EVERETT KERKHOFF

1924 - 2009

Everett Victor Lansing Kerkhoff, beloved husband of Larine Kerkhoff, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at the age of 85 years.
Besides Larine, his loving wife of sixty five years, Everett is survived by his children, Gary (Gwen) Kerkhoff of Taber, Bonnie (Roy) Smith of Coaldale, LaVonne Andrus (Gene Miller) of Coalhurst, Marilyn (Robert) Perini of Brooks, Sandra Olson of High River and daughter-in-law Sharon Kerkhoff of Taber; sixteen grandchildren, thirty six great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren - four step grandchildren, seventeen step great grandchildren and ten step great great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Leonard (Laurie) Kerkhoff, sister Josephine Bonette, sisters-in-law Bula Kerkhoff & Marg Kerkhoff and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Everett was predeceased by his son Danny; two grandsons, Billy Joe & Derald; two great grandsons, Blake & Cole and a great granddaughter Kelsea. He was also predeceased by his parents Frank & Julia; four brothers, Lawrence, Art, Bernard & Ted Kerkhoff; sisters-in-law Pat Kerkhoff, Ollie Kerkhoff and brother-in-law Jim Bonette.
Everett was born in Taber on April 4, 1924, the sixth of seven children born to Frank & Julia Kerkhoff. When he was fourteen, Everett quit school to help on the family farm. In 1942, the first oil well in the Taber area was drilled on the Kerkhoff farm. On February 22, 1944, he was married to Larine Hall of Taber. In 1947, at the age of twenty three, Everett assumed control of the family farm after the passing of his father. He was especially proud of the farm which was homesteaded in 1909 and after one hundred years, remains in the Kerkoff family with Danny’s boys carrying on the tradition started by his father.
Everett was an avid curler. He also took up golfing and thoroughly enjoyed playing in Alberta and then later with the Snowbirds in California and Arizona. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by his family and many friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Patrick Furtado SAC, Celebrant. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Everett's name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2M7 or to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7.
The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff and nurses at The Gardens at West Highlands and the doctors and nursing staff at the Chinook Regional Hospital, for their care, support and compassion.