- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
- Shop now for incredible insights into your wellbeing -
John Henry Hodgson
1933 - 2011
John Henry Hodgson, ( known to many as “Hoik”, which was short for “Hercules”, a name he acquired from Reg Taylor because of his great strength) was born February 20, 1933 to Adolphus and Florastine Hodgson in Hay Lakes Alberta, where they lived until 1938. When John was 5 years old the family moved to Kotcho Lake and then to Kantah BC. before settling at Old Fort Nelson, BC.
John grew up at the Old Fort where he attended school. He loved to read and he was a very good writer.
When he was 18 years old, he went trapping with four pack dogs and stayed at the family cabin on the bank of the Nelson River. John said that he had a good year as he had 50 pelts by spring break up. He loved trapping and telling stories about his times in the bush. He was a strong man and would work hard when called upon to do so.
He did various jobs during his working years like fire fighting,construction, mud packing, seismic, swamping and other jobs as well.
In his late 20’s after working hard all winter, he decided to go on a holiday with his savings. He was found behind a hotel in Dawson Creek with his suitcase and his money gone. He had suffered a severe hit to his head that fractured the left side of his skull and did damage to a part of his brain. From this point on he had health problems like memory loss and dementia. John spent 5 years in Vancouver healing and regaining his memory before coming back to Fort Nelson.
John’s attitude toward life was that of a free spirit man after this incident. He hung his hat and rested wherever he happened to be at the end of the day did not spend much time worrying about the finer things in life like most people do today. He was a humble man, living life the way he saw fit. He was kind, humorous and he loved people. He was a little mischievous at times and most everyone liked John and kept an eye on him but still left him to live his own way.
John loved music and dancing. He played the fiddle and harmonica. When he was 48 years old, he went trapping with his nephew Roy Gairdner down at Prophet River. Brenda’s recollection of John was that he was very intelligent and she challenged him a lot with the dictionary. She said he would give her the correct meaning of every word she picked. She also said she learned during that time that he was very knowledgeable as well regarding bush life and trapping.
One winter John dressed up as Santa Claus and delivered present to the children in Prophet River. He enjoyed being a Santa and many times surprised children in Fort Nelson by delivering presents to their door at Christmas time. He was a regular Santa for many years.
One summer he even went prospecting with Bob Russel near Whitehorse. He enjoyed and was very interested in looking for base metals. They had a great time, he said, but we don’t know if they found any pay dirt.
Another of John’s favorite past times was to cruise around town with Pearl Thompson and see the sights and then come to the Friendship Center for coffee and a visit.
A few years ago, John moved to Dawson Creek and lived in the Rotary Manor. In February of 2011, John had a cancerous tumor removed. The operation was successful and he was recovering at the Rotary Manor. Plans were being made to move him back to Fort Nelson, however, he had a massive stroke on March 19th and passed away on March 24th in the Dawson Creek Hospital.
John was predeceased by his parents Adolphus and Florastine Hodgson, brothers Jimmy and Billy, Sisters Nora, Mary and Florence (Bonnie), and Nephews Roy Gairdner, David Jensen, Billy Gairdner, Nieces Florence ( Susie ) Jensen, Nora Jensen, Cousin Larry Hudson and great nieces Nikki Macdonald and Christine Gairdner.
He leaves to mourn his passing “all his species” the name he gave to his nieces and nephews that loved him so much, his other family members and his many friends.
Robert Rogers
1920 - 2011
Robert George Rogers resident of Fort St. John, British Columbia, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2011 at the age of 90 years.
A Funeral Services was held on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 1:00 pm at the Evangelical Mission, 8220 - 89th Avenue, Fort St. John, British Coulmbia.
Expression of sympathy in memory oif Robert may be made by donation to the Northern Canadian Evangellical Mission, c/o Evangelical Mission 8220 - 89th Avenue, Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 5S5
Minnie Alice Stevenson
1931 - 2011
Minnie Alice Stevenson of Williams Lake, BC formerly long time resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 79 years of age.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2011at 2:00pm at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel,
Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Pastor Cory Lizotte officiated.
Interment to follow in the Brookside cemetery,
Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Minnie, may be made by donation to the ‘Heart & Stroke Foundation, P.O. Box 714,
Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4H7
or
Compassion Canada
P.O. Box 5591 PS B CSC
London, Ontario N6A 9Z9
Arnold Mervyn Jonasen
Arnold Mervyn Jonasen, a 51-year resident of the Pouce Coupe, British Columbia area, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2011 at the age of 75. He was born June 4, 1935 in Lindale, Alberta, the second of seven children.
Arnold was married for 55 years to his wonderful wife, Zo. He was also the proud father of his five beautiful girls, Christine, Karen, Betty, Vicki and Pat; and Funny Papa Arnie to his 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He will always be remembered by his family and friends for his stunning blue eyes and booming voice. Arnold was known in the community for his down-to-earth personality and generosity, with one long-time employee describing him as crusty on the outside, but soft and kind on the inside.
Friends and family will also remember celebrating Arnold’s proud Norwegian heritage with his famous annual Christmas lutefisk parties, and sharing his love of skiing, swimming, farming, boating, fishing, travelling and sports.
Arnold began his career in the Dawson Creek area in 1960 as a car salesman, and he served as General Manager of Spir-Lok Industries for 25 years until his retirement in 1996.
Arnold will be dearly missed by his loving family, friends and, of course, his singing dog, Rascal.
A celebration of Arnold’s life will be held in July for his family and close friends.
Those wishing to make donations in Arnold’s memory may give to the Cancer Care Unit of the Dawson Creek & District Hospital.
Leon Leroy Augier
1963 - 2011
Sorrow fills our hearts this sad moment, a sorrow that is deep and personal Leon has silently closed the door of life and departed from us.
Leon Leroy Augier was born in Dawson Creek on March 19, 1963; he was the eldest son, of Gil and Ida Augier.
For the majority of his life Leon lived in the South Peace area, around Dawson Creek, He grew up in Puggins Mountain, Arras area, and then 23 years in Toms Lake, he left the Peace area for about four years living in Alberta first in Edmonton where he worked as a bridge builder then in Grande Prairie where he studied welding. In 1989, Toms Lake is where he would eventually make his permanent home.
Leon received his early education at Canalta and Central Schools, he was a welder by trade, and used his skills working for Northland Machine for 16 years, he also worked a few years for Bearing and Hydraulics.
For the past year Leon worked with the younger generation at the Nawican Friendship Centre where he was employed as a youth worker, Leon was so good with the local youths and anyone that happened to stop by at the Centre, his presence is and will be greatly missed, his soft spoken voice, understanding and guidance will be long remembered by the kids that loved him and called him a friend.
Already an artist, Leon decided to pursue and expand on his natural talents, he first took an art course at the Northern Lights College for a few months, then went to the Grande Prairie Regional College, where he received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Arts. His artistic talents were not limited he could sketch, paint, photography, but the one he enjoyed the most was metal art, either etching of shaping metals. So today we also say good-bye to a local artist.
Leon had a deep love for nature and the outdoors, he was attuned to all the natural elements, he loved the feeling of the wind, he loved the water, weather it was an ocean, lake, river or a dug out, the sun, his favorite season was winter, he loved the sparkle of frost as it clung to everything.
Leon spent a lot of his time camping with his family; they would make week-end excursions to the local lakes, rivers or creeks, or packing up the trailer and
heading down to the Okanogan or the coast. It was not surprising to the family if he took one of his kids and went on a jaunt to go kayaking, another of his favorite pastimes.
Leon’s greatest love was his Harley, there was nothing better than the feel of the wind on his face, he would go for long rides sometimes by himself or one of his family hugging his back, what started out a short ride could easily turn into an overnight trip, one summer he took a trip on his motorcycle and went up north to Alaska till he simply ran out of road, a few years ago he toured the west coast of the United States to Mexico, for seven weeks on his BMW.
Leon love to talk and was never short of words, it was nothing for him to walk up to a perfect stranger, start a conversation, and end up being a good friend, and he was a socializing expert.
He had a very busy mind, he was not happy doing one thing at a time but rather had a few projects on the go at the same time, this is probably why he was always jotting down notes, you hardy caught him without pen and paper in hand.
In 1986 he met Tanya, whom would be his life partner, Leon and Tanya had three children, Thomas who was born in 1987, their daughter Allyssa was born in 1991, and in 1995 Brenegan completed the family, that is, until the light of his life, granddaughter Cadence was born in the summer of 2009. These are the ones he leaves to mourn along with uncles, cousins, in laws and many friends too numerous to mention. Leon was predeceased by his Mother Ida, his Father Gil, and his Grandfather Robert.
Albert Einstein said “the value of a man should be seen what he gives and not what he is able to receive” In one word Leon was a man who gave, he gave much of his time to other people, that is why ladies and gentlemen as we are gathered here to say good-bye to him, here is a life that demanded notice, a life that burned so that others’ paths were lit.
Penny Lynn Wilk
1945-2011
Penny Lynn Wilk was born on November 29, 1945 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where she lived her entire life. She was the second child and the only girl of five children, born to Victor and Dorothy Wilk. She sadly passed away at the Dawson Creek & District Hospital on March 18, 2011 at the age of 65.
Penny attended school at the Tremblay elementary school then graduated from the South Peace Secondary school. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator for B.C. Tel. She then shared a home with a friend and co-worker named Ethel Deak, who later introduced Penny to her brother Bill. Bill and Penny were married on September 4, 1965. They started their life together in a downstairs apartment in town. In the fall of 1966 they bought a home of their own in the Canalta area. Their son Darren was born in 1967. For 9 years they kept the home but then moved out to their farm in Kilkerran. Every spring they would stay in a small cabin with no running water, moving back to town every fall.
The family recalls kind of a funny story to share with you. While staying at the cabin Penny got a shock when she looked out to see 6 year old Darren sitting in the yard playing with his toys, and not too far from him was a black bear also playing with Darren’s toys, flinging them around. Penny, in a panic called Mr. Hagloff across the road. Mr. Hagloff never packed a gun but he did show up with an axe, which that bear promptly took away from him. They all managed to escape across the road to Hagloff’s to await Bill's return. Bill got his rifle and went looking for the bear but it was nowhere to be found: Until two weeks later on a Sunday morning when Bill was in the outside biffy. He opened the door only to find the bear staring back at him. He made it back to the cabin with the bear following closely, but once Bill reached his rifle needless to say Penny never had to worry about that bear again!
In the fall during hunting season, Bill was such an avid hunter that Penny was usually left to do the fall move back to town all by herself. In the spring of 1977 she finally got fed up with moving so she gave Bill the ultimatum; either the farm or town. No more moving! Of course Bill chose the farm. They sold the house in town and built their new home on the farm where she lived until her passing.
Penny loved her home life and enjoyed her flower gardens and the many trees she and Bill planted together. She could often be seen wandering around the farm with her sheep Petunia who followed her everywhere.
Penny was an active member of the Kilkerran women’s institute as well as the Kilkerran Recreation Commission. She cooked for many events and was known far & wide for her delicious baked beans.
She may have had only 1 child of her own but she was a surrogate mother to many children from neighboring farms as she babysat often over the years.
Penny's parents and brothers moved away from Dawson Creek to Victoria shortly after she was married so they made a yearly trip to the Island to visit until her parents passing. Her one and only real vacation was a trip to Disneyland with Bill & Darren, other than that she just loved her home on the farm and was really content to stay right there. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed family gatherings with her grandchildren Kayla & Dallas and later on step grandchildren Jessica & Steven.
Penny & Bill always enjoyed playing cards and visiting with friends and neighbors who have all become lifelong friends.
In 1989 Penny took a bad fall injuring both legs and was flown to Vancouver. She never fully recovered from this accident and as the years went by she eventually needed a wheelchair, but never had idle hands. She was always busy with her crafts and bead work. Many who knew her will have a string of her beautiful beaded Christmas bells. We will have a lasting memory for years to come when we hang up Penny's bells.
Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, you will be terribly missed but we know you are at peace now. You will live forever in our hearts.
Earl George Newman
1933 - 2011
Earl George Newman was born at home on February 17, 1933 in Baytree, Alberta.
Earl passed away on March 15, 2011 28, at the age of 78.
A memorial service was held on March 22, 2011 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Reverend Marilyn Carroll officiated and Mabel Hunder shared Earl’s eulogy with a tribute from his nephew Darrell Czaban.
Earl was cremated and inurnment will be at a later date in the Briar Ridge Cemetery, East Pouce Coupe, British Columbia.
Earl will be fondly remembered by his wife of 29 years Dee Newman.
His siblings: Phyllis (Nick) Czaban; Joyce (Jack) Pfau; and Philip Newman.
Sister in-laws Margery Lewicki and Pauline Rogers.
Nieces and Nephews Darrell Czaban, Susan Czaban, Shelley McPhail, Catherine Shilson, Tracey Nugent, Mitchell Pfau, Shane Newman, Juanita Newman, Brent Newman, Brenda Noll, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Earl is predeceased by his parents Philip and Alice Newman and brother Donald Newman.
