GERDUNG
Hugo Albert

May 16, 1938 - June 6, 2022

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Hugo Albert Gerdung at the age of 84, at the Drumheller Hospital on Monday, June 6th, 2022. Hugo is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Sharon Gerdung of Rumsey, AB; two sons Albert (Karen Morrison) Gerdung of Brooks, AB; Karl (Sandra) Gerdung of Caroline, AB; and daughter Ruth (Calvin) Wandler of Red Deer; and five grandchildren – Bryanne, Kayla, Levi, Kallie, and Luke; his brother Alfred Gerdung of Rumsey, AB and sister Alice (Ozzie) Sonnenberg of Edmonton, AB; as well as his nieces and a nephew, other relatives and a host of wonderful friends.
Hugo was born in Drumheller, Alberta on May 16th, 1938 and the first son to Anna and Albert (Sr.) Gerdung. He was raised in the farming community of Rumsey, AB and attended grade school at Two Valley View School not far from the family farm, and from there moved to boarding school in Drumheller for his Grade 10 year.
After attending a year of school in Drumheller, Hugo was determined that he would return to the family homestead to farm, rather than continue his schooling.
Hugo met Sharon Elsie Dufloth through a friendship with Albert and Loretta Albright and they married on June 22, 1968. They raised their 3 children on the family farm, where they continued to live until Hugo’s passing. Farm life was full of hard work, raising livestock and working the land. However, it was also where he enjoyed many family gatherings with grandchildren, family and friends and where he was most content to be.
Hugo’s past times were reading the paper, watching the news, perusing travel books, and taking summer vacations to BC. As the kids moved away from the farm, Hugo and Sharon’s trips took them a little further from home and they were able to venture to Hawaii, take an Alaskan cruise and a trip to the East Coast. Hugo and Sharon also took up a new hobby of dancing as the kids moved away, and they joined the dancing community where they met many new wonderful friends. He loved a good polka and loved the sound of the accordion. Hugo taught himself to play the accordion at a young age and secretly played at home. It was a talent he didn’t share with many and often too shy to play for others.
Hugo was also very social and enjoyed visiting with neighbours, family and friends. He loved company and loved it when people would stop by and pass the time with a visit. Hugo was also known to stop and visit with a complete stranger and intrigued to learn about others. Conversation was always welcome. Please take this time to celebrate your memory of Hugo over good conversation with family and friends and play a polka or two, or an old time waltz in his memory. His love of music will be cherished for all that remember him. Hugo will be forever missed and remain in our hearts.
Services were held for Hugo at Grace Lutheran Church, Drumheller, AB on Monday, June 13th at 1:00 P.M. A private interment for family and close friends followed the service at the Rumsey Cemetery with a lunch at the Rumsey Community Hall after the interment.
If anyone wishes to do so as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Drumheller Area Health Foundation (Community Cancer Clinic) who provided continued long term care and support to Hugo and family, or to the STARS Foundation which Hugo continually supported.
Courtney-Winters Funeral Chapel were in care of the arrangements. 403-823-2666.

VESCARELLI
Charlene Ann

October 21, 1958 - June 7, 2022

Charlene Ann Vescarelli of Drumheller, beloved wife of Luigi Vescarelli, passed away on June 7, 2022 at the Drumheller Health Centre at the age of 63 years.
Charlene was born October 21, 1958 in Consort, Alberta to Roger and Barbara Ouellette. Charlene met and married her soul mate Luigi Vescarelli in 1980. Three sons were born to this union, Tony, Danny, and Brady.
Charlene enjoyed travelling, hiking, biking, camping, cards with the girls, stitch & bitch, book club, curling, golfing and baseball. Charlene volunteered for the C.W.L., Red Cross Society and she spent time with the Drumheller Volunteer Firefighters. Charlene spent 30 years at the Alberta Treasury Branch, starting out as a clerk and ending her career as a Loans Officer. Most of all Charlene loved her time spent with her family and her friends.
Charlene passed away peacefully to the sounds of Jenn’s harp with her beloved family by her side. At this time the rains stopped and the skies opened up to sunshine for the first time in days.
Charlene leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband Luigi, three sons Tony Vescarelli, Danny Vescarelli (Jenn Crighton), Brady (Caitlin) Vescarelli, two grandchildren Drydyn Jensen, Aspen Jensen, her parents Roger and Barbara Ouellette, three sisters Valerie Ouelette, Sandra (Gerry) Pasula, Helen (Al) Boyer, three brothers Rod (Cindy Johnson) Ouelette, Kevin (Monica) Ouellette, Glen Ouellette, her mother-in-law Chiara
Vescarelli, brothers in law Ferdy (Cate) Vescarelli, Walter (Kim) Vescarelli, Roberto Vescarelli, numerous nieces, nephews and a lifetime of friends.
Prayer Vigil will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 151-3rd Street West, Drumheller, Alberta. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 151-3rd Street West, Drumheller, Alberta with Father Lukas Drapal as celebrant, following Mass, burial will take place at the Drumheller Cemetery, luncheon will be held at the St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church Hall. If friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Homes are in care of the arrangements. 403-823-2666