THERESA KIMELA GAY VERLAECKT (KIM), loving wife of Jack, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2020 at the Raymond Health Center after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Kim was born in Moosomin on October 28, 1954 and was raised on the family farm south of Moosomin with her four sisters and one brother. She was a free spirit growing up and generally in a bit of trouble for breaking the curfew rules. She graduated from Maryfield High School in 1972 and after a few attempts at different careers settled for a career as a dental assistant.

In 1978, Kim moved to Lethbridge where she met the love of her life, Jack, and they were married in 1982. They raised their three sons, Travis, Jan and Matthew in Lethbridge. Kim was always a tough task master with her sons but was fiercely protective of her boys regardless of how much trouble they were in, which was often. Eventually Travis moved to Vancouver and Jan moved to Jasper while Matthew stayed in Lethbridge. Kim generally talked to each of them every day and loved to hear about Travis's latest adventure, Jan's work challenges and Matthew's gardening.

Kim and Jack enjoyed travelling and over the years spent time in Mexico, Philippines, Europe and a recent cruise to Alaska. Perhaps Kim's greatest joy was her little cabin in the woods of White Bear Lake in Saskatchewan. Kim and Jack would spend a great deal of the summer there and Kim started the family tradition of Christmas in July with all her siblings at the lake.

Kim had five siblings and she loved to spend time with them on their farms, at the lake or travelling with them to various places. She also had many friends not just in Lethbridge but across the country that she kept in close touch with. One of her favorite pastimes was Thrift Store shopping with her friend Nancy on Saturday mornings. She loved to entertain her many friends in Lethbridge and her Christmas appetizer parties became legendary.

One of Kim's greatest passions was her horses. She loved to spend time caring for them, grooming them and riding; this was her relaxation time. She was very soft hearted when it came to animals and was always taking in a stray whether it was stray horses or stray dogs. She also loved her work and her friends at Dr. Rick Harder's Endodontics. She "officially" retired three times but continued to go into work anytime they call on her.

Kim is survived by her husband Jack and sons Travis, Jan and Matthew as well as siblings Pam (Jeff), Shelley (Murray), Mark (Wanda), Laurie (Tim), Sherry and many nieces and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her parents Mike and Berniece and her nephew Shea.

A Memorial Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 St. S, Lethbridge, AB on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 10:30 AM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca. Seating is limited to 90 guests. Facemasks are mandatory and will be available upon entry.

After the service, Kim will be laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery. A Reception will follow at NORLAND HISTORIC ESTATE, 5801 - 1 Ave. S, Lethbridge, AB at 2:00 PM.