Obituary of Loretta Mae Wales

Loretta Wales (nee Dilts ), age 88 years, died peacefully in Cranbrook Hospital on January 3, 2025 after a long battle with COPD.

She grew up in a family of 12 children near Waldo  ( now at the bottom of Lake Koocanusa).

Loretta met the love of her life, Stanley Wales, at a dance in the South Country. They were married in Fernie in 1953.

They lovingly raised seven children; Richard, Eldon, Cina, Anita, Charlie, Roxanne, and Mavis. They had 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

She was cherished by them all.

Loretta was an athlete; she excelled at fastball and bowling, but loved all sports. She happily watched the Blue Jays, the Oilers, the Olympics, curling and golf on television daily.

She believed in community and volunteered at the Wycliffe Rodeo grounds, and she enjoyed coaching softball to kids in Wycliffe.

Her curiosity resulted in her joy of travel. She loved going places with her family. She traveled from east to west in Canada, parts of the United States, Cuba, Italy, the Bahamas, and a couple of cruises.

Loretta loved animals, especially dogs. Nature was a daily part of her life, and she loved looking at the mountains.

Children were her life blood. If a child was nearby, she always kept one eye on them, and they felt her love and caring spirit. It was rare that a child did not want to engage with her.

They always made her day up until the day of her passing.

Loretta was intelligent and good at business. She bought the cafeteria at the airport which she managed for many years.

Loretta was formidable at playing games, especially crib. She liked to win but happily conceded defeat and then challenged you to another one.

We will miss her great sense of humor.

Loretta will be missed.

 She is survived by her siblings Bobby, Sheila, Dennis, and Patsy.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 11, 2024 at McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook.

The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, please follow the link below to view, or Loretta’s page at mcphersonfh.com

 https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/loretta-wales-service