- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Kenneth James Papp
1955-2002
A memorial service for the late Kenneth James Papp was held on Friday, October, 4, 2002 at 2:00 pm at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek. Father Chris Lynch officiated. Eulogy read by Rick Papp:
EULOGY OF KENNETH JAMES PAPP
I would like to welcome all of you to this celebration of the life of Kenneth James Papp. He was known by many as Ken, by two very special people, my Mom and Dad, as son by myself, Ron, Larry, Doug, Mike, Jen, Sharon, and Michele as brother by some as best friend, by three as companion, and by a very precious three ... Christopher, David and Sarah... as Dad.
Ken was a resident of Dawson Creek BC for the past four-plus years and prior to that had been a resident of the Arras area, west of Dawson Creek BC, for several years. He also lived and worked in Fort St. John, Granisle and Tumbler Ridge, and prior to that lived in a beautiful log cabin in the Farmington area, rented from dear friends Joe and Julie Magussen. He was born and raised in Dawson Creek, and lived here whenever his heavy duty mechanic career or other jobs didn't take him elsewhere.
Ken was taken from us suddenly the morning of Friday, September 27th, very close to the mighty Peace River near Hudson's Hope, B.C.
Ken was born in the old St. Joseph's hospital in Dawson Creek on March 1st, 1955. He was welcomed into this world by our father James Samuel Papp and our mother Frances Agnes Papp. Ken was the fourth child in a family of nine. Six boys and much to Mom's relief, finally three girls.
Ken attended Notre Dame School, and like many of his brothers, served as an altar boy. He was also very creative when repairing things. He could always come up with an ingenious solution or a brilliant innovation to get the job done.
Ken played hockey as a young man, and we all played baseball and soccer in the summer. He aspired to be a dentist, but he was becoming very interested in the Caterpillars and heavy equipment Dad repaired and tested while working at Finning Tractor. It was always a thrill for him and us to accompany Dad back to work for overtime because if we were really lucky, and we often were, he would give us a ride on one of the huge machines.
After high school, Ken began the schooling and apprenticeship necessary to become a journeyman heavy duty mechanic and then worked to maintain huge fleets of very heavy equipment. After working in this very needed trade for over 15 years, Ken’s hands became considerably less useful due to fingers having been broken on the job. He had some difficulty deciding what to do as a new occupation, or rather what he would be able to do. He finally went back to school again and got his air brakes endorsement and class 1 driver’s license.
Over the past two years he has been running tractor trailer units to and from several destinations. On his last job he was driving a Super B combination with two trailers loaded with logs, which means well over 100,000 pounds of total weight. Ken was a brave soul and not afraid to take on a new and difficult task.
Come to think of it there have been a few times in Ken's life when he had to rise to the occasion. This story was related to me by my nephew David....
On one of his many hunting trips, taken as much for solitude and pleasure as for the meat gained, he encountered a family of grizzlies. Seeing only one small bear at first, he was relatively calm. He thought that when he stood and held up his gun, the bear would simply turn and leave. Unfortunately, the bear charged him and he was forced to shoot it. Then, before he even had time to think, "MOMMY" stood up! Ken was shocked, horrified by the realization of what he'd just done. He had shot a mother bear's cub, and he had to get the hell out of there fast! Meanwhile, his son David and brother Larry heard the gunshots. Thinking he'd gotten a moose, they began heading down the hill towards Ken. Seeing the two of them walking in his direction, he franticly waved his arms to make them stop. Then turning back and seeing an extremely angry mother bear coming towards him, he had no choice but to open fire on her. The first shot dropped her, and he thought he had a moment to collect his thoughts, but "MOMMY" stood up again! He shot her again and this time assumed she was down for good. However, the moment he began to walk away, she stood up for the third time! Terrified that she might actually make it past him to David and Larry, who had no gun, he shot her a third time knocking her to the ground. Unbelievably she managed to raise her head and lift her body slightly at which point he fired the final and fatal shot.
By this point Ken was so shaken that he literally ran up the hill with his gun in one hand and his son in the other all the way back to the Jeep. Larry, still not quite sure how many grizzlies were back there, struggled to keep up.
Now you may be thinking this is not a story about bravery, but he did continue to go hunting.
The only thing that Ken had a white knuckle fear of was flying. However, when his Father passed away in 2000, he overcame his fear to fulfill his Father's last wishes and scatter the ashes from a plane over Stuart Lake. He swore this would be the last time he ever flew.
Ken was in many ways a lucky man... like the time he shot a moose, then went over to check things out only to discover a second moose hidden in behind the first one - the bullet had gone through one moose and hit the other - two moose with one single bullet! Ken was not only lucky he was also thrifty.
Ken was generally a quiet man and kept his feelings and opinions within. However, if any one of his children or family or friends were in need of help, Ken was always there to help out wherever he could. Though the path of life was sometimes very difficult and challenging for Ken, he approached challenges with determination and always persevered through thick and thin.
Ken was a loyal and faithful friend to all, especially his immediate family. He will always be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, understanding and giving person. He gave his love unconditionally and equally to all his children, and he was very much a strong but quiet and determined leader, father and brother for all to follow.
Ken will be sadly missed by all who had the great fortune to know him. Ken was predeceased by his Father, James Samuel Papp on November 25, 2000, his brother Ronald Anthony on August 15, 1980 and sister Sharon Maureen on October 21, 1993.
He is survived by his sons Christopher James of Medicine Hat, Alberta, and David of Dawson Creek and daughter Sarah, also of Dawson Creek. He is survived also by his mother Frances Agnes Papp Jones of Dawson Creek, BC and brothers and sisters: Richard Earnest of Surrey, BC, Larry Dennis of Dawson Creek, Douglas Allan of Dawson Creek and Michael Joseph of Pouce Coupe, Jennifer Susan of Vanderhoof BC and Michele Marguerite of Sirdar, BC.
Dear brother Ken in your final moments we were all so unprepared, and we know that you also had no time to prepare.
We all wish that the Lord and time would be on our side so we could have been with you to hold you and help you over to the other side. Ken it is okay, your suffering is finally over and you fought a real long and difficult battle in life, truly a fine and honourable soldier!
You will always be remembered for the caring and giving person that you consistently were here with us! Also the close brother and father who inspired us and will continue to inspire all of us to be the best we can! I wish we could all tell you again how much we love you and care for you!
Dear Ken We Love You, and now will say so long until we meet you on the other side. I commend your spirit to the Lord…… yet know deep in my heart that you will always be with us!
Chris, David and Sarah have requested that I read this for their father:
The clock of life is wound but once.….and no man has the power
To tell just when the hand will stop………….at late or early hour
Now is the only time you own…..…Live, Love and toil with a will
Place no faith in tomorrow………...for the clock may then be still
Memorial Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek - Fort St. John.
Florence Loiselle
1918-2002
A funeral service was held for the late Florence Loiselle a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. on September 26th, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. from Notre Dame Catholic Church. Fr. Chris Lynch officiated interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery.
Florence was born on September 20th, 1918 in the small farming community of Norquary, Saskatchewan. Florence and her twin sister, Emma, were the youngest of seven children.
Florence spent her first eleven years on the family farm in Saskatchewan. Like many families in the difficult times of the late 1920's and early 1930's Florence’s parents, Henry and Josephine Haugen, planned to re-settle in the Peace River Country.
Tragically, Florence’s mother would never make that trip. Following her mother’s death in January, 1930 the Haugen family left Saskatchewan to start a new life in the Peace River Country. The death of her mother when Florence was only 11 would profoundly effect her for all of her life.
Florence grew up, working extremely hard on the family farm, attending school as much as possible, and often when her father thought it impossible. On many occasions in the most bitter weather, Florence and Emma would sneak out of the house to hitch the horse and trek off to school.
In 1937, a new family moved into the district. It wasn’t long before the eldest son, Romeo, was paying frequent visits to the Haugen farm. Apparently Romeo passed the vigorous tests on his acceptability as a suitor by the fact that the Haugen dogs loved and accepted Romeo immediately. On Christmas Eve, 1938 Florence and Romeo were married.
Florence and Romeo had four daughters and were blessed with a wonderful marriage filled with love and dedications to each other. The romance and playfulness was magically present during all of their 56 years together.
Florence was a dedicated wife and mother who worked along side Romeo during difficult and good times. Florence extended her love and care giving far beyond her immediate family, offering her help to extended family, friends and strangers, as the need arose. Florence was very community conscious and was one of the founding members of the Fynn’s corner sewing group, thru which organization she helped to serve the community during its over 30-year life.
Times were far from easy during Florence’s early life and her formal education was prematurely halted, however, her desire for knowledge was continuously pursued through self-study and ravenous reading. This did not fully satisfy Florence however and after her children had grown, she returned to school after being away for more than 45 years.
To no one’s surprise except Florence, she excelled in her studies and attained her high school equivalency certificate with highest honors and a scholarship to continue her studies at the University level. Florence’s pursuit of knowledge continued all of her life, she followed world events closely and remained the family crossword champ to the very end.
Florence was also an accomplished cook and baker, attested to by the hundreds of ribbons she won at the local fall fair. While humble about her culinary skills, she was happiest putting on a wonderful meal for family or friends and there was always room at Florence’s table for one or five more unexpected visitors, who were often greeted by the aroma of bread baking in the oven.
Florence was a complex and intelligent woman, both extremely humble and very proud. Her life was centered around her family. She loved Romeo without limit and cared deeply for her daughters, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Florence also loved animals and had many beloved pets over the years but she also provided care to strays and supported many animal rescue organizations.
Florence loved sports, particularly baseball and followed most of the games on T.V. She would fondly recount the joy she experienced playing baseball as a girl in Saskatchewan. She often wistfully mused how much she would have enjoyed learning to play golf. Florence loved playing canasta with the family and was the unrivaled canasta champ.
Florence passed away on September 21st, 2002 one day after her 84th birthday, surrounded by the love of her family.
Florence leaves to mourn her four daughters, Jeanette Oglove (Dawson Creek) Janice McIntosh (Mission) Eleanore Owen (Toronto) Rita Loiselle (Vancouver). Six beloved grandchildren and five treasured great-grandchildren, her brother Pat Haugen and may beloved sisters and brother-in-laws as well as many, many cherished nieces and nephews and countless friends.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Mary Magdelena Vossler
In Loving Memory of Mary Magdelena Vossler
Mary was born on March 17th, 1914, she passed away in Kelowna, B.C. on March 9th, 2002 at the age of 88 years.
A graveside service was held on Monday, September 30th, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. from the Brookside Cemetery Dawson Creek, B.C. Bev Dunsmore officiated.
Mary came to Dawson Creek from Medicine Hat, Alberta with her husband Fred and daughter Dolores in 1942. She resided here in Dawson Creek until 1994 when she moved to Kelowna to be with her daughter, after the passing of her husband in 1993.
Mary will be sadly missed by her daughter Dolores (John) Thomson, her granddaughters, Dianne Dufresne, Cathy (Garry) Snell, Brenda (Brent) Jackson, and great grandchildren Stepanie Snell, and Taylor Jackson, also other relatives and friends.
Arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Bill Cardinal
1923-2002
Bill Cardinal, a long time resident of Chetwynd, B.C. passed away on September 5th, 2002, at the age of 79 years.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, September 11th, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. at the Elks Hall in Chetwynd, B.C. Pastor Bill Evans officiated and interment followed in the Tuscoola Mountain Cemetery.
Bill was born in Fort Vermillion, Alberta May, 14th, 1923. He was the eldest of six children. Bill met his wife Kathy in 1945 and together they had 11 children of their own.
Bill, Kathy and clan moved to Chetwynd in March 1961, and it became the place he called home until September, 5th, 2002. Bill worked most of his life in the forest industry, eventually retiring from Canfor, Chetwynd Division in 1988.
Bill was many things to many people; husband, father, brother, uncle, granddad and great granddad and most of all a friend.
Bill had many interests in his life, his love of horses, going to the trapline, and family gatherings, even if he only stayed for five minutes his visits were short and sweet but his presence was strong and is everlasting.
It seemed Bill was happiest with his head under the hood of a car or his feet sticking out from underneath. He has left his stories and his memories with his wife Kathy, children and grandchildren: Wilfred (Doreen), Roger, Gary (Bertha), Billie ( Jesse), Beau, Gail (Ivan), Sam (Nikki), Zack (Kelly), Ken (Bev), Josh (Crystal), Joe, Ron (Cindy), Gloria (Murry), Bobbie, Bev (Blake), Jackie, Samantha, Shirl (Henery), Tammy (Lee), Tyson, Wayne, Toni (Josh), Ajax, Val, Jason, Quinn, Cindy (Dave), Mac, Jeff, Delano, Gwen, Rou, Chester, Dallas (Laurie), Ashley, Nathan, Curtis (Sonya), Jesse, Jordana, Carrie, Tanya, Rachel, Kole, Kala.
Great Grandchildren: Cody, Carly, Brogan, Nicole, Teagan, Star-lynn, Desi, Ryley, Bradol, Sterling, Tejhas, Mystic, Nick, Jaylene, Jayden, Sasha, Betty-Anne, Parker, Reece, Ethan, Brandon, Bailey, Cheridan, Gavin,
Siblings: Rita, Celina, Teresa, Frank, Joe,
Pets: Huskey.
Funeral arrangements were under the care of Reynars Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Dawson Creek, B.C.
Hermann Theodor Folster
1924-2002
Hermann Folster, long time resident of Pouce Coupe, passed away at his home on September 13, 2002 at the age of 78. A memorial service was held at 11:00 am on September 30, 2002 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek. Following the service, Hermann’s cremated remains were interred in the Riverview Cemetery, Pouce Coupe, British Columbia.
The youngest of 13 children, he was born in Fole, Denmark on March 22, 1924 to Hermann and Catharine Folster. He grew up on the family farm about half way between Fole and Gram (Denmark). It was here that he first took an interest in the outdoors, hunting Roe deer on the neighboring farms and fishing for eel in the nearby creeks.
In 1949 he chose to immigrate to Canada. He spent his first summer working on his cousin Barney Norden's farm near Tilly, Alberta. In the fall, with the farming done, Hermann found a job on a seismic crew and headed north towards Fort Nelson. In 1954 he began operating a Texaco station in Pouce Coupe.
1963 found Hermann living in Dawson Creek and managing the Minneapolis Moline Tractor dealership. Later that year he met his future wife, Tillie, and they were married in 1965. In 1968, with their first child (Cathy) on the way, Hermann and Tillie moved back to Pouce Coupe. One year later their second child (Rodney) was born.
From 1971-1977, Hermann went back into business for himself, once again operating the Texaco station in Pouce Coupe. It was then that he started the traditional Pouce Coupe July 1st pancake breakfast.
Following heart surgery in 1980, Hermann went into early retirement.
Throughout his years as a resident of Pouce Coupe, Hermann was involved in many village functions, including being an Alderman, sitting on the village's chamber of commerce, volunteer fire-fighter, and in his later years he was on the board of variance.
It never seemed to take much convincing to talk Hermann into going fishing or hunting or just to take a drive to see how much the country side had changed due to progress.
Hermann was predeceased by his wife Tillie, father Hermann, mother Catharine, and eleven brothers and sisters.
Hermann will be fondly remembered by his daughter, Cathy (Clayton) Holland, his son, Rodney (Susan) Folster; grandchildren Janelle, Trisha, Abbey, David, and Ashleigh; brother, Henry (Hannah) Folster; several nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
Memorial arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek - Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Muriel Melin
1913-2002
Muriel Ruth Melin of Dawson Creek, BC, passed away suddenly in Coronation, Alberta at the age of seventy-three years. Funeral services were held August 26th, 2002, at 2:00 pm at South Peace United Church with the Reverend Judy Hare officiating.
Ruth was born on July 8th, 1929, in Shell River, Manitoba; daughter and youngest child of three children, to Fred and Ruby McDuffe. She grew up on a farm west of Roblin, Manitoba, with her two brothers, Chuck and Jack. Ruth was a tomboy at heart. She did her fair share of chores both in the house and outside, which is where she learned her strong work ethic. Ruth was often found playing practical jokes on her mom and dad, one of her many activities when the chores were done.
As a young woman, Ruth was very sociable and popular with everyone. She enjoyed playing ball, curling, and attending weekly dances at the Shell Valley Community Hall with her family, which she enjoyed thoroughly. She was a wonderful dancer all the rest of her life. Ruth moved to Rolla, BC, in 1949, but always maintained constant communication with her parents and the friends she left behind.
Ruth's career life included working at the Rolla General Store, becoming a wife and mother, working for a Dawson Creek dentist, a receptionist and admitting clerk at St. Joseph's General Hospital, and finally as a counsellor at Canada Manpower, where she officially retired in 1988. For several years after that, Ruth thoroughly enjoyed acting as a marriage commissioner. On occasion she would be called back to work as a counsellor at Job Search.
Ruth was a devoted mother. She was extremely proud of her children, step-children and grandchildren. Each had a special relationship with Ruth and she thoroughly enjoyed getting their weekly news from afar or at the kitchen table. She loved it when the family all gathered together where they would all laugh, eat, converse, and even 'debate'!! Recalling the holidays, it is remembered how, when blessing their meal, Ruth would always include those family members who were not there to enjoy the festivities.
Ruth loved entertaining and cooking for friends and family. She was a committed community member who, through the years, acted on the executives of the Hospital Auxiliary, Royal Purple, and South Peace Hospice/ Palliative Care Society. For many years Ruth was an involved member of the Dawson Creek community bowling leagues. She could also be found in front of the television knitting or crocheting while watching the Scott Tournament of Hearts or the Briar, with Bud, or in her craft room. In recent years, quilting became Ruth's most enjoyable hobby.
Ruth's passion for life was evident in her warm and generous smile, the sparkle of fun in her eyes, and her wonderful sense of humour that guaranteed one of having at least one or two hearty laughs each day. She was a person who had strong values. Ruth believed that people needed to take responsibility and be accountable for their actions. With kindness she brought that out in everyone she met by taking them under her wing and supporting them unconditionally. She had a love of life that drew people to her like a magnet.
Ruth wrote the following on one of her grandchildren's graduation cards: "Stand tall, be honest, and be kind to others, especially yourself." That was what she believed and it was how she lived. Ruth held a master's degree in human relations and a doctorate in life. Those of us who knew and loved her were blessed.
Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her husband and best friend, Bud, her four children Heather Woodwark (Wayne Kostiuk), Randy Miller (Heather), Rob Miller (Lynda), Janet Loiselle (Shane), grandchildren Stephanie and Jill Woodwark, Scott, Jason, and Alissa Miller, Meagan, Jenni, and Jay Miller and Kassi and Kodi Loiselle, Bud's children, Verona Lea Flanders (Glenn), Lura LaPointe (Denis), and Lome Melin, along with grandchildren Jennifer and Brett Flanders and Jeffrey and Michael LaPointe. Many dear friends will also remember Ruth with affection.
