friend CHARMAINE SUCHER, who left us swiftly and gently on January 8, 2018. We cherish the unforgettable lady we are most fortunate to have known and are simply awed by the lovely grace, never-ending generosity, steadfast loyalty, commitment to community service, constant thoughtfulness, gentle kindness and pure enduring love for which she will always be remembered. As she faced Lupus, Heart Surgery, Kidney Disease and many other complications throughout these last few years, she bravely endured her burdensome medical challenges to stay with us as long as she could.

SUSAN GAIL LABUHN, beloved wife of Harvey Labuhn of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully on August 26th, 2013 in Kalispell MT. Death abruptly intruded into a life in full-swing. That Suzie, she was a pistolero! She was also a wizard with words, so to sum up her remarkable spirit in a few paragraphs-without her help-is almost impossible. Along with that, she hated being the centre of attention. If attention suddenly swung her way, she’d crack everyone up with some self-deprecating remark and quickly change the subject while the rest of us were still giggling.

MRS. SUSAN (SUE) BLENDINA STEVENS, beloved wife of Roy Stevens, passed away after a short yet courageous battle with cancer in Lethbridge on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the age of 50 years. She is a loving mother to son, Todd (Ashley) Maxwell of Ponoka, AB, and two daughters, Jasmine (Chris Nesbit) Stevens of Lethbridge, AB, and Charlotte Stevens, of Lethbridge, AB. Two beautiful grandchildren also survive her with a third on the way.