Obituary of Jo Herfort

April 24, 1931 - Stavely, Alberta

January 13, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Johanna (Jo) Herfort (nee Unruh), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at the age of 92 years.

Jo was born in Stavely, AB, and then as a toddler, the family moved to Vauxhall, AB. This is where her formative years were spent, and she considered this home, even after living in Calgary for a few decades. She left Vauxhall to go to the School for Nursing Aides in Calgary, and she graduated in April 1953. She worked at the Calgary General Hospital on the Pediatrics floor and then moved to the Isolation floor during the second Polio epidemic. Jo married Henry Herfort on April 12, 1958, and had two children, Carol and Leo. They bought their house in 1960 on 29 Ave SW, and both Henry and Jo were able to live in this house until the end of their lives.

Jo is survived by her daughter Carol of Calgary; son Leo (Brenda) of Mission, BC; four precious grandchildren, Andrew (Jess) of Leduc, AB, Briana (Rock) of Vancouver, BC, and Timothy and Matthew of Mission, BC. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Mary Unruh of Vauxhall and Sue Unruh of Enchant, AB. Jo was predeceased by her forever love Henry, parents, Elizabeth and Dave Unruh, as well as six siblings, Dave (Esther) Unruh, Pete (Ann) Unruh, Abe (Helen) Unruh, Henry Unruh, Liz (Steely) Rempel, and Jake Unruh.

Funeral Services will be held at First Church of the Nazarene (65 Richard Way SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Herfort’s service streamed live on the day of the service at https://youtube.com/live/pUPF0Py3tMw?feature=share. Internent will be held at the Vauxhall Alberta Mennonite Brethren Cemetery (Vauxhall, AB T0K 2K0) on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at the Vauxhall Senior Centre (318 5 St N, Vauxhall, AB T0K 2K0).

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Johanna’s family here.

In living memory of Johanna Herfort, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.