- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Gisele Marie Moat
1960 ~ 2010
Gisele Desharnais Moat died suddenly on the morning of August 15, 2010 in Dawson Creek, B.C. Gisele was born in Mankota Saskatchewan on June 11,1960 and was raised and attended school in Ferland and Pontiex Saskatchewan.
From a very young age she had a love for animals, she was always bringing home birds, rabbits, almost anything she could catch, but cats were her favourite. She was a country girl at heart who loved spending time at her grandparents farm or uncle Herman’s farm. As a result, in later years she did own her own horses, cows, pigs and chickens.
She was a fun loving, kind natured person who loved to spend time with friends and family sharing stories. She loved to laugh and make people laugh. All who knew her will always remember her infectious laugh and once she started you would soon be laughing along with her. The love of her life was definitely her children and grandchildren. She loved nothing more then spending time with her two grand-daughters, baking cookies with them and just generally spoiling them. She loved to cook, and was very good at it. She enjoyed watching cooking shows on TV and trying out the new recipes on her family which they always enjoyed. She looked forward to getting out on the golf course with her friends and played every time she had the chance.
She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Gisele was predeceased by her parents Gerard in 2003 and Bernadette in 2007. She is survived by her children Christopher (Heather) Moat of Dawson Creek, Keeley of Edmonton, Jamie of Texas, her dear granddaughters Rachel and Kerri, her sisters Colette (Paul) Chabot of Pontiex, Saskatchewan, Line (Wes) Maddess of Shaunavon, Saskachewan, Solange (Andy) Voskamp of Aneroid, Saskatchewan and many nieces, aunts and uncles and Memere Rouleau who will be 100 years old in November.
A celebration of Gisele’s life was held on August 19, 2010 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Pastor Gary Henderson officiated.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Gisele, may be made by way of a donation to the ‘Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (SPCA) #637 – 114 Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 3A1.
Beverly Joan Crampton
1929 - 2010
Beverly Joan Crampton was the second child born to Edwin and Adeline Nock in Ocean Falls, British Columbia. In 1930, when grandma was only a year old her family moved to the homestead in Arras. Grandma attended Arras school where she made many lifelong friends such as the Bedells and Carlsons. The family lived on the homestead until 1944, when with the passing of her father, the farm was sold and they moved into Dawson Creek.
At the age of seventeen, grandma met Clayton Alexander at a dance. They were married in 1947 and moved to the farm on Saskatoon Creek. There they raised three boys while building a new house, milking cows, raising chickens and building a family farm that remains in the family to this day. In the fall of 1971, grandma moved into Dawson Creek and in the mid 70s she moved to the Okanagan where she took on the amazing job as a tour guide for bus trips to Reno. In 1984, she moved to the Shuswap and in August of 1985, she married Norman Crampton. Together they built a beautiful house and once again Grandma had her cows. But the area soon became too busy for grandma so she and Norman moved to the Cariboo where once more grandma homesteaded. In 2009, as much as she hated to leave her homestead, advancing age forced her to be closer to family and she moved back to Dawson Creek.
Grandma was very talented and hard working. Through all the years on the farm she was an active member of the West Saskatoon W.I. Grandma loved quilting, crocheting, canning, sewing, gardening and baking. One of my favorite memories is visiting grandma in Celista. Grandma was always up very early reading her bible and enjoying her coffee. Horses were a huge part of her life. She loved going on pack horse camping trips with her friend Beth, the first time they went she was only about twelve years old and the last trip being at the age of 79. An annual special event was the Dawson Creek Fall Fair (formerly known as Bonanza Days) . Grandma always made sure the boys were dressed in the finest western wear (which she made) and yes over the crowd you could hear her cheers for the boys when they were racing or showing their horses. Another annual event was watching the Kentucky Derby. Grandma loved to travel and one of her most loved trips was to the Kentucky Derby.
Everyone who knew grandma, knows that her boys meant the world to her. She was very proud of the men they grew to be and the wonderful fathers they are today. Grandma always made sure that the boys knew they were loved, but they also knew not to mess with her. A few brooms were broken when the boys tried to test grandma’s resilience.
In the early 80s, grandma found the Lord and dedicated her life to him. This became a major part of who she was and she touched many lives, often praying for others. She loved singing, especially her favorite hymns.
Grandma was an amazing mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend. She always had time to listen and made many lifelong friends. Her contagious sense of humor was always there even in her last few days….in fact we even got kicked out of the hospital because she was making us laugh so hard we were bothering the other patients! Grandma’s memory and love will never be forgotten.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia with Pastor Rob Nock officiating.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Beverly, may be made by donation to the ‘Dawson Creek and District Hospital Foundation.’
Charles Thomas Hambrook
September 22, 1963 ~ June 28, 2010
On September 22, 1963 Charlie Hambrook was born to Tom and Jean Hambrook in Kamloops, British Columbia. Charlie was a very happy child and enjoyed a wonderful childhood with his parents. Five years later brother James Hambrook was born and their family was complete.
Due to his father’s work Charlie had attended a few schools through his grade school years finishing his grade twelve in Kamloops, British Columbia.
Charlie went to Fairview College in 1982, and a year later, he met the love of his life Miss Darcy Remenyk, and they have been inseparable ever since. They were married on July 13, 1985 and have celebrated 25 years of happy marriage with two children. On July 12, 1990 son Terry was born. February 25, 1993 daughter Robyn was born. Charlie and his family have lived in Bonanza Alberta for about the last 25 years.
Charlie was never afraid of hard work, and would drop what he was doing to help someone else. He has worked in many fields, finally finding his place in the family at Gerry’s Well Service for about the last 13 years. Charlie worked hard on the farm and enjoyed many good years with his young family. Charlie was a quiet man and never seemed to be ruffled by anything, and he was always quick with a joke. Many people have had the pleasure of working with Charlie.
Sadly on the morning of July 28, 2010 Charlie left our world. He is succeeded by his wife Darcy, son Terry, daughter Robyn, father Tom, mother Jean, brother James, brothers and sisters in-law, nieces and nephews, and many aunts and uncles. Charlie will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A funeral service was held in celebration of Charlie’s life, on August 6, 2010 at the Bonanza Community Hall. Interment followed in the Hillhaven Cemetery, Bonanza, Alberta.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Charlie, may be made by donation to a charity of your choice.
VIOLA MARJORIE THIESSEN
1920 - 2010
Viola Marjorie Thiessen, known by Marjorie by her family and friends, a resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia for the past 46 years, passed away at Rotary Manor on July 7, 2010 at the age of 89 years. Marjorie was born in Brandon, Manitoba on December 27, 1920, the second child of four, to William Walter Mitchell and Myrtle Maud Mitchell (nee Andrews) . She attended her first two years of schooling in the Elton School District, near Douglas Manitoba. In March of 1928 they moved to Blueberry Mountain, Alberta to homestead. This is where she was raised with her older brother Myland, younger brother Kenneth and younger sister Shirley.
Marjorie attended school in Blueberry Mountain, Spirit River and completed high school in Grande Prairie. She then trained at the Galt Hospital in Lethbridge for three years and completed her exams in Edmonton to become a registered nurse in 1945. In her 41 years of nursing she worked in various locations in Alberta, California and British Columbia. She was an active member of the Galt Hospital Alumnae Association and enjoyed lifetime friendships with many of the women she had gone to school with and worked with over the years.
On June 6, 1958, Marjorie married Isaac Thiessen in La Mirada, California. In 1964 they made their home in Dawson Creek and enjoyed their life together there until Isaac passed away on September 16, 2004. Marjorie remained in her home until her health no longer allowed and then resided at the Pouce Coupe Care Home and later Rotary Manor.
Isaac and Marj loved to travel and visit with family and friends. As they had no children, they made a point of spending time with many of their twenty nieces and nephews who were always welcome to come and stay. They enjoyed seeing their nieces and nephews grow up and have families and took the opportunity to spend time with them whenever they could. Marj and Isaac also enjoyed gardening, reading and worshipping together.
We all enjoyed and will miss her beautiful smile, her never ending patience and her kindness.
When Marjorie was a thirteen she was recognized by the Governor General of Canada for heroic action in attempting to rescue a child who had gone through the ice on a dugout at the Blueberry Mountain School on October 25, 1934. Although many of her other accomplishments were not publicly recognized, they were no less important. She often sat with the sick and dying and did her best to make them comfortable. She often worked through Christmas so that the nurses who had children could be home with them. For several years, she volunteered at The P.L.A.C.E. in Dawson Creek once a week to teach baking and cooking.
Marjorie is survived by her brother, Myland Mitchell (Margaret) of Spirit River, sister, Shirley Miller of Dawson Creek, nineteen nieces and nephews and their families.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 with Reverend Noel Smith officiating. Interment followed in the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Marjorie, may be made by donation to the 'Rotary Manor' for the activity fund 1121 - 90th Avenue, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 5A3.
Kenneth Arthur Esau
1928 - 2010
Kenneth Arthur Esau was born in Rosthern, Saskatchewan on August 15, 1928. He went to be with his Savior on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at the age of 82. He was predeceased by his wife Doreen, parents William and Aganetha Esau, step-mother Vonda Esau, brothers Harold, Vergle, Willie, Lorenz and Elgin Esau, son Larry Esau, and grandsons Travis and Adon Thiessen. He is survived by his son Elvern and his wife Kathy, son Bradley and his wife Lynn, daughter Donalda, daughter Dolores and her husband Walter, daughter Darlene and her husband James, daughter Kathleen and her husband Scott, 34 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, brother Maynard and his wife Carol, sister Delphine and her husband Jim, and many nieces and nephews.
On November 27, 1949 he married the love of his life, Doreen Tallman. For the first two and one-half years they lived in Meadow Lake. On May 30, 1952 Ken and Doreen took their two sons, Elvern (1 ˝ years) and Brad (6 weeks), and moved to Dawson Creek, B.C. and later to Clayhurst B.C. to farm.
In 1953, a third son, Larry, was born to their family. In 1954, their first daughter, Donalda, was born. She was followed by three more daughters: Dolores in 1961; Darlene in 1962; and, Kathleen in 1963.
Their farm had very humble beginnings. Ken started by renting 100 acres of improved land and homesteading a half section of raw land. During the winters Ken put in long hours hauling ties and lumber. In 1956, he purchased a sawmill. For the next five winters the family moved to the bush to saw lumber.
By 1961, they had enough improved land so that the farm was able to support the family without extra income. Ken was active in farming up until 2009. He said that this land was the land of opportunity, and in it their dreams were fulfilled.
Ken once said that he modeled his life after Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” His life was a reflection of the desire of his heart to put God first in all that he did. In doing so, he has left us a legacy of faith.
In April 2010, after the passing of his wife of 60 years, Ken moved into the Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek. We are grateful for the staff at the Manor that looked after him and the good care that he received.
The day he left this world for his heavenly home was November 27, 2010. This day was special for two reasons. First, on this day Ken’s greatest hope to be with his Lord and Savior was fulfilled. Second, November 27 would have been his 61st wedding anniversary. He didn’t spend it alone for he was reunited with Doreen on that day, never to be separated again. Ken was a blessing to each person in his life, and he will be greatly missed.
A graveside service was held on December 4, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Clayhurst Cemetery, Clayhurst, British Columbia, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm at the Alliance Church, Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ken, may be made by donation to: ‘The Gospel for Asia’ 245 King St. E. Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1L9, ‘The Samaritan’s Purse’ 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, AB T3J 5H5, or ‘Sagitawa Christian Camps’ Box 61, Moberly Lake, B.C. V0C 1X0.
Edna Mary Potratz
1938 – 2010
Edna Mary Potratz was the oldest of three children, born January 2, 1938 at home, in a little log cabin to Art and Emma Hartman at Watino, Alberta. She grew up and attended the Watino elementary school and then took her junior and senior high schooling in Eaglesham. She then graduated from a business course in Spirit River.
She took a job as an admitting clerk at the Spirit River hospital. On a weekend trip to Watino to see her family during the summer of 1956, her husband to be was there also. After a whirlwind courtship they were married April 2, 1957.
They followed the Hi-way construction employment until it was decided to take up a homestead in Gordondale in 1960. Here they farmed and raised a family of six: Allan (Brenda), Peter (Lynn), Charlie, Sadie (Bob), Wanita (Charlie) and Ricky (Michelle) .
They moved off the farm in 1989 and took up residence in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where they resided until the present. During this time, they did extensive fishing, hunting, and camping with family and friends.
Edna’s door was always open to friends and family for a coffee or a short notice meal so that no one ever left her house hungry. She was an avid crib player and one of my greatest challenges was to go home with a loonie or maybe two if I could skunk her.
Edna was predeceased by her parents Art and Emma Hartman. She is survived by brother Wayne Hartman (Joan) and sister Anita, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Edna passed away quietly at home with her lifelong soul mate at her side.
She will forever be remembered by her loving family and as a loyal friend to all who knew her.
A funeral service was held on Friday, December 3, 2010 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia with Pastor Gary Henderson officiating.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Edna, may be made by donation to the ‘Canadian Diabetes Association’ P.O. Box 2361, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, V1G 4T9.
Randal Bertram Miller
1957 - 2010
In loving memory of Randal Bertram Miller, resident of Tower Lake, British Columbia, who passed away suddenly on November 19, 2010, at home in Tower Lake at the age of 53 years. Randy was born on July 12, 1957 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Dennis and Wilhelmine Miller. Randy will be cherished, loved and forever missed by his loving wife Charlene Miller of 33 years, his son Tyler (Sarah) Miller and daughter Krystal Miller.
He was such an inspiration to us and always will be. We are so proud of him and the accomplishments he made for himself throughout his life. Everything he has, he worked hard for and earned without the assistance of others. Farming was his passion and he was very proud of his herd of purebred Hereford cows he built up over many years. Randy also really enjoyed traveling to the states and visiting with his family from Germany which he was so proud of.
The things we feel so deeply are the hardest things to say but we, your family loved you in a very special way. They say that memories are golden, and yes that may be true, but we never wanted memories, we only wanted you. If tears could build a stairway and heartaches make a lane, we’d walk the path to heaven and bring you home again. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday November 27, 2010 at the Tower Lake Community Hall. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Randy may be made by donation to the “British Columbia Heart and Stroke Foundation,” P.O. Box 714, Dawson Creek, British Columbia V1G 4H7.