Elaine Viergutz

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, and Grandmother, Elaine Viergutz, on Wednesday, December 26th, 2018 at the age of 83 years following a short battle with cancer.

 Mom was born in Wheatstone, Sask., on July 10, 1935 to John and Sophie Stratulat. 

The youngest of five children, Elaine grew up on the family farm adjacent to Dahinda, Sask.  After school, Mom trained with the Grey Nun’s in Regina as a Nurses Aid.  In 1954 she married the love of her life Mel, and they relocated to Lethbridge in 1956.  Mom worked at the Lethbridge Municipal Hospital, then the Haig Clinic until their first child was born in 1960.  Mom then stayed at home and raised their four children for the next fifteen years.  Mom gave us all a wonderful childhood with arts, crafts and music for all the different seasons and holidays.  Mom had a work ethic like no other, and there was always plenty of delicious food and baking for all and hand sewn clothing she made for us.  Mom was an avid bowler in both mixed and ladies’ leagues over the years.  She was an excellent gardener and loved her beautiful yard at their home on Lakeshore Road.

In 1975 Mom went back to nursing at the Family Medical Centre and worked there until she retired in 1995.   In retirement Mom and Dad travelled and made many friends and had great adventures via their membership in the Southern Alberta Antique & Classic Auto Club.  After losing her darling husband, Mom moved to the View in January and quickly pitched in helping with the library and social activities and made many new friendships in her short time there.

Elaine is survived by her son Kevin (Barb), granddaughter Kimberly Ellen (David), great-granddaughter Leslie Ellen, grandson Matthew (Sarah) and great granddaughter Katherine; son Dale (Jan) and granddaughters Taneal and Olivia; daughter Sharon Walsh (Steve); daughter Wendy Fitzsimmons and grandson Ty. She’s also survived by her sister Phyllis Harrison, brothers Steve (Pearl), Art (special friend Marion Greenway), and Phillip (Jean) Stratulat, brother in law Mervin (Faye) Viergutz, sisters in law Julia Viergutz and Lucille Duke, and many nieces and nephews.

Elaine was predeceased by her beloved husband Melvin, parents John and Sophie Stratulat, in laws Christina and Leo Viergutz, brother in laws Fred Harrison, Geoff Bywater, Rob Viergutz, Ted Duke and Jake Wanner, and sisters in law Joyce Stratulat, Barbara Bywater, Alvira Beedle, and Marge Wanner.

A private family interment will be held.  Relatives and friends are invited to a come and go Celebration of Mom’s Life to be held between 2:00PM and 4:00PM on Friday, December 28, 2018 at MARTIN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS, 610 - 4th STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, AB.

Special thanks from our family to Mom’s Palliative Care team led by Dr. Elvira Smuts and the wonderful staff of the St. Michaels’ Palliative Care team.

The family respectfully requests no flowers. If you would like to make a donation in mom’s name, please consider donating to the Palliative Care Chinook Regional Hospital and the St. Michaels’s Health Centre, Palliative Care unit in Lethbridge. 

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