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Smulders, Ralph

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RALPH GERARD CHRISTIAN SMULDERS passed away peacefully at St. Michael's Health Centre, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the age of 61 years.

Ralph will greatly be missed by all his family: his mother and father Edward and Edith Smulders, sister, Inga (Bruce) Anderson and their children Rory and Maxton, and sister Karen (Chris) Vavra and their children Kailey (Curtis) Jakober (and his great niece and nephew Raylee and Hayes), Courtney (Kevin), and Karissa (Scott) Vavra.

Ralph was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on September 20th, 1959. Ralph and his family came to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1964. In his early years, Ralph played hockey, lived on the ski hills, and enjoyed playing golf. After high school, he went to NAIT to pursue engineering and later decided that teaching was his calling. After graduating from the University of Lethbridge in 1988 with a degree in Education, Ralph taught both junior high and high school in Claresholm, Alberta. Ralph was passionate about his teaching. He stressed the importance of respect and working hard to his students. He fell in love with Claresholm and built a home along with his own ranch where he could also pursue his dream of a cow and calf operation. He worked alongside his father at 'Rock Springs Ranch'. Ralph always lived a life of adventure, from travelling to Australia, to helicopter skiing. Ralph enjoyed riding his motorbike and living his life to the fullest.

Following an illness, Ralph moved to Lethbridge and later into St. Michael's Health Centre in 2016. Ralph was so truly blessed to be in the care of so many incredible staff members at St. Michael's Health Centre. Ralph had an amazing strong will, was full of stubbornness, and had an unbelievable perseverance. He never gave up on anything. His commitment to always move forward and be strong, prevailed with every challenge faced to him.

Please join us for a Funeral Service at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 Street South, Lethbridge, on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Refreshments will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Ralph by donating to St. Michael's Health Centre (1400 - 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V5).

I got to work with Ralph quite a bit as a parent and EA. taking the kids to the hill and skiing. My kids liked him very much and were so sad when he got sick. He really helped my girls with their math. I saw how much he was concerned for the kids and that they did well in school. I know he helped the older high school kids with math who asked him for help. He has been missed as a teacher very much!

Marva-Jean Brown, September 12, 2021

Our deepest condolences to the family on Ralph's passing. Praying for courage in this difficult time of grief for his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

Peter & Karen Verwer, September 10, 2021

I am so glad I was able to make it to Mr. Smulders' service and pay my respects. It was 15 years ago that he was my Grade 7 homeroom teacher, and he was a great one. He was a teacher who truly and genuinely cared about each individual student, and wanted them to grasp the concepts and succeed. He was always so patient, and never minded helping, often staying late after school. He was almost always the last teacher to leave, every day. Some people you can just tell were meant to do certain things, and I truly feel that Mr. Smulders was meant to be a teacher, and I'm so grateful I had the privilege to have had him as mine. I hope the family can take pride and comfort in the fact that he left a lasting impression on a lot of students. Even after 15 years, I have always thought of him fondly, and spoken about my memories with him. On the drive to the service, myself and two other classmates were talking about a memory we had of our Grade 7 ski trip, and how he would always bomb past us on the hill, always having fun, and just thoroughly enjoying himself. He was strict as a teacher, but also kind and passionate. I will always cherish the memories I have of him, and be thankful for the lasting lessons he shared.

Krissy Slettede, September 9, 2021

I am very sorry to hear of Mr. Smulders' passing. I still remember learning about his trip to Australia and being inspired by his excitement for travel. I also remember a few rounds of Jeopardy in his Junior High Social Studies classes reviewing material for a unit exam. My more vivid memories however come from his time coaching my older brother's hockey team - he was very passionate about hockey and occasionally coached the odd third period from the lobby of an arena after an early dismissal due to a fiery "motivational speech" to opposing coaches or officials. Stories of Ralph always surface when reminiscing about hockey games and tournaments of the past. He was spirited, community-minded, and a good human. My sincere condolence to Ralph's family and friends. Please accept my prayers for Grace, strength and peace.

Cathy (Borthwick) Price, September 9, 2021

A chance meeting on a day tour in Cairns Australia turned into a 30 year friendship. We had the pleasure of visiting Canada & staying at the ranch in Claresholm & Ralph came to see us in Australia as well. Ralph's strength & positivity in the face of adversity is something to be admired. He always saw the best in everything & never complained. A special friend who I will never forget but miss dearly. RIP & fly high

Tonia Woodward, September 9, 2021

Sincere condolences

Ellie Elliott, September 8, 2021

Sincere condolences

Ellie Elliott, September 8, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Mr Smulders (I always had too much respect for him to call him by his first name). He was an amazing teacher and I learnt so much from him. My thoughts and prayers are will you all in this time of loss.

Hope Cotter, September 7, 2021

Ralph was a great teacher and I was fortunate to be Ralph's Principal at WCCHS in his final year of teaching. He showed a positive energetic disposition in the face of a very challenging diagnosis. Rest In Peace Ralph and spread your awareness through out the universe.

Shaun Boyle, September 5, 2021

We will miss Ralph. In recent years our visits to Raymond and Lethbridge were so nice. Recently it was the text and email stories we enjoyed. We loved being invited to your farm West of Claresholm. Ralph was always a gracious host for staff parties. It was a shock to have lost a man with such a strong will and constitution. Rest in peace our friend.

Julie Isaac & Jim Fuller, September 4, 2021

It truly saddened me to hear of Ralph's passing. Sincere condolences to all the family.

Leslie Glimsdale, September 4, 2021

Godspeed dear Ralph....safe at last in the loving arms of your creator.

Oli & Sandy Larsen, September 2, 2021

Thinking of you all and wishing many happy memories. I met Ralph when he lived outside Claresholm on the ranch he so loved. His life was too short for the contributions he had to give. We share the same birthday and were able to celebrate some of those years together. He was a wonderful, loving kind and intelligent man that I will dearly miss.

Paula Johnson, September 2, 2021

Smulders, Ralph

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