LESMEISTER, ANTON TONY

Tony Lesmeister passed away peacefully at Medicine Hat General Hospital on September 25th, 2013 at the age of 82 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mildred (Kerbs); his children, Leslie, Rodney, Brenda (Henry) Stang, Judi (Andrew) Coombes, Terry, and Joel; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, John; sisters, Clara Miller, Frances Bell, and Teresa (John) Trevisan; sisters-in-law, Rose Lesmeister, Kay (Jerry) Hager, June Picotte, and Mary Kerbs; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sons, Bruce (1958) and Dale (1971); his parents, Nick and Margaret (Materi) (1982); brothers, Leonard, Joe, Peter, Nick, and Edward; and sister, Magdalena Nelson. Tony was born November 16th, 1930 on the Lesmeister homestead eleven miles south of Prelate, Saskatchewan, smack-dab in the middle of a family of eleven. He was educated at McKenzie School. Tony married Mildred Kerbs on July 18th, 1951 at Blumenfield Church and they began their married life on a farm two miles out of Prelate. In the early years he played accordion in an orchestra that played for local dances. He also repaired TVs and radios, and in 1973 he became an RCA franchise operator. Tony did a lot of custom work as well as farming his own land. As a result of their hard work, they were able to sell the farm in 1974 and move the farm house in to Leader in 1975. In 1978, he and Mildred moved to Medicine Hat to officially retire. Tony was a jack-of-all-trades and enjoyed ‘fixing’ things. He became an avid curler and was very successful in local curling bonspiels. He represented Alberta in 1984 at the National Senior Curling Championships in Newfoundland. Tony enjoyed golfing, and he and Mildred travelled to Hawaii and numerous places in Mexico. They camped extensively and loved the campfires. Tony disliked mornings (which may seem odd, considering that he was a farmer), and he loved his after-supper nap! The farmer in him loved gardening, and this year was probably his most bountiful ‘crop’. Tony enjoyed coffee row at the mall and watching the NHL games, especially with his family. And he really enjoyed a good game of Rummoli with his grandchildren at Easter and Thanksgiving! Vigil Rites (prayers) will be said at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Sunday, September 29th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated in HOLY FAMILY PARISH, #1451 Strachan Road SE, on Monday, September 30th, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Philip Le, celebrant. Interment will follow in the Roman Catholic Section at Saamis Prairie View Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined; memorial gifts in Tony’s memory may be made to The Salvation Army, 164 Stratton Way SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 3R3, or to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre, 666 – 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Tony Lesmeister. Radio funeral announcement can be heard on Friday around 12:35 p.m. on 93.7 Praise FM. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM, “The Chapel in the Park”, locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599