- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Kathy Modahl
1958 - 2009
We have lost a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Kathy was dearly loved by many and will be sadly missed by all. She was a kind, caring and loving person. Her family was most important to her and she kept herself surrounded by loved ones.
Kathy was the youngest of three born in Edmonton Alberta August 10, 1958. She was raised in Manning Alberta until she was a young girl and then her family moved to Dawson Creek BC where she resided until her passing on June 20th 2009 at the age of 50. Kathy is predeceased by her parents Ralph and Eleanor Dober and father-in-law Henry Modahl.
She met Harold Modahl and they were happily married in Dawson Creek March 6 1976. They were married for 33 years. They raised their older 3 girls Shandelle (Kory), Glenda, and Rebecca and were raising their younger children, Becky, Kyle, and Reily in Dawson Creek. Kathy was an adoring grandmother to 3 grandchildren, Kayden, Sage, and Emma-Leigh.
Kathy has been called mom, auntie and grandma by many children as Kathy and Harold have been foster parents for about 20 years. Kathy and Harold opened their home and their hearts to children even on Christmas Eve. Kathy made sure that there were just as many presents under the tree for the children that just got there as there was for everyone else. It was not only foster children that Kathy and Harold opened their home to. Quite often their children would have friends that would move in, stay the night for days, or spend all their time at the house.
Kathy was always the first one to remind everyone how many days it was until Christmas as it was her favourite holiday. Her last entry on her facebook account just 4 days before she got sick was ‘...wondering if you know it is only 203 days until Christmas’. She would start her Christmas shopping in January. We would never know which gifts were ours under the Christmas tree because she would use a secret code of numbers or letters instead of our names on the presents.
Kathy enjoyed camping and fishing all of her life. She passed that enjoyment on to her children and grandchildren. She would often go out camping and would make sure to have the right bait and hook to go out fishing. She would get the camper ready so when Harold got home from work all he had to do was jump in the vehicle and be on their way. She had a love of books and computers and would spend her spare time reading or working on her computers. Kathy was the one to turn to when her children, friends or family had troubles with their computers. She would talk them through the problems over the phone or she would have the computers at her home and would fix the computer for them. Kathy was the one in the family that relatives would ask to make a Norwegian wedding cake for their weddings. She enjoyed sewing and would often make quilts, toys and doll outfits for her daughters.
She spent many hours sitting with Kyle, Reily and Rebecca playing Nintendo. She loved Zelda. She would print off the walkthroughs and Rebecca would read them off to her as she would make her way through one of the many Zelda games she owned.
Kathy was proud of her children and grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She loved being a stay at home mother and wife to Harold. She will be sadly missed but we all know that she is watching over us and she did not go alone as she took a little piece of each us with her.
A Memorial Tea was held in honor of Kathy on June 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Kathy by donation to:
"B.C. Heart and Stroke Foundation", Box 714, Dawson Creek, B.C., V1G 4H7 or
"Canadian Cancer Society", 1000 - 105 ave, Dawson Creek, B.C., V1G 2B9.
Alexander Emil Wilhelm
1936 - 2009
Alexander Emil Wilhelm, resident of Dawson Creek, passed away on December 20, 2009, at the age of seventy three.
Alexander Wilhelm was one of 6 children born on June 4, 1936, in Lapman, Saskatchewan, to Gustov and Natalia Wilhelm. Alex grew up in the Saskatchewan area and attended school in Woodley, Saskatchewan. Alex then headed off to college at the Manitoba Technical Institute and graduated there in 1957.
Alex moved to Dawson Creek, BC in 1963, BC, we believe it was for fresh job opportunities. Alex then met Lesley Tackaberry which started their lifelong companionship. Within a year of meeting, Alex decided he would not live without her, and he proposed. On July 10, 1965, Alex and Lesley pledged their love to one another, and they stayed happily married for forty-four years. Two years after marriage, the couple welcomed their first addition to their family. On May 9, 1967, their first son, Don, was born. Just over a year later, on September 20, 1968, the couple welcomed a set of twins to their developing family: son, Barry, and daughter, Barbara.
Our Dad worked hard to support his growing family by working multiple jobs at the same time ranging from; projectionist at the Crest theatre, and at the Drive-In theatre, as well as the old Pool Hall and working at the CJDC as Engineer. In 1977, he partnered up with Eric Sorenson and opened up their business, called Audio TV Service. After many years at the shop, he took at permanent position at the School District 59, working his way up to Electronics Shop Foreman. We remember Dad always tinkering and fixing on something for someone or for one of us kids.
Dad was also a strong supporter of our local hockey team the Junior Canucks and the Senior Canucks. At one point Dad was heavily involved with the Senior Canucks by becoming part of the Board of Directors and up to President of the DC Canucks. Recently, his part was a favorable one, manning the penalty box. We would tease him each time about being bad and being banned to the penalty box, he never seemed to get tired of hearing it. Dad really enjoyed his hockey. For as long as we can remember Dad was involved with the DC Canucks. It would be a treat for us kids each time when he took us to the hockey games as we would get to stay up late and eat chips and drink pop.
Dad also had a love for music, but only country. Rock and Roll to him was listening to Johnny Horton or Charlie Pride while singing in his deep enjoyable voice. Music started early for our Dad, while he was still living at home. Dad would often tell us how he would enjoy Anita’s (sister) singing and that she had a lovely voice. Dad could play the harmonica, played the autoharp and just recently took up learning how to play the guitar. Dad always enjoyed a good jam session. For years in tradition, Dad would prep the trailer to attend Keray Regan’s annual weekend jam session. He also attended a few years at the Tupper jam session, which started new friendships and wonderful memories.
After losing Mom (Lesley) this summer, it was comforting knowing Dad was surrounded by friends who dearly loved him. Dad was part of a “crew” who would do the things Dad loved to do. The “crew” would be those who he would jam with, most of those were also the quadding crew and the coffee crew.
Dad always tried to see the good in things. He was a very strong man who never gave up. No matter how bad things got Dad would be cracking jokes and teasing who ever was near. That will be the one thing I will remember the most about my Dad is his sense of humor, it never left him. Dad was always there to help us whenever we needed it. He will be sadly missed.
Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Alexander was predeceased by wife, Lesley Wilhelm (July 2009), father, Gustov Wilhelm, and mother Natalia Ferchoff.
Alexander was survived by children, Don, Barry (Sandy), and Barb (Jim) Moi; brothers, Herman (Elsie), Ben (Lil), George; sisters, Elsie and Anita; grandchildren, Chantel, Derek, Matthew, Tyler, and Cole; and many nieces and nephews.
Written by Barb Moi (daughter)
Alex was cremated and by his request no service will be held.
Arrangements under the care of Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia 250-782-2577
Ronald Llewellyn Chapman
(1935-2009)
Ronald Llewellyn Chapman passed away peacefully at the Dawson Creek hospital in the early hours of December 23,2009
with his wife Debbie by his side. Ron was born in Bury, Quebec on January 22, 1935 to Tom and Clara Chapman and was the
eldest of 5 children. As a young man Ron found many interests in the outdoor life. These interests found there way to be a
constant right up to his passing. The passion for work, people and animals where to be the main stay for Ron’s personal drive
to live. It didn’t seem to matter what the day had to offer, Ron would always find a means to the end. Ron’s word was his bond and to many that was what they received when he gave it. He had a special interest in letting people know that he could be counted on when needed. The fact of the matter was that when someone needed something more than he, it was given. Pride was a special trait that could easily be seen through Ron and most of that shone through when he spoke of his kids. He would find the words easy to speak when his girls and his boy would have a deed done well. I don’t ever recall a sorry word ever said about any one of the children. Ron seemed to find some good in anyone he knew and that isn’t something that everyone was capable of doing. He had many friends that could tell you the same. Ron was a swift, fluent speaker and had the gift for good conversation. If you ever sat at the table with him in the coffee shop, along one of his many truck stops, you where a witness. If he found you interesting he’d look for you and if he really liked you he’d buy!! He gave me my first real break over twenty-five years ago. I was broke and needed $200.00 bucks for a first aid course. He never asked when I would pay him back and never batted an eye. I guess I was a good bet!
Ron trucked for many years and travelled many miles in a Peterbilt. He would often say it was his favourite way to keep occupied. He spent many hours riding alone but never felt lonely. It was easy for him to keep going as long as he had Deb to
keep the home front running. He would work till he was exhausted and come home for a clean suitcase of clothes and a grub box full of food.
In 2004 Ron’s health took a turn and so he hung his keys up and found a driver to keep Ron Chapman’s trucking on the road. Ron would go on to find many other ways to keep busy. His silver tongue made good use of the telephone and everyone
grew accustomed to the calls he would make. His friend’s all knew the condition he was in and found that a phone call was equally the best way to keep in contact. Ron had quite a time with his health but never looked for anything less than a
good day. He never said good-bye and always said see ya tomorrow. Ron is survived and will be fondly remembered by his loving wife Debbie, children: Karen (Ray Landers),Pete (Amber) and Diane (Jean-Guy Thibeault) .
Grandchildren: Kathleen and Josh Landers, Brady and Nicholas Chapman, Lindsay and Alison Thibeault.
Very special nephew Kevin Chapman (Sandra) and their daughters Kelsie and Melissa. Siblings: Dennis (Irma), Francis, Gloria (Jacque) and many nieces and nephews. Ron was predeceased by parents Tom and Clara Chapman, brother Calvin Chapman and by his first wife Isabelle (Bewick) Chapman.
As requested by Ron there was no funeral or memorial service. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Bergeron Funeral Services and Crematorium Ltd.
Donations in memory may be made to the Dawson Creek SPCA: 637-114the Avenue Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3A1.
Clifford Arnold Henrickson
1927 - 2009
Clifford was born July 26, 1927 and was the youngest child of John and Anna Henrickson. The family moved from Dahlen North Dakota to North Rolla in November of 1926. Inga, Anton, Alma, Jennie, Peter and Linvold accompanied their parents. Clifford is survived by his sister Jennie Sewell and numerous nieces and nephews.
I was honoured to be asked to give the eulogy for Clifford Henrickson. It should begin at the beginning. The beginning started in the United states before we were born. The Henricksons and the dokkens and others in the North Rolla neighbourhood were part of a movement of people searching for the opportunities that were to be had in the form of homestead land in Canada. My folks arrived in the early spring of 1928 to be met with Henrickson hospitality. Clifford was the new Canadian baby. The youngest of the Henrickson children and the first Canuck.
As a little fellow Clifford loved his stick horses and would ride his favourite and accompany his mother as she walked to Rolla for groceries. She was a fast walker and Clifford had to gallop to keep up.
Like the rest of the children in the neighbourhood he went to the local North Rolla school and when he finished grade eight like many of the youngsters he was finished with formal schooling. But when I was in grade school, he was such a good kid. He would come over on RUBY, a real horse this time, and say “hang a paw” so I”d climb on behind and get a 4 legged lift home. He was always kind to little kids and generous with his time. Those horses, Ruby, Morgan, Paint and Queen and her colt Lucky were a special part of his life. Why Lucky was still at colt at 15.
My sister Jean was in school with Clifford. In those days, the school day began with the Lord`s prayer and Clifford would add a little mischief by saying it Norwegian. That Norwegian bit was an integral part of our lives. We had Norwegian treats, and Norwegian sayings and Clifford knew them all. He was quite a mimic and had a good sense of humour so he could pretend to be one of the older folks in the community and we all knew when he was Norlander or Joe Berg or whoever.
Clifford loved music. He chorded on the guiter and was a fine singer and yodeller. When he was finished school he still had a part to play in the school Christmas concert. He would be back stage and play and sing during the acts and sometimes lend support to those who needed help. He played at community dances with Ed Dahlen, and whoever was providing the music at the dos. He and Johnny Thorbergson, and Florence LePine would play for $3.00 each.
In the early fifties, Clifford spent some time at the Flying U guest ranch where a neighbour, Jacob Reinertson, (Lorraine’s uncle) had relocated. The two summers he spent there remained a highlight in his life.
Clifford didn`t have a lot but he looked after what he had. That wind up gramophone which played so often still works today. That taking care made Clifford a reliable, good worker. He worked for neighbouring farmers such as LePines, Autons, Yorks, and Dokkens and stayed home helping his folks. I remember when he helped me he would have a pair of gloves in his back pocket and my mom would wonder why I couldn`t keep as tidy as he could.
He didn`t complicate his life with stuff. He never had a driver`s license even though he could drive. He was good with farm machinery and in later years was very proud of the tractor he bought. He would use it to mow the church yard, clear his drive and work up garden plots for his friends. Clifford planted a garden and it was always his goal to have new potatoes by July 1st.
Clifford was private and proud. If things were tight for a time, he would just tighten his belt. In the early winters Clifford would hitch up a team and cutter and run what amounted to a taxi service. He would take folks for groceries or to collect their mail at Doe River or Rolla He wouldn`t dream of charging or accepting money. He was just being neighbourly.
For the most part Clifford was content to live in his home community and stay in the family home. He appreciated the installation of a natural gas furnace but never did get running water but that was O K too. He had many friends in the community, some old and some new. The telephone was his lifeline. He kept in touch with people on a regular basis and would give you a call that began ÌS THIS THE PARTY TO WHOM I`M SPEAKING and it was time to touch base.
Our friendship spanned a lifetime. Fifty years ago when I had sheep, Clifford worked for me so he knew that in October I would let the rams out on my birthday. It was a convenient way to remember the event. Well Clifford remembered this. Even this fall he phoned as usual to wish me a happy birthday and added “did you let the rams out?”
I want people to know Clifford was a kind, generous and loyal friend.
Clifford passed away on January 2, 2010 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia at 82 years of age.
A Funeral Service was held for Clifford on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
