RALPH GERARD CHRISTIAN SMULDERS passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Health Centre, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the age of 61 years.
Ralph will greatly be missed by all his family: his mother and father Edward and Edith Smulders, sister, Inga (Bruce) Anderson and their children Rory and Maxton, and sister Karen (Chris) Vavra and their children Kailey (Curtis) Jakober (and his great niece and nephew Raylee and Hayes), Courtney (Kevin), and Karissa (Scott) Vavra. 
Ralph was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on September 20th, 1959. Ralph and his family came to Lethbridge, Alberta in 1964. In his early years, Ralph played hockey, lived on the ski hills, and enjoyed playing golf. After high school, he went to NAIT to pursue engineering and later decided that teaching was his calling. After graduating from the University of Lethbridge in 1988 with a degree in Education, Ralph taught both junior high and high school in Claresholm, Alberta. Ralph was passionate about his teaching. He stressed the importance of respect and working hard to his students. He fell in love with Claresholm and built a home along with his own ranch where he could also pursue his dream of a cow and calf operation. He worked alongside his father at ‘Rock Springs Ranch’. Ralph always lived a life of adventure, from travelling to Australia, to helicopter skiing. Ralph enjoyed riding his motorbike and living his life to the fullest.
Following an illness, Ralph moved to Lethbridge and later into St. Michael’s Health Centre in 2016. Ralph was so truly blessed to be in the care of so many incredible staff members at St. Michael’s Health Centre. Ralph had an amazing strong will, was full of stubbornness, and had an unbelievable perseverance. He never gave up on anything. His commitment to always move forward and be strong, prevailed with every challenge faced to him.
Please join us for a Funeral Service at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 6:00 P.M.  Refreshments will follow. 
In lieu of flowers, please remember Ralph by donating to St. Michael’s Health Centre (1400 – 9 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V5).
 To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com