Lydia is survived by her children: Linda (Murray, deceased) Dueck of Lethbridge, David (Mona) Brunner of Cochrane and Nancy (Shannon) Dawson of Lethbridge; grandchildren: Natasha (Jason) Clifton, Byron Dueck (Tash McLeod), Matt Brunner, Sara (Taylor) Brown, Shane (Claire) Dawson and Mitch Dawson; five great-grandchildren: Kingston and Paxton Clifton, Teddy and Calvin Brown, and August Dawson. She is also survived by her two sisters, Rose Chollak-Hamel and Jennie Machacek; and one brother, Frank Velba, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Lydia was born August 16, 1932 in Raymond, Alberta and was raised on a sugar beet farm north of Raymond. As a young woman, she moved to Lethbridge, where she gained employment at local restaurants. In November of 1958, she married John Brunner and they settled in Spring Coulee for a short time, before moving to Magrath for the next 36 years. While in Magrath, Lydia worked for 16 years as a Homemaker Supervisor for the Chinook Health Unit.

Lydia was a devoted mother who taught her children values of compassion, resiliency and integrity. Family gatherings, holiday traditions and simple weekday dinners were where Lydia’s loving care and practical wisdom shone brightest. She took pride in sharing her Czechoslovakian heritage through the many different decadent pastries, buns and cakes she would make for sharing with family and friends. Lydia volunteered for the CWL, Catholic church, and community groups; she supported local events and was known for her willingness to lend a hand to neighbours and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Lydia’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.