Southern Alberta has lost a pioneer. Gone to join Mom. MR. HAROLD KIRCHNER of Lethbridge, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Bernice Kirchner, passed away on January 16, 2010 at the Good Samaritans Lodge in Raymond, at the age of 102 years and nine months.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Bernice Kirchner to whom he was married for over 60 years, his father and mother, Charles and Emma, and four siblings; Mae, Earl, Lee and Arlene.

Dad is survived by his four children; Marjorie Charles of Lethbridge, Marvin (Lorraine) of Lethbridge, Alta Irvine of Kelowna, and Jerry (Bernice) of Lethbridge, along with ten grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and thirteen great-great- grandchildren.

Dad was born in Peterson, Iowa on April 13, 1907. He was a farmer, salesman, inventor and manufacturer. With his family he moved to Tilley, Alberta in 1940 where he farmed for six years before moving to Lethbridge. Harold and his brother Earl established Kirchner Machine Ltd., a farm machinery manufacturing company, in 1946. The many Kirchner manufactured machines found on farms throughout Western Canada and Western U.S. are a tribute to Harold's memory and his inventiveness. Dad was an inventor to the end. At the hospital he put his belt on his walker to ""make it work better"", and dismantled his table lamp because it didn't work.

Dad loved fishing and camping with his family, winter trips to Arizona, playing canasta, watching basketball, and most of all his little dog Trixie.

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staffs at Golden Acres, Raymond Extended Care, Raymond Good Samaritans and Drs. Steed of Raymond and Lethbridge for taking care of Dad these past years.

Friends and family may pay their respects between 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, January 22, 2010 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4th Street South, Lethbridge.

A Celebration of Harold's Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at McKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 15 Avenue South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Cathy Coates and Reverend Trevor Potter, officiating.

A private family interment will be held prior to the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Red Cross Haiti Fund, or to a charity of one's choice.