LARINE KERKHOFF

1927 - 2012

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother. Larine Kerkhoff peacefully lost her courageous eleven year battle with Alzheimer’s disease in Lethbridge on Friday, September 7, 2012 at the age of 85 years and three days. Although in sorrow, we feel a great sense of comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering and that Heaven has welcomed another angel.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the church prior to the funeral service on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 between 1:00 P.M. and 1:40 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. with Bishop Wade Steed conducting. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Gary (Gwen) Kerkhoff of Taber, Bonnie (Roy) Smith of Coaldale, LaVonne Andrus (Gene Miller) of Coalhurst, Marilyn (Robert) Perini of Carseland, Sandra (Brad) Roulston of High River and daughter-in-law Sharon Kerkhoff of Taber; sixteen grandchildren, thirty six great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and many step grandchildren and their families. She is also survived by her sister Elra Schoen; sister-in-law Elna Hall; Everett’s family Leonard (Laurie) Kerkhoff, Bula Kerkhoff, Marg Kerkhoff as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She has been reunited with those that have gone before her including her husband of sixty five years Everett; her son Danny; grandsons Billie Jo Andrus and Derald Smith; great grandsons Blake Andrus and Cole Kuefler; great granddaughter Kelsea Schmitz; parents Abb and Myrtle Hall; siblings Norma, Mae, Linda, Doris, Joyce, Ruth, Mary, Vriel and Ross; father and mother-in-law Frank and Julia Kerkhoff; Everett’s siblings Lawrence, Art, Bernard, Josephine and Ted.
Larine was born in Taber on September 4, 1927 to Abb and Myrtle (nee Rawson) Hall. She married Everett Kerkhoff on February 22, 1944 and together they raised six children on the Kerkhoff homestead south of Taber, now a fourth generation farm.
She always saw the good in everyone, especially her children. She had a very caring heart and kind soul. Her warm smile, kind spirit and frequent laughter enveloped those in her presence. She greeted everybody with huge hugs and kisses. She leaves behind many fond memories. “Mom, we all hope we can be as gracious and accepting as you were”.
Larine was an accomplished seamstress and avid curler. She was happiest when entertaining family and friends by playing the piano and singing. While in Arizona for the winters, she enjoyed golfing and clogging and was still tap dancing at the age of eighty four.
Our family chain is broken, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Larine’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society for Lethbridge and Area, 402, 740 - 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9 or to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, PO Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 (www.stars.ca).
Our family will always be thankful for the compassionate, loving care the staff at West Highlands, Park Meadows Village, Edith Cavell and the Chinook Regional Hospital gave to our beloved mother. God bless you. We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Cal Stewart for his fabulous care and concern for mom.