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RAABIS

July 9, 2005

RAABIS (1913 - 2005) Arthur Raabis, 92, passed away peacefully at the Southwood Care Center in Calgary, July 6, 2005, with family members by his side. He was born January 1, 1913, on the family homestead at Gilby, Alberta, to parents, Olga & Charlie. Art grew up in the Eckville area, where he met and married Myrtle A. Erickson, daughter of Minnie & Eric, in 1939. They purchased a small grocery store in Withrow, later moving to Stettler, where he managed the Co-op store. In 1950 they moved their family to Sylvan Lake where they Founded and operated the Rainbow Trailer Park & Cabins. After selling their business in 1972, they relocated to the Acadia area in Calgary. Their retirement years were devoted mainly to family activities and grandchildren, enjoying camping outings whenever possible. An avid fisherman, he became proficient tying his own flies, and enjoyed stream, lake and ice fishing. His smoked fish rivaled any commercial brand. Art enjoyed hunting, curling & golf, excelling as a baseball pitcher in his younger years. A diversified, inventive and creative individual, he particularly loved to create useful things from discarded items. His great passion for music was evidenced by his wonderful voice and natural ability to play several instruments, including piano, violin and saxophone. He was part of a group of well-thought-of musicians who played around the Central Alberta countryside for many years. Art was predeceased by his beloved wife, Myrtle, his dear daughter, Kaye & son-in-law, John (Ross), two brothers, Carl & Waldo, & two sisters, Salme (Mottus) & Hilja (Kalev). His memory will be cherished by his devoted son, David (Brentwood Bay, BC), his loving daughter, Marion & son-in-law Larry Watt (Houston, TX), his four grandsons, Kerry (Allison), Steven, Michael (Donna), Jon (Tanja) Ross, (all of Calgary) his three granddaughters, Shelly Watt, Houston, TX, Jodi Richardson (Anchorage, AK), & Jennifer Watt (Denver, CO), as well as great-grandchildren, Carter & Zachary, Jaden, Jonas & Kaylee, Justin & Brenden (Ross), Tanner Richardson & Spencer Hill (Watt). Also mourning his loss are sisters, Mary Bardenhagen (Eckville) & Clara Bremner (Vancouver, BC), a brother-in-law, Grant Erickson (Sharen), Calgary, a sister-in-law, Phyllis Erickson (Gordon), Eckville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Art's family wish to sincerely express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Southwood Care Center and McKenzie Towne Retirement Home for their wonderful care, comfort and support. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Art's Life will be held in the Chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home, Hwy. 1A 17 Ave. S.E. and Garden Road, Calgary, on Thursday, July 14, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will follow at Mountain View Memorial Gardens. Refreshments will be served in the Arbor Lounge. In lieu of flowers the family requests Memorial Contributions be made to Art's favorite charity, the Canadian Cancer Society (2nd Floor, 215 - 12 Ave. S.E., Calgary, AB, T2G 1A2), or the charity of their choice. Arrangements entrusted to: MOUNTAIN VIEW FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY, 17 Ave. S.E. at Garden Road, (1.5 km east of 84th St. S.E.) Telephone (403) 272 - 5555.