LEWIS

Lori Annette Lewis (née Bernhardt) of Rimbey, Alberta, the chosen daughter of Hermann and Sharon Bernhardt, was born on February 25, 1971, in Red Deer, Alberta.  She was called by God and brought into His family through Holy Baptism on April 18, 1971.  Lori publicly announced the faith into which she was baptized as her own in the Rite of Confirmation on May 26, 1985.  At the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 5, 2025, God called her into her eternal home following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 54 years.

Lori obtained all her schooling in Sherwood Park, Alberta.  Following her high school graduation, she attended Concordia College in Edmonton for a short time.  Lori found her life’s vocation when she entered the Alberta College of Paramedics training program, becoming an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).  Not content with this level, Lori successfully completed training as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  She worked as an EMT for Guardian Ambulance in Ponoka and Rimbey Emergency Services in Rimbey. 

While there were tough days and heartbreaking calls, Lori truly loved working on the ambulance.  She enjoyed challenging medical students to start an IV on her saying, “If you can start on me, you can start on anyone.”  Lori was a notorious ‘hard start,’ as can be attested to by many lab technicians and nurses in Rimbey and Edmonton.  Lori was described by some of her co-workers as being great to work with, a wonderful person, fiercely determined, and she genuinely cared for her patients.  The term ‘bossy’ was even affectionately used by some!

After leaving the ambulance profession, Lori worked for a short time at the front desk at the Rimbey Super 8 hotel before starting in the Admitting Department at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, among other duties.  During this time, she successfully completed the course study to be certified in Health Information Management.  Her family and friends used to tease and giggle with her, as her official designation was Certified Health Information Management Professional – CHIMP!

Lori and Allen “Al” were married in Rimbey on July 3, 1999.  It has been said that there is a blessing for each raindrop that falls on your wedding day.  If this is true, then Lori and Al were truly blessed beyond numbers… as it poured the entire day they got married!  Some guests remarked that they could see the animals marching by the church, two-by-two! 

Their family was complete with the birth of their son Paul on October 5, 2002.  Lori commented several times on the importance of the October 5th date, as it was the same date that Al was installed as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Rimbey in October of 1997.  By his mid-teens, Paul had grown taller than his mom, and he took great pleasure in calling her ‘short stack’!

In 2005, with the blessing of her parents, Lori connected with her birth mom Kathy Bohme (née Hall).  With Kathy came a half brother Lance, a half sister Odette, and a stepfather Vern.  Odette often remarked that she had always wanted a sister, and now she has one.  Geographically separated, they still managed to get together a couple of times a year.  They had a close and special relationship.  

Diagnosed with cancer, Lori underwent major surgery in October of 2024 with the removal of a tumour on her tongue, its subsequent reconstruction, and the removal of most of the lymph nodes in her neck.  While getting out of bed on the day after the surgery, she suffered a stroke which affected her peripheral vision on the right side.  She entered the Rimbey Hospital for the last time on May 31, 2025.

One day, following an appointment with her oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Lori said that she was not angry at God over what was happening, but she did wonder, ‘why’?  Why is this happening?  What good is God going to bring out of this?  Alluding to St. Paul writing, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Lori was loved by many and touched the lives of all with whom she met.  She will be missed.  With faith in Jesus as Saviour we don’t say goodbye, Lori, rather we simply say, “See you later, as we await the great and wonderous day of the resurrection when Jesus returns in glory and triumph.” 

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”  “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!”  (Revelation 14:13 ESV)

Lori will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Al; their son Paul Lewis (Jacky Singer); her parents Hermann and Sharon Bernhardt; a brother Kevin (Alex Carreon-Perez) Bernhardt; and a sister Debbie (Matt) Stirrat; along with Al’s sister Linda Lewis.

She will also be lovingly remembered by Al’s family who Lori loved as her own:  two daughters Rachel Lewis (Steve Braun) and Andrea Lewis (Rob Merlino); three grandsons Joel (Sophie) Wittenberg-Cardinal, Troy Chadwick, and Nico Lewis Thibodeau; and seven granddaughters Kristen Wittenberg (Kurt Dal), Katie Wittenberg, Jillian Wittenberg (Nathan Thunder), Candace Lewis, Mikayla Lewis, Robyn Chadwick (Samuel Hughes), and Ivy Lewis Thibodeau; as well as two great-granddaughters Teena Cardinal and Athena Wittenberg-Cardinal.

Lori additionally leaves behind her stepfather Vernon Bohme; a brother Lance Bohme, and his son Dylan; and a sister Odette Rosselli, and her daughter Scarlett; in addition to her aunt Elsie (Ken) Rodeman; her uncle Don Gabert; nephews Devin Stirrat, and his children Caleb and Scarlett; and Aaron Bernhardt; in addition to cousins James (Jen) Mair, Scott Mair, Andrew (Feena) Gabert, Keith (Carla) Gabert, and Barbara (Char) Tristrand.  Al’s nieces and nephews will also fondly remember Lori:  Dane Lewis (Erin Hermanson); Emily Lewis; Andrea Lewis, and her sons Rowan and Elwood; and Alec Hermanson.

Lori was predeceased by her birth mother Kathlene Bohme; son-in-law Jordon Wittenberg; daughter-in-law Kim Wittenberg; a great-grandson Jordon Wittenberg-Cardinal; and her in-laws:  father-in-law Rolland Lewis; mother-in-law Bonnie Chesher; stepmother-in-law Norah Lewis; and a nephew-in-law Samuel Lewis.

A Memorial Service in Celebration of Lori’s Life will be held at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite (formerly the Zion Lutheran Church), 4521 – 54 Avenue, Rimbey on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Mark Schultz officiating.  Interment will follow in the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey.  If desired, memorial donations may be made in Lori’s memory directly to the Cross Cancer Institute, c/o the Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710, 10123–99 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3H1 (www.albertacancer.ca).  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.      

Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Lori Annette Lewis entrusted to the care of