ROSS CURSONS

1936 - 2004

Ross Benjamin Cursons, beloved husband of Vivian Cursons of Taber, passed away in Taber on Thursday, September 2, 2004 at the age of 68 years after a courageous battle with cancer.  
Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Vivian (nee Hansen), his children Rhonda (Gerald) Dumais and their children Garrett and Janelle of Edmonton, Mathew (Dianna) Cursons of Moose Jaw, SK, Lorraine Hetke of McKenzie, BC, and Scott Cursons of Sorrento, BC; his step-children Richard (Lori) Bruce and their children Megan and Brendan, and Robert (Angie) Bruce and their children Madison and Mason, all of Red Deer and Jade (Kayla) Cursons of Taber. He is also survived by his brothers Joe (Susan) Cursons of Medicine Hat, Victor (Judy) Cursons of Barnwell and his sisters Lynne (Bud) Nelson of Hawarden, Iowa, Sylvia (Ed) O'Brien of Shaunavon, SK, Esther (Ole) Thronberg of Eastend, SK, Janice (Eldon) Widdifield of Winnipeg, MB, Susan Stimson of Medicine Hat and Inez (Art) Dyer of Edmonton as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.  
He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Ruth (nee Schmitt) and by his son Michael.  
Ross was born at Eastend, Saskatchewan on August 28, 1936. His education took place at Clay Centre and Avon schools. He joined the work force at an early age. He was co-owner of the Shaunavon Esso for a time before he began farming on the homestead. In the late sixties he decided to try his fortunes in Alberta where he found his true love, Vivian. Ross and Vivian were married on May 30, 1987. In 1988, Ross, Vivian, and family purchased a half section in the County of Hoadley, where they raised about one hundred head of purebred Simmentals and Ranch Cattle. In 1992, they decided to sell, as Ross was ready to semi-retire. They purchased an acreage at Bluffton, but couldn't stay out of the Cattle business. Ross traveled all the way to Vancouver Island to purchase four Dexter Cows - a miniature breed of cattle. They eventually grew to a herd of twenty. In 1997, Ross retired with his family to Taber, but needing a permanent place for his beloved Dexters to live, sold the house in Taber and bought an acreage at Fincastle. Here, he bred the first herd of Polled Dexters, known far and wide as Twi-lite Dexters. Eventually, due to illness, Ross downsized to a smaller acreage on the Red Trail just east of Taber. Early this spring, Ross and Vivian decided it was time to move back to town so they sold the acreage and purchased a home in Taber. Ross loved the lands he lived on and kept his homes immaculate. He always managed to surround himself with animals, be it horses, cattle, dogs or Llamas. His beloved animals repaid him in kind with their own brand of devotion.  
A Funeral Service will be held in Ross' honor at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Jim Lochhead officiating. A Graveside Service will be held at the Spring Valley Cemetery, Eastend, SK at a later date.  
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ross' name may be made directly to the Taber Hospital Foundation (Palliative Care Unit), 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta  T1G 1N9. Telephone: (403) 223-4461.
A special thank you goes out to Dr. Wes Steed, Dr. Holland and staff at both Taber and Lethbridge Hospitals for their kind and compassionate care shown to Ross over the course of his illness.