Russel Daniel Balaberda, beloved husband and best friend of Donna Balaberda (nee Schafer) of Medicine Hat, passed away on Saturday, October 28th, 2017 and left this earth to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Russel made a personal commitment to accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He battled cancer for the last five years which in the end took his arm and his heart. He fought a hard battle to the end and now has gone home to be with his heavenly Father. Russel was born in Saskatchewan and was raised on a farm near Fenwood. He worked 33 years in the Boilermakers Union as a Welder and then worked 10 years for the City of Medicine Hat at his retirement job which he loved. Russel was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary; as well as his brother, Raymond. He is very thankful to God for giving him his wife, Donna, who was the love of his life, best friend and most of all his earth angel who took care of him in his time of need. Russel also leaves to mourn his memory his two daughters, Suzanne Jones (Paul Deminick) and Joanne (Ray) Gow; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald (Linda); two sisters, Rita (Henry) and Beverly (Keith); and one sister-in-law, Julie. Good-bye to a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We will always love and miss you until we meet again. A special thank you to Dr. Duke, Dr. Lategan and all the other doctors and nurses who took care of him during his illness.