Stephen & Marlene Bert, Lorraine McGougan

Stephen Bert McGougan

July 16, 1935 - March 21, 2024

Marlene Lorraine McGougan

September 27, 1944 - March 17, 2016

Together again

Steve was born to Albert & Lilly McGougan on July 16, 1935, and passed peacefully in his sleep on March 21, 2024.  He was raised on the family farm near Trochu, Alberta. The youngest of 7 siblings, he seemed to be the prankster of the family. He had convinced his one sister that dessert should always be eaten before the main meal. Dad had many stories of growing up on the farm, from raising his coyote pup to always having to push his old gray mare up hill both ways to school.

After school, he went on to drive truck for a few years, which took him to Toronto and parts of Alberta. When he wasn’t driving truck, you could find him hanging out with friends at the chuckwagon races, curling or whatever other trouble he could find. He had quite the stories from these days.

He eventually settled in Irricana as a grain buyer for Alberta Wheat Pool, and this is where their story began. Marlene was in town at the time, and dad had hired her to paint the interior of his house. She decided that the smoke covered walls needed a good washing before they could even be painted, then after washing realized that they didn’t need painting after all. During this time they got to know each other a little more, and he finally decided to take her on their first date to the Elks club in Drumheller for supper. Not knowing her last name, he had put her down as his wife for the tickets. She won the door prize and he had to come clean. It must have been a sign and guess deep down he had known he had met his soul mate. They eventually married on Dec 3, 1970.

They continued to reside in Irricana, rarely ever apart. Dad always came home for coffee breaks during the day.  They took great pride raising their 3 boys, Clayton, Derrick & Kyle. Dad coached the boy’s baseball teams and would take the boys shooting regularly. Family meant the most to them, and if they weren’t camping with family on weekends, their tiny home was always filled with family. There have been so many great stories and memories told over the years of the time spent together and all the fun they had. The boys all married, and mom and dad had always said they gained 3 daughters. Once grandchildren arrived, they were the light of their life, and were always the first call to babysit and help out whenever they could.

Dad retired from the Alberta Wheat Pool in 1995. They moved to Airdrie and enjoyed going to the mall for coffee and visits with friends. Mom’s kind nature and warm smile seemed to draw everyone to her, allowing them to always have someone to visit with. When they weren’t visiting, you could find them walking the mall together, always enjoying each other’s company.

They decided to move to Drumheller in 2014. They lived in the manor and made many new friends.  Unfortunately, Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and after a short and courageous battle, passed away on March 17, 2016; St. Patrick’s Day. This had always been one of their favourite days of the year, as they would always have some sort of celebration together. 

After Mom’s passing, Dad moved into Sunshine Lodge. He seemed to really enjoy it there and you could always find him taking part in the activities. He loved playing crib, and would quite often be seen playing crib with some of the others or finding new friendships at some of the tournaments he would attend. Dad also really enjoyed going for drives and counting the deer. He then moved into Continuing Care at the Drumheller hospital. He was such a gentle soul, and the staff all seemed to enjoy their time with him.

Much loved by their sons Clayton (Josee) McGougan, Derrick (Tracy) McGougan and Kyle (Kim) McGougan, 5 grandchildren Derrick (Geneviéve), Lauren (Jesse), Kayla (Nick), Grady & Marlee, and 1 great grandson Kyle.

As per mom and dad’s request, there will be no service. A private family gathering will take place at a later time.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen & Marlene Bert, Lorraine McGougan, please visit our floral store.