Helena Rosia Buzunis (nee Wiess)

1921 ~ 2018

Mrs. Helen Buzunis of Fort Macleod, beloved wife of the late Mr. George Buzunis passed away surrounded by her family at the Cardston Health Care Centre on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at the age of 96 years.

Helen was born in Eagle Butte, Alberta on August 26, 1921 to Gottlieb & Rebecca Weiss. She attended school in Medicine Hat and during the war worked in the Red Cliff glass factory applying labels to glass products before working in the restaurant business.

Helen married George Buzunis on April 26, 1941. The family moved first to Lethbridge in 1946, then settled in Fort Macleod in 1950. Together Helen and George ran both The Ranch House and The Westerner Family Restaurant in Fort Macleod, where Helen taught the art of exceptional customer service to many. Helen also served alongside her husband during this time when he was Mayor of Fort Macleod. Upon retirement from the restaurant business, Helen worked as Matron of the Pioneer Lodge.

She was avid sports enthusiast, having received lifetime memberships in both the Fort Macleod Curling Club and Golf Club and enjoyed playing both sports well into her 80’s.

Helen was a dedicated member of The Order of The Eastern Star for over 65 years. In her later years she enjoyed playing bridge at the Fort Macleod Welcome Mat with many good friends.

She was fun loving, creative, an excellent seamstress and cook.

Helen was predeceased by her parents Gottlieb and Rebecca Weiss, her loving husband George Buzunis, nine sisters and seven brothers and grandson Kurtis Reynolds.

Helen is survived by her four children: Constantine (Caron) Buzunis, Theodore (Dianna) Buzunis; Catherine (Allan) Park, Georgina (Kelley) Buzunis; twelve grandchildren: Julie (Timothy) Bumby, Constance Buzunis, James Buzunis, Cheryl (Mark) Verhagen, Deborah Buzunis, Byron (Maria) Buzunis, Bryson Buzunis, Lorren (Carrie) Buzunis, Angela Park, Leanne Park, Serena (James) Wesley, Kurtis (deceased) (Shannon) Reynolds, Sandy (Rusty) Regier; sisters Martha (George) Kinley and Hazel (Adrian) Hart; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews over five generations.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the ANGLICAN PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH, 320 – 21 Street, Fort Macleod, Alberta, with the Right Reverend Sidney Black, officiating. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects one hour prior to the Funeral Service. Interment will follow in the Fort Macleod Union Cemetery.