It is with great sorrow and deep love that we mourn the passing of Kalman Hegedes, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. Kalman passed away peacefully on February 12, 2023 at the age of 88.

Kalman was predeceased by his wife, Regina, son Kalman and sisters Emilia and Terezija. He is survived by his two sons Jim (Kathy) and John (Cynthia), grandchildren Eric (Nisali), Allison (Coleton), Anton and Karlo, great-grandson Beauden, sister Kriztina (Freddie), nieces and nephews Erich, Martina, Daniela, Josefine, Elke, Marjan, Bernada, Marta, Stephan and Janes.

He grew up in Murska Sobota, when it was still part of Yugoslavia. At 17, Kalman risked a dangerous escape from the country. He lived in Austria for two years while waiting to immigrate to Canada. As a new immigrant, he was given five dollars and a bus ticket to Banff, where a job clearing the forest to build the highway was waiting for him. With nothing but the clothes he was wearing and the meager money in his pocket, Kalman went on to build a truly remarkable life.

While living in Canmore working construction jobs, the hard-working Kalman met a spirited young lady coming out of the post office. Her name was Regina Kerekes. Like him, Gina also went through a perilous escape from her home country of Hungary. They fell in love and got married.

They decided to move to Lethbridge based on a coin toss that Gina won. If Kal won instead, they would have moved to Calgary. Lethbridge became their forever home, where they would make many deep and lasting friendships. After many years of working as a foreman for Krahn Homes, Kal eventually established his own residential construction company, K. Hegedes Construction Ltd. It is no exaggeration to say that Kal helped build the city of Lethbridge as we know it, by building hundreds of homes before he retired in the early 2000’s.

Kal’s legacy is not only carried on through his kin but also through the craftsmanship and beauty in the homes he built around the city. He won many awards for the design and functionality of the homes he built. Unbeknownst to the thousands of people who have lived in the homes Kal built, their quality of life in some ways can be attributed to Kal’s humble craftsmanship and the painstaking care he put into everything he did.

Kalman Hegedes was a quiet man who lived with dignity. He was deeply religious and raised his sons with strong moral principles. As an entrepreneur, he conducted his business with unwavering honesty. He faced his heartbreaks and difficulties with admirable stoicism. He truly lived and died on his own terms. Kalman leaves this life to join his Maker as an inspiration to all of us on how to build a life through hard work and bravery.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 – 13 Street North, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 A.M with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.

Following the Funeral Mass, Kalman will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Regina in Mountain View Cemetery.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2023-02-12
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta