Vair - Cook Southland Funeral Chapel

Kenneth Vair

1943 - 2014

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel - Vair(2014)

Ken Vair of Medicine Hat passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014, in the Palliative Care Unit of the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital while surrounded by his wife, children, brothers, sisters and nieces. Ken was born January 2, 1943, in Lethbridge and raised in Medicine Hat. Growing up in a family with 10 brothers and sisters prepared him for the Canadian military. He joined the Provost Corp in 1962, serving at bases in Canada and as part of the First U.N. Peace Keeping Mission to Cyprus. In 1965, he married Gloria Obrigewitch and in 1967, they returned to Medicine Hat to stay and start their family. He was employed by Hank Valk Construction and Ben Velner Construction until illness struck in 1989. He outlasted all doctors’ predictions and survived 25 years until succumbing. Ken is survived by Gloria, his wife of nearly 49 years; son, Murray of Calgary; daughter, Tanya (Stoney) Hines of Drayton Valley and son, Clint of Edmonton; grandchildren, Delaney, Brody and Kaycee Jay Hines of Drayton Valley; brothers, Frank (Elaine), Don (Dixie) and Tom (Diane) all of Medicine Hat as well as sisters, Peggy (Mike) Dase of Pincher Creek, Pat Franzen of Medicine Hat, Anna Mae Vair of Calgary, Susan (Henry) Seifried of Brooks and Vicki (Tony) Steidel of Duchess. He was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Marie (McCartney) Vair; sister, Lillian; brother, Jim; brother-in-law, Bob Franzen and his in-laws, Matt and Polly Obrigewitch. The family would like to thank all of the dedicated medical professionals who helped Ken through 25 tough years, especially Dr. Soo for all of his loyalty and support. A Celebration of Ken’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, May 29, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Father Fred Monk officiating. Interment will follow in the Field of Honour at Hillside Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined and donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 124, 430 - 6 Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8 or to Parkinson Alberta, 101, 928 Allowance Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 3G7.

Jeannine Thompson:
May 27, 2014 at 05:05 PM

Gloria, I was so sad to see your husband's name in the obituaries. What a long struggle you both have had! Bad things happen to those that Jesus loves, but glory follows suffering, & life follows death. "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18 Jeannine

Bernie and Margaret Matz:
May 27, 2014 at 06:05 PM

Gloria and Family, Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Ken was proof that it is possible to be a survivor for many years when the odds were not in your favor. Bernie and Margaret Matz

Linda Cleveland:
May 27, 2014 at 08:05 PM

Dear Gloria, Murray, Tanya and family, and Clint,
my sincerest condolences to each of you. I'm saddened to hear you have lost someone so special to you. The picture in the paper is so much like the Ken I always knew. This is a sad and difficult time for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope special memories come to you each day to help ease the pain in your hearts and dry the tears in your eyes. God bless each of you and He will give you the strength to get through each day and each year without Ken.
Sincerely, Linda Cleveland

Thinking of You:
May 27, 2014 at 02:05 AM

Dear Gloria,
Our condolences to you and your family on Ken's passing. Your company and care gave him enjoyment and dignity in those " tough " years that we knew you both.
Arlette and Dave Spencer

Judy & John Rombough:
May 27, 2014 at 03:05 AM

Dear Gloria & family,
We were saddened to hear of Ken's passing, and are thinking of you at this time. We will fondly remember our coffee breaks at Tim's with Ken & his somewhat wry sense of humor & his love & pride for his children & grandchildren.
Sending our prayers & hugs, Judy & John

Lawrence and Cindy Aimoe & boys:
May 27, 2014 at 04:05 AM

Dear Gloria and family, our prayers are with all of you at this time of loss. Gloria, I am deeply saddened at your loss and think often of the friendship and love that you gave me when I needed it. You are a sweet dear person who always made all things better with your beautiful smile and gentle disposition. My family offers our deepest and sincere condolences during this time and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love The Aimoe family Lawrence, Cindy, Lucas, Jordan, and Reece

Erna and Eric Sander:
May 28, 2014 at 02:05 AM

Gloria and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Ken. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Our deepest sympathy.

Deanna Clark:
May 28, 2014 at 04:05 PM

Sorry to hear about the passing of your brother. A loved one's passing is never easy. Please accept our heartfelt condolences, Deanna & Addilynne Clark

Anna Matz:
May 28, 2014 at 04:05 PM

Dear Gloria & family - sorry to hear about the loss of Ken. He is gone but not forgotten. May God give you, Gloria, and your family the strength to carry on in this time of sorrow.

Judy Shand:
May 29, 2014 at 02:05 AM

Dear Vair Family - There's no way of remembering our earliest years on 3rd Street without all of you as part of every day of play, every bit of mischief! We used to try to remember the whole list of names of every kid - three more than there are of us. My Dad and I ran in to Ken and Gloria one day and had a nice time remembering the corner and life there. It was a good surprise to see Ken and to be remembered by him then. I send you all wishes for deep peace and happy memories of him and all he accomplished - yes, "beating the odds"! May love and grace surround you all and hold you close throughout this time of grief and remembrance. We're thinking of you and hearing again the sounds of life lived large and happily on our corner. Blessings -- Judy Shand

Toni-Ann and Dave Petersen:
May 29, 2014 at 03:05 PM

Dear Susan and Vicki and the Vair families; We are so very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. Please know that many caring thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. With deepest sympathy. Dave and Toni-Ann (Sox) Petersen

Willy Brees:
May 29, 2014 at 03:05 PM

My sincerest sympathy in the passing of Ken. He will be missed at morning coffee. We really enjoyed his company.

Mel Pittman:
Jun 07, 2014 at 11:06 PM

On behalf of all members of the Canadian Provost Corps Association, I send along our sincere condolences in the passing of Ken. We Will Remember Him!

Send a condolence message

Condolence messages are sent through an approval queue prior to publication. Once approved, your name and condolence message are viewable by the public. Your email address will remain private, and is for notification purposes only. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.