- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Clifford Elven Pepper
1912 - 2002
Clifford Elven Pepper, resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia passed away on March 30, 2002 in Dawson Creek, at 89 years of age. A funeral service was held on April 3, 2002 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, with Beverly Dunsmore officiating. Cremation followed.
Cliff was born in Kingsland Saskatchewan, the seventh of nine children. In 1930, the family moved to Rolla, BC. They settled at Rolla and also at Bear Flats, near Hudson Hope.
Cliff met Anne, and they married in 1939 in Ft. St. John, and stayed in the Peace River area for most of their 55 years together. Donon, the first of their seven children was born in 1940, followed by Shirley, Lois, Bob, Cori, Bryan and Janice in 1956.
The family moved to Progress, initially Cliff had his own repair shop, but by 1950, he was working for S.D. #59 as a bus driver. In 1951, the family moved to Dawson Creek and Cliff continued working with S.D. #59 eventually assuming the roll of Supervisor.
Hunting was one of his great interests. He loved his sports, from horseshoes, ice curling, floor curling, hockey to baseball. His overflowing trophy chest was a tribute to his success as a sportsman. His love of the land showed in the bumper crops he produced. He always had a great love for animals and always had at least one pet.
His mechanical expertise "saved the day" on many occasions. He was an extraordinary inventor creating the most amazing things from what looked like nothing. He had very high expectations of himself and all that he undertook.
Upon retirement, Cliff and Anne moved to Vancouver. After ten years, they returned to the Peace River Country, settling in Bonanza, he had always yearned to return to his roots in the country.
A lasting memory is of Cliff walking with sort of a foot-dragging-chicken-farmer stride with his slip-on boots, blue jacket and brown pants, sweater tucked into his pants and a cap.
He stood for honesty and integrity, his word was worth more than a contract filled out by a dozen lawyers.
In his youth he developed a love for playing the violin but had little support from his family. He "let it go" for 40 years, but was inspired to take it up again 10 years ago. After his wife Anne died, the violin filled some of the empty times.
His music opened the door to a new love two years ago. Upon moving to the senior’s lodge, he met Betty, who played the piano, and they began to practice their music. He said he had not laughed so much in 50 years. They married in August 2000, sharing many common interests including their love for life, music, sports, exercise and humor as well as their love for each other.
Cliff was predeceased by his first wife, Anne, son, Donon, brothers, Percy, Lawrence, Harold, Norman, and sister, Mary.
He will be lovingly remembered by his second wife, Betty; his children, Bob (Marilyn) Pepper, Bryan (Malou) Pepper, Cori Ellingson, Lois (Laurie) Ross, Janice (Doug) Charlton, and Shirley Smith; grandchildren, Charyle and Michael Ross, Clancey, Carrie, and Tanner Ellingson, Greg Smith, Jardey and Corby O’Genski, Jaysen, Nicholas and John Pepper; great-grandson, Jarod Smith; step-father to Nancy MacLennan; step-grandchildren, Hugh (Janet) MacLennan, Michael (Holly) MacLennan, Dennis and Shari MacLennan; step-great-grandchildren, Sarah MacLennan, Terence, and Haley MacLennan; brother, Howard Pepper, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Lillias Kennoway Slowinski
1926 – 2002
Lillias Kennoway Slowinski died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 24, 2002. Mum was born on May 25, 1926 in St. Andrews, Scotland, the first of 6 sisters and two brothers. She met dad, who was stationed as a soldier in St. Andrews, in 1942. They emigrated to Canada with their two sons, staying in the area north of the Peace with dad’s uncle, Mike Slowinski, for a few months, until they moved to Dawson Creek, where they have lived ever since. Mum was a very private and independent lady who raised her family of four while dad had to work outside the Dawson Creek area.
Leaving her family in Scotland and arriving in Dawson Creek in mid-January did not deter her. She loved Canada and never wanted to return to Scotland. The opportunity to live and raise a family in new country more than offset her absence from her parents and siblings and the new obstacles confronting her.
Her glowing reports of this country inspired two sisters and two brothers to move to the West.
Her later years were spent looking after dad, their home, and pets. She took in many strays temporarily, and some permanently, as she hated to see their suffering.
She was very proud of dad and of the fact that they came to Canada with virtually nothing, and eventually were able to live comfortably without financial worries.
Dad was able to set up his own business, with Mum’s help, as she took care of the children, and provided him bookkeeping and business advice. Having no chance to pursue advanced education because of the burden imposed by WWII on her family, she was, nevertheless, well educated through her voracious reading.
Mourning her loss is her immediate family; husband, Vincent, sons, George (Audrey), Vince, and John, and daughter, Margaret, plus her many grandchildren, her sisters, and brother.
Mum was not one to attract attention, therefore a family-only service was held on April 27, 2002 at Bergeron’s funeral home. Sentiments of condolence can be made to the Dawson Creek Animal Shelter in her name.
Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Petronella Anna Maria Wensvoort
1921 - 2002
Petronella Anna Marie Wensvoort, more commonly known as ‘Oma’, ‘Moeder’, ‘Moo’, ‘Mom’, ‘Nell’, ‘Nelly’, or ‘Big Oma’, sadly left us on Sunday, April 28, 2002, at age 80. A funeral service was held at 10:00 am on May 2, 2002 at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, with Father Chris Lynch officiating.- Interment followed at the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek.
Nell was the seventh child born to Johannes and Maria Elgers, on July 19th, 1921 in Schiedam, Holland. Growing up in Holland with her siblings was a joyous time for Nell, and became the foundation of her ability to extract maximum pleasure from every occasion. It was widely known that a good time could be found at the Elgers household.
Her sense of adventure was ever present from her many bike excursions, to being on a sea based swim team, or just sneaking out with her brothers for a dance. It was during these times that the life long friendship with Bep Van Noortwyk was established, and when she met her husband, Johannes Wensvoort. Nell and Johannes were married on October 31, 1949 and started their family exactly nine months later with the birth of Ineke, followed by Maria and John. Persuaded by her sister Marie Englesby, a war-bride to a Canadian soldier, and already living in Canada, Nell courageously packed up her family and embarked on a long trek into the unknown and the promise of freedom. They arrived in Montreal on January 30, 1955 and traveled to the Peace Country by train. Nell soon learned a new kind of adventure; outdoor plumbing, freeze-dried clothes, and a foreign language.
She also had to learn to deal with isolation from her beloved family in Holland. Nell taught herself how to read and write english, albeit with a slight accent and the odd Dutch word thrown in here and there. In the following years, the family grew with the arrival of Tim and Rick. Nell kept herself busy raising five children, attending church, riding her bike to the grocery store and instilling Dutch traditions and heritage. Nell was always waiting at home when the kids returned from school and tea with chocolate was served promptly at 3 o'clock. With the untimely death of her husband Joe, at 52, Nell continued to raise the family until the last Wensvoort left the nest.
In 1974, Nell's bicycle was replaced with the now famous blue pinto. She'd put the pedal to the floor, eyes facing forward and ‘hair straight back’, stop sign or no stop sign, she had faith that everyone would get out of her way. The Pinto had only 40,000 miles on it, which consisted primarily of going from her house to church or to the Co-op.
One of Nell's lasting youthful passions was dancing, and what a dancer she was! At every dance it was important to her that she looked her best, which of course resulted with everyone wanting a spin around the floor with ‘Nellie’. She regularly attended the seniors’ dances and at one such dance, met her fiancé, Jim McAleny, some 12 years ago. Jim became a faithful companion, travel partner and part of the family.
Nell always enjoyed a good joke or playing a prank. She loved newborn babies and always took the time to oogle over them. Nell was like an anxious child waiting for candy when it came to her scratch tickets, or any competitive game, and a poker face she did not possess.
She looked forward to mass every Sunday followed by coffee at the Co-op or brunch at the George Dawson Inn. Nell loved Tim Horton’s coffee and honey crullers. She chuckled about memorable trips to Grande Prairie especially if they included Wal-Mart and the casino.
Nell never worried about materialistic possessions. If you commented to Nell how much you liked something, her first instinct would be to happily give it to you. Whenever you did Nell a favour she'd show up later with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye to give you a box of chocolates or some thoughtful gift to show her appreciation. For Nell, the most important aspect of life was her relationships with her friends and family, and she would comment frequently on how she was the richest woman in the world.
Nell cherished making and eating Sunday night dinners with her children, every week! Nell was adored by her children. How many 80 year old mothers can say that they saw, or at the very least talked to their kids almost every day of their life. Nell dearly loved her four grandchildren and relished either being in their presence or simply hearing of their latest success or adventure. Nell was also absolutely delighted by her two great grandchildren.
She also had a special place in her heart for her extended family; Aaron, Lyonel, Lorraine, Michelle, Colleen, Jason, Michael, and Marijke.
Nell is predeceased by her husband, Johannes, and siblings, Willem, Johanna, Henk, Clare, and Marie.
She is survived by her brother, Antonius Elgers, of Holland, sister, Thea Dikmans of Holland, her fiancé, Jim McAleny, her children Ineke, Maria, John, Tim, and Rick; her grandchildren, Lisa, Andrew, Jeffery and Cameron, and her great-grandchildren, Corey and Heather.
Nell leaves behind a legacy of: love, strength, courage and always finding time for a laugh. And so, as Nell would say, ‘Ja, now we're up to date.’
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Victoria Marial Eva Kuschmin
March 24, 1958 - March 26, 2002
Victoria was born in Vancouver on the 20 of March 1958, to her parents, Peter and Annemarie Kuschmin. They moved to Dawson Creek were she grew up and had her schooling in Parkhill, Frank Ross and South Peace Secondary.
As a child Vikki was very talented in Piano and dance. Her talent in art helped her to create a poster on anti-smoking for which she won second prize in the 1969 provincial contest. She enjoyed gardening learning what her mother Annemarie (an avid gardener) could teach her. With her father Peter, whom she adored, she learned how to target shoot and to drive.
She left South Peace Secondary after completing grade 11. She finished her Grade 12 later by taking subjects in Kelowna and Edmonton.
A visit with her mother to Europe to meet her relatives in Germany was wonderful. They journeyed to London and Paris where they dined on French cuisine and had lunch by the Eiffel Tower. On to Hanover, and Munich. In Italy they visited Verona, Venice, Aquielea. They traveled to Austria, Vienna and Schoenbruun.
She graduated from a cooking school in Kelowna. Soon after she met Richard Richardson. They married and had Peter their son, in Williams Lake.
They moved to Edmonton where Vikki taught herself mixology. For four years she bartended and managed the Air Harbor lounge in the Municipal airport.
Her half sister Barbara with her daughter Alessandra came to visit from Toronto. The visit was joyful for Vikki; she drove them, her son Peter and her mother on a trip to Banff, Jasper and Calgary. She was so glad to have a sibling, as she was not happy being an only child.
Vikki and her mother traveled to Toronto to visit with Barbara and to meet relatives from Germany. She loved her niece Alessandra and Alessandra loved her. Vicki was happy that she had made this trip.
Peter and Nicole presented her with a granddaughter "Daylin" in May 2001. She was so happy and proud of Peter.
Vikki, we will miss you. You had many friends and you were a friend to many. If you ever needed help, Vikki was there to give it
Vikki your loving mother sends you this prayer:
Farewell Vikki, my sweet girl, May the lord keep you and look over you and give you peace. We remember you as that beautiful person you were to the inner core, noble in deeds for many. Farewell Vikki, may God bless you we will miss
you, till we meet again. Rest peacefully. Love.
Vikki was predeceased; by her father Peter Kuschmin. She leaves to mourn: her mother Annemarie Kuschmin, her son Peter (Nicole), and granddaughter, Daylin Richardson. Sister Barbara and niece Alessandra, relatives in Germany and many special friends.
Expressions of Sympathy to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon.
Memorial Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Joe Lafond
1916 - 2008
Joe Lafond, a great gentleman with a huge smile passed away on August 27, 2008 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, shortly after his 92nd birthday.
Joseph Thomas Lafond was born in Morinville, Alberta on August 24th, 1916. His parents were Floribert and Louisa Lafond and Joe was the eldest of seven children.
Joe’s lifelong career in the meat business started at the young age of 12, working at his father’s butcher shop in Morinville. In the 1930's he briefly left to work in the meat business in Ontario and Quebec before settling in Edmonton. While working as a butcher in Edmonton he befriended a co-worker by the name of Tom Smith. Tom’s sister-in-law, Irene Forgie, soon became the most important person in Joe’s life.
Joe and Irene married on October 24th, 1942 in Edmonton. Shortly after their marriage Joe met Mr. Glover Lawrence. Irene agreed they would move to Dawson Creek in 1943 to join forces in Lawrence Meats. At the time, Joe told Irene the move to Dawson would only be for two years. During the next 65 years of living in Dawson, Irene periodically reminded Joe of this statement. Joe and Mr. Lawrence were partners in Lawrence Meats. Joe later acquired the controlling interest in the company.
Joe’s incredible work ethic was second to none. Because of this, Lawrence Meats thrived. Joe was extremely proud of the company he built, and the quality of the product. Even when he was retired, Joe continued to go to work everyday! He was actually doing quality control at the Butcher Block last Monday; he was questioning the thickness of the steaks!
Joe had many amazing facets to his life. Some things you may not know about him include:
- He was self-taught in refrigeration, plumbing, construction, mechanics, and business;
- Joe attained his pilot’s licence in San Jose, California in his 40’s;
- He still held a class 3 with driver’s licence with an air ticket;
- Joe volunteered a great deal of time to the Dawson Creek arena;
- He loved to travel, and has seen much of the world;
- Joe was one of the original Snowbirds spending winters in San Francisco, Hawaii and Arizona;
- He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Elks Club
- Joe made sets of golf clubs for his family and taught many how to use them;
- He water-skied at age 70;
- Joe swam across Swan Lake at age 70;
- He ran a riverboat in his 80’s; and,
- Joe played a round of golf, his favourite pastime on his 90th birthday.
Joe set the bar high for how a person should go through life. Throughout his life he worked hard, played hard, and most importantly he loved those around him unconditionally.
Joe leaves behind sons Jerry and Maurice, daughter Paula, their spouses, as well as 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was held on September 1, 2008 at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, officiated by Father Michael Anyasoro. Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery.
