- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Pearl Bassett
1921-2008
Pearl was born Paraska Grychuk in a small village in Poland on August 10, 1921.
In 1938 at the age of 16, Pearl immigrated to Canada with her mother Mary and brothers Frank and Andy. They crossed the Atlantic from England on the Cunard Line’s Ship “Astoria”. They came across Canada by railway, re-uniting with Pearl’s father Nick who had came ahead years earlier to get established in their new homeland.
In her teenage years, Pearl worked as a nanny for the Tembourg family on the Kiskatinaw River. Pearl learned English from Mrs. Tembourg, and their family remained friends.
A young Harold Bassett would walk miles through the valley to court Pearl. They were married March 27, 1942 and ranched in the Upper Cutbank area. In the early years of their marriage Pearl and Harold fostered six nieces and nephews before starting their own family of two sons: David and Garry.
Pearl was best known for her kind heart and generous ways. Pearl would soon have her table full with cake, cookies, veggies from her huge garden, and best of all her homemade bread. Her pantry was always full with home canning including fruit, wild berries, and game meat.
As age took its toll Harold and Pearl migrated into town, residing at Birchview Manor.
On June 24, 1997 with great sadness Pearl lost her loving husband and best friend Harold after fifty-five years of wonderful marriage.
Due to ill health Pearl moved to Pouce Coupe Care Home in the fall of 2007. Thanks to the staff for the loving care.
Pearl passed away peacefully on August 26, 2008 at the age of 87 years. She led a full and wonderful life and would not want her passing to be a time of sadness.
Thanks to Doug and Sharon Hagar who were there to check on Pearl, Marg Hall for the visits, Marg was one of the Tembourg kids, to Clare and Home Support, Lynn Ross for taking Pearl on many tours of the countryside and for the goodies and flowers, Carol McConnell for the taxi service to and from the Co-op, and all the people in the apartment for the visits.
Thank you to Willa Fullerton, who was Pearl’s soul mate and caregiver through her final years. Pearl often commented how blessed she was to have Willa in her life. No words can express the deep gratitude of the family to Willa for the care and companionship she gave her Aunty Pearl through her last years. Thank you Willa, you are truly an Angel on Earth.
Pearl was predeceased by husband Harold Bassett, parents Nick and Mary Grychuck and brothers Frank and Andy Grychuck.
Pearl leaves to mourn her sons: David and Garry Bassett; grandchildren: Marci (Martin) Vanderzwan, Malcolm Bassett and Wendy Bassett; great-grandchildren: Morgan and Makayla Vanderzwan, Tannen and Tatum Bassett and Hunter Bondarchuck and many nieces and nephews.
Pearl was cremated and a Celebration of Life social was held August 31, 2008 at the Dawson Creek Seniors Hall. Inurnment of Pearl’s ashes took place in her husband Harold’s grave site at the Brookside Cemetery in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Thanks to Rick Coombs for the DVD slide show and Les Townsend for reading the eulogy, and to Bergeron Funeral home for the special help with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation.
If we have missed thanking anyone please know that you are appreciated.
Silva Violet Jevning
1955-2008
Silva Violet Jevning born October 23, 1955 in Sexsmith Alberta to parents Emily and Ludwig Jevning. She grew up in Grande Prairie, Alberta later moving to Tupper BC, then to Pouce Coupe and finally settling in Dawson Creek. Silva passed away on August 23, 2008. Silva is predeceased by her Mother and Father - and fondly remembered by her sister Betty and Larry, and very old friend of the family Ann Ayramovick.
Silva experienced many challenges growing up with a disability, plus growing up in a time when persons with a disability were not recognized for the gifts and contributions that they brought. Life was not an easy journey.
Silva lived an amazing life one filled with an abundance of people that cared deeply for her. She had dedicated caregivers who ensured that she was cared for in dignified and respectful manner while at the same time bringing a sense of warmth and family. Caregivers who often went beyond the daily boundaries of what was expected of them. Anne Pearson who supported and assisted Silva for seven years – who in some circles was known as the motivator as she had a special way of getting Silva to agree to do just about anything. Maryanne Smithers who also supported Silva for a time – again another great motivator. A big thank you to you all – For Canalta in opening the door for Silva and for 115th who took over the tough job in helping to close it. And also for everyone else who assisted in between.
Silva started doing respite at Canalta in 2003. She would become very excited to pack her bags and come to visit. Before long she had moved in and was quick to let people know that Canalta was “My Home”. She loved the long drives in the country to look at the buffalo – she loved when the babies had been born and would make comments about them drinking the mother’s milk.
Then a sad day came when Canalta could no longer care for Silva’s needs and a difficult decision had to be made for her to move to 115th where her increasing needs could be better met.
Silva loved to make people laugh. She knew how to have a good time – she loved the huge birthday / Halloween bash that Canalta would have for her each year. She loved all the people and the costumes – and loved to open all her presents. Silva loved Christmas and would be picking out which neighborhood tree should be cut down very early in the year. She also would be picking out in which corner of the house it should be placed.
A Celebrate of Life service was held on August 27, 2008 at the Bergeron Funeral Services Chapel, officiated by Peggy Bergeron. Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery.
She was a memorable person that touched us all in many special ways – and we are grateful to have been given the chance to have known her – Silva you will be forever missed but not forgotten.
Henry Frank Dyck
1931-2008
Henry Frank Dyck was born in Stone, Saskatchewan November 27, 1931 to Frank and Katherine Dyck.
In 1934 his family moved to Chilliwack, BC where Henry met his wife, Frieda Fast.
A funeral service was held at Dawson Creek Alliance Church August 23, 2008.
Henry is survived by his loving wife Frieda of over 52 years, five children; Diana (Lloyd) Riemersma of Agassiz BC, Janet (Hildor) Wendland of Prespatou, BC; Beverly (Morris) Pawlyshyn of Calgary, AB; Teresa (Tom) Scarff of Agassiz, BC; Dale (Melissa) Dyck of Dawson Creek, BC; 12 Grandchildren; 9 Great-grandchildren.
Sympathy may be expressed by way of donations to Canadian National Institute for the Blind or British Columbia Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Mark Nimitz
1987-2008
Mark grew up in the Calgary area and spent all of his vacations at the Kiskatinaw River Ranch.
He enjoyed traveling, soccer, rugby and the outdoors through out his school years. Mark had a natural talent with horses and spent hours training and riding. From early teenage hood he began making a significant contribution to the working and management of our ranch.
Mark’s thirst for travel sent him to Australia out of high school where he worked as an exchange student on ranches. The end of May, Mark returned from a second excursion to Australia and Thailand to spend the summer assisting in the building of a new ranch house.
A project that he was thoroughly enjoying. He found working with his Uncle Steve taught him a lot and he was so enthusiastic about the new house.
Last fall Mark and his friend Conner, drove to Halifax to spend time with Michael and were so excited about
Dalhousie that they both enrolled, and were to attend the University there this fall with Michael.
Mark loved life and was happy to spend time visiting.
His kind heart and casual ways won many accolades
from so many people in his short 20 years.
We will dearly miss his smiles and love in our home.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mark can be made to the
"Kiskatinaw Ecological Society"
c/o Peace River Forage Association of BC
Box 265, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4G7
Mogens Piepgrass
1929-2008
Mogens was born on November 10, 1929 in and lived all his childhood in Barrit – a small village in Jutland, Denmark. His father Ragnald worked locally as cooper. His mother Yrsa was originally educated as a nurse and worked some years as such in the village. Mogens was the second oldest of 6 children – 5 boys (Arne, Mogens, Helge, Tage and Ole) and 1 girl (Inger) .
After school he became an apprentice in the Danish Co-op and later on a clerk. In the 50’s he left for Canada to work for the Canadian Co-op. He worked his way up and became head of the local Co-op store in Dawson Creek and got a seat in Co-op’s national board.
He was very dedicated to his work in the Co-op and on his holidays in Denmark he often spent a day at Co-op’s Danish headquarter where he among other things looked at the balance sheet.
For many years he visited the family in Denmark every second year, but his heart was in Canada and he was very proud of being a Canadian citizen. In the later years he unfortunately wasn’t able to come to Denmark so often due to physically problems and the last time he visited was in 2002.
From small girls to becoming adults his nieces were always excited when Uncle Mogens from Canada was going to visit. When he visited his family in Denmark he liked to go sightseeing, watch the Danish soccer teams play on television, read the Danish newspapers and play golf with his brother Helge.
Mogens was intelligent, curious, outgoing, was very interesting and educational to talk to and had a great sense of humour and they really appreciated these qualities he possessed.
He loved golf, hunting, going out to dance with a group of friends, and he loved to spend hours studying the stock prices in the newspapers to see how things were developing on the financial market.
Even though he lived far away from his family (with family in Wyoming, Australia and Denmark) and therefore didn’t see or speak that often with each other, he meant a lot to them and it leaves a gap now that he’s no longer here.
A Celebration of Life Social was held on August 13, 2008 at the Bergeron Funeral Service social room, Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Mogens by way of a donation to the Dawson Creek Junior Golf, Box 325, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4G7 or the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation 11100-13 Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3W8.
Edward Elwood Turner
1939-2008
Let us celebrate the life of Edward Elwood Turner. Ed always enjoyed a good time, so let us remember the times we enjoyed with him.
Edward Elwood Turner was born on March 14, 1939 in Beaverlodge, Alberta where his father was an engineer at the Red Willow Coal Mine. Ed was the third son of William and Ivah Turner.
When the family returned to their homestead in the Kilkerran area, Ed attended school at 7 mile corner. This was an exciting time as the school yard was on the old highway to Fort St. John. School was often interrupted by convoys of American soldiers, who distributed chocolate bars to the children and played impromptu softball games with them.
In the early 1950’s Ed’s father became ill and Ed then 11 years old, and his brother Ray 15, were left alone to manage the farm and livestock, while their Mom accompanied their father to Edmonton for treatment. Ray tells of having to operate the threshing machine, and watching Ed struggle to pitch stooks onto a wagon with the threshing crew.
After the death of their father in 1952, the family moved to town. With the oil and gas boom in the mid 50’s, Ed decided to leave school and work on oil rigs. He was a quick learner and hard worker so he was soon promoted to a derrick man.
In 1965, Ed married Francis Densen, the love of his life, he was so happy to have a home of his own.
Over the years Ed worked as a logger, and a cat operator, he was an excellent welder and great mechanic, he could make anything run. Ed purchased a cat and began clearing and breaking land both on a custom basis and on his own land. He enjoyed opening up the country.
In July 1984 Ed and Francis’ family was completed with a son Clinton. Ed was so proud of him; he always had a story about Clinton’s accomplishments to tell.
Ed was the coolest uncle anyone could have; his philosophical and political discussions and stories of his wildlife encounters will be missed.
Ed was always a kind and generous man, in the last few years, Ed and Francis moved to the farm at Progress to care for Francis’ elderly uncles and her father.
Ed passed away July 17, 2008 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Ed’s memory will live in those he leaves to mourn, his loving wife Francis, son Clinton, brother Ray (Marjorie), father in-law, Norman Densen, sister in-law Sally Howard, Valerie (Dan McMurray), 9 nieces and nephews and Aunt Anne Rice.
A Celebration of Life tea was held on July 26, 2008 at the Bergeron Funeral Services’ social room.
