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Gladys Jeanette Crocker
1913 - 2002
Gladys Jeanette Crocker, resident of Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, former resident of Bonanza, Alberta, passed away on June 6, 2002 in Pouce Coupe at 89 years of age. A funeral service was held at 1:00 pm on June 12, 2002 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, BC, with Pastor Dave Brisbin officiating. Interment followed in the Hillhaven Cemetery, Bonanza, Alberta.
Eulogy written by Dorothy Mines:
We have gathered here today to honour and remember the life of Gladys Jeanette Crocker, affectionately known as ‘Toots’, one held dear to her family and to her many friends.
She was born on May 26,1913 to parents, William and Jean Baldwin, at Rowley, Alberta. She attended the little two roomed school at Rowley until her senior grades. As she was not career minded, and as money at that time was not abundant, she decided to remain at home to help with the many farm duties. Dishwashers, electric stoves, microwaves, automatic washers and dryers were not vogue in those days.
About this time, Earl Joseph Crocker came into her life and they married. Due to the ill health of her father, she and Earl stayed on at the Baldwin farm to assist her parents. During this time, they were blessed with a daughter, Norma Jean, in 1937, twin sons, Russell, and Ronald in 1939, and daughter, Sandra in 1948.
They heard of property for sale in the Bonanza area, and so the decision to move north became reality. Gladys’ father had passed away in 1954, and so her mother sold the family farm, and with their family of four, Gladys and Earl made the big move in 1955.
Their family married, and all but Sandra settled in the Bonanza area, Sandra having moved to Quesnel, and later to Prince George.
They enjoyed their life in the new community, and made many good and lasting friendships.
After the loss of her husband in 1977, Gladys remained on the farm until 1982 when she moved to Heritage Heights in Dawson Creek. She resided there until 1995, when her health began to fail, and she chose to become a resident of Peace River Haven. She accepted well her new life style, and for a time was able to make short trips to visit family. Later, she was unable to travel, but if she missed it, she never complained.
Gladys spent many hours doing hobbies such as knitting and crocheting, the family being the recipients of her many lovely creations. She loved to cook, and make family dinners, especially for birthdays, and other special times. Above all, she loved her family, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and it was a joy to receive their visits from the time they were babies until her last days.
Gladys is survived by her son, Russell (Helen) Crocker; daughter, Sandra (Lloyd) Riehl; daughter-in-law, Gwen Viken; sister, Dorothy Mines; as well as eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and many other family relatives.
She was pre-deceased by her husband, Earl in 1977; daughter, Norma Jean in 1989; son, Ronald in 1991; grandson, Charles in 1997; her father in 1954, and her mother in 1981.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Boorman and his associates and to all the staff at Peace Haven for the care they have provided for many years.
Lothar Hans Triebel
1933 – 2002
Lothar Hans Triebel, resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia passed away on June 5, 2002 in Dawson Creek.
A funeral service was held at 11:00 am on June 10, 2002 at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, with Father Chris Lynch officiating. Interment followed at the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek.
Eulogy:
Our Opa, Lothar Triebel, was born to Hans and Elisabeth on October 8, 1933, in Konderitz, East Germany, and was raised in nearby Saalfeld. His sister Hannelore completed the family in 1937. Opa was born during the depression and spent most of his childhood years in wartime. When the American soldiers were stationed nearby, they would supply Opa and his buddies with chocolate and cigarettes, in return the boys would pull pranks on the soldiers. Opa was famous for wandering around town, picking up unexploded shells, and leaving them in his pockets for his mother to find later. He remembered getting more than one licking over that trick!
After the war, Opa's home in East Germany was under communist rule. By age 14, Opa knew he didn't want that type of life. He arranged to escape with his friend Rudi, however, at the last moment, plans changed, and Opa was left behind, it would be nearly 50 years before he saw Rudi again. Opa returned home and went to school where he studied watchmaking. Finally at age 17, he jumped the border on his own, sneaking across between patrols and spending wet, cold nights in bombshell holes and ditches.
Once in West Germany, Opa was taken in by his aunt. He found work in an optics factory where they valued the keen eyes of watchmakers for assembly. He was certified as a watchmaker in 1951, scoring 91% on his final exam. When living in Nurnberg, Opa spent much of his free time traveling on his motor scooter to dances and festivals in nearby towns.
Opa emigrated to Canada in 1955. He started work as a watchmaker in a Toronto sweatshop. He jumped at the chance to move to Medicine Hat, Alberta, in 1957, when a friend extended an invitation to work there. In Medicine Hat, Opa found a vibrant German Community to socialize with.
Around this time, Lothar began corresponding with his sister's friend Brigitte Wolf, who was back in Germany. After three years, Lothar and Brigitte decided that they wanted to meet in person. Brigitte came over on a 30 day visa. In this short period of time, Omi and Opa realized they were in love and were married on January 28, 1961. Gerald arrived in November of that same year.
At this time Opa got the itch to strike out on his own. They packed up all their belongings and set out north in the spring of 1962, destination unknown. Opa and Omi stopped in Grande Prairie and assessed their chances at making a living there. After checking out Dawson Creek too, they decided that Dawson had better prospects at that time, as it was larger and more prosperous! They spent their first few nights in the Pouce Coupe park. Maybe that planted the seed for Opa's lifelong love affair with the Peace Country, which kept him here for the remainder of his life.
Opa started business with Walter Wilk in June of 1962. Roland was born in October of '62. The Triebels lived in a basement suite for some time, and then, in November of 1963, Lothar, Brigitte and the boys moved to 95th Avenue -1000 square feet of their own home. Vera came along to complete the family in March of 1964; a baby girl finally, who quickly became Papa's little girl.
The business grew along with the family. Opa made a huge effort to learn proper English because he felt the need to communicate with his customers. In those days a watchmaker could make a very good living, but finally, after pressure from customers, he began to stock jewelry. That was a decision he was later grateful for, many times, as the watch trade diminished over the years. The 1970's were an especially prosperous time, benefiting from Opa's honesty and integrity. As the business grew, Opa employed a number of salespeople over the years, who, on slow Saturday mornings, learned all Opa’s stories about the old days.
As the family and business blossomed, so did Opa's love of the outdoors and his precious free time. He made the most of both by purchasing property, first at One Island Lake and later at Moberly Lake and Azu Ski Village. Opa cherished the time he was able to spend with his family relaxing, whether kayaking at Moberly Lake, or skiing in the mountains, we could always tell Opa was having a good time when he began to yodel.
Lothar and Brigitte enjoyed the company of the German community in Dawson Creek. They danced many nights away out at Tomslake with the Koch's, Bopp's and other wonderful friends. In 1967, the whole family started skiing. After a while, the Sunday afternoon activity became a passion, and weekends were soon spent at Azu Ski Village. Opa became an expert on skiing and ski equipment that not even the sport shops could rival. He intimidated many a salesperson with his knowledge.
Opa, Nick Koch, and the boys, teamed up to build the cabin in 1978. From then on Opa never stopped working to improve it. The only thing that would stop Opa's Sunday skiing was an avalanche, a wedding, or one of us grandkids’ celebrations. He was happiest when his skis were on, the sun was shining, and the snowboarders were still in bed!
Throughout the eighties all three children branched out. Gerald and Melanie, Vera and Kevin, Roland and Debbie, all started families of their own. The grandchildren soon rapidly filled up the ski cabin, but there is still room for the baby on the way. Opa’s greatest delight was seeing the grandkids on skis. He always provided us with any equipment that we needed to maintain our interest in skiing. Opa was not always able to say what he felt but he always showed his love through his giving.
Opa and Omi took several holidays back home to Germany. He renewed many old friendships on his visits, but he was always grateful to come home. He was proud to be a Canadian citizen. All in all, for Opa, home really was the castle, whether it was in Dawson, Azu, or the Lake.
In the last year or so, Opa finally began to treat himself to an extra day off during the week. He used his weekends this winter to log an amazing 650,000 vertical feet of skiing, which he documented faithfully in his ski diaries. He also spent countless hours puttering away at the odd jobs that never seemed to be finished. In fact, on his last day he was out working in front of the store and visiting with an old friend.
Schlaf Gut Opa,
We'll miss you.
Lothar was predeceased by his wife, Brigitte in 1996.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Gerald (Melanie) Triebel, Roland (Debbie) Triebel, and Vera (Kevin) Lorenscheit; grandchildren, Andrew, Brandon, Caitlyn, and Ethan Triebel, Sherida, Celina, and Chelsey Lorenscheit; and by his sister, Hannelore (Theo) Schöps.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Donald Allen Kirschman
1934 – 2002
Donald Allen Kirschman, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2002 in his 68th year, following a long battle with cancer. A memorial service was held at 2:00 pm on May 30, 2002 at the South Peace United Church, Dawson Creek, with Pastor Gary Henderson officiating. Don’s cremated remains were interred in the Brookside Cemetery, following the service.
Don was born on February 18, 1934 in Galahad, Alberta, one of five children born to Jacob and Magdelana Kirschman. Not long after Don’s birth, the family moved to Donalda, then to Forestburg, where Don’s father worked as a mechanic in a garage for a farm machinery dealership.
Don’s family life was a happy one, with loving parents and a mother who believed in the Lord. She believed that the Lord always walked beside her, never giving up. She seemed to have the strength of many people put together.
Don spent the years from grade 3 to grade 11 in Edmonton, he loved growing up there. After school, he worked in the garage with his father. When Don was 14 his father was killed in the garage, in spite of the tragedy, Don continued to work there. At 17, he moved to Calgary and worked for White Trucks, then for a short time, worked as a mechanic in Beaverlodge. He moved back to Calgary and got married for the first time in 1955, at 21 years old.
He went on to work for Miller Motors as a Shop Foreman. During that time, he met Bill McCoy, who offered him a job. By 1958, he was sales manager of the trailer division for McCoys. He had a great relationship with them; they were more like friends than employers.
In December of 1958, he moved to Winnipeg, working for Kenworth Trucks. He spent five years in Winnipeg, during which, his first marriage ended. He moved back to Calgary again, working for White Motors Company until 1969, when McCoys asked him to become the Territory Sales Manager for their Dawson Creek and Fort St. John branches. Eventually, he became the co-owner of United Spring & Brake Ltd., and Nor-Tech Welding and Fabricating Inc.
He had originally intended to come to Dawson Creek for 5 years, but it became an extraordinarily long 5 years! In 1975, he met his second wife, Shirley, and they enjoyed a great partnership and marriage.
He loved Dawson Creek and being involved in the community. One of his greatest joys came from helping others.
Don was an avid supporter of the Legion, a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and of the Rotary Club, he served as city counsellor from 1986-1989, and he was named Dawson Creek’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ in 2001. At the BC Liberal annual general meeting, he received the 2000-01 ‘May Brown Award’. As well, Premier Gordon Campbell visited him in the hospital last week.
Diagnosed with liver cancer three years ago, Don was forced to take things a little slower, but he never let it stop him or his love of life. He loved to cook, and on his better days, he loved to travel and socialize in the community.
In closing, here are some parting words from Don:
‘Don’t be sad, rejoice that I have lived a full life.’
‘Remember – life will only be what you make of it.’
Don will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Shirley; his children: Cheryl Kirschman, Arlette Drader, Sheila (John) Watt, Brenda (Charles) Neumann, and David (Linda) Kirschman; grandchildren, Brandon, Georgia, Heather, Keith and Shaun; great-grandchildren, Libby and Justice; and sister, Judy (Mike) Mikuska.
Memorial Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Rosie (Rose) Neagele
1907 - 2002
Rose Neagele, resident of the North Peace Care Center, Ft. St. John and former resident of the North Okanogan passed away on April 18, 2002 at the age of 94.
A memorial Mass was held at 7:00pm on April 23, 2002 at the Church of the Resurrection, Fort St. John, British Columbia. Father Tom Shymko officiated. Rose will be laid to rest with her husband Florian on April 27, 2002 in the Armstrong – Spallumcheen Cemetery, Armstrong, BC.
Rose was born on October 10, 1907 to George and Beada Kopp in Rastadt, Russia. She was the second oldest child in a family of eight. In 1912, she immigrated to Canada with her family on the ship Notre Dame. Rose attended school until she passed into grade five. At the age of 12 she went to work on a ranch to help support her family. In later years when she was on her own she became a housekeeper for a Catholic priest.
In 1931, her eldest sister and future sister-in-law set her up on a blind date. After a lengthy courtship of two weeks, she married Florian Neagele. In 1936, they relocated to the North Okanogan area of BC, and started a homestead in Trinity Valley. Here they
took up mixed farming and logging while raising a family of four. At retirement, they moved to Enderby and later Armstrong. In 1982, shortly after their 50th wedding
anniversary, Florian passed away. In 1983, Rose moved to Ft. St. John to be closer to family where she resided in the Peace
Lutheran Apartments. Here she made many new friends and traveling partners. While her health permitted she took many local, Canadian, and European tours. She enjoyed traveling very much. Rose became a member of the Catholic Women's League in 1943 and throughout the years she was an active member in this organization.
Rose will be remembered for her ability to see the humorous side of daily events and share a chuckle with those around her. She would often boast her family was the best.
During her retirement her hobby was crocheting, at which she spent many hours on a daily basis. Her handiwork was given away to relatives and friends who greatly appreciated her craft. And yes, she did not forget the guys in her family, they too were given afghans. At one time she crocheted hundreds of rosaries, which were given to folks in needy countries. If
there was a loose ball of wool around her apartment, it would be made into something.
Rose is survived by her children Ludwig ‘Lou’ (Margaret) Neagele, of Cache Creek BC, Elinora (Donald ‘Herb’) Green, of Smithers BC, Fran (Phil) MacLachlan, of Ft. St. John BC, and George (Rosalie ‘Pinkie’) Neagele, of Dawson Creek BC. She also leaves 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren who fondly remember her.
Memorial Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
