PETERSON, Stanley Bruce Monday, 14 Jan 2008
Burns Lake, BC
Stan was born in Camrose, Alberta. His family moved to Telkwa in the early 60's. Since then, Stan lived and worked most of his life in B.C. For the last 15 years, Burns Lake has been our home.
Stan was a mechanic but he was also a carpenter. Four years ago, we bought a house, and with the help of a lot of good friends and Stan's expertise, made us a snug and cozy home.
He enjoyed fishing, bow-hunting, and golfing, but most of all, playing percussion instruments (especially his hand-made wooden spoons) wherever and whenever live music was happening.
The Royal Canadian Legion was his socializing and pool playing spot after work.
Stan will be sadly missed by many friends and family, and especially his 17 year partner in life, Audrey Donahue.
LLOYD, Burleigh Thomas Thursday, 10 Jan 2008
Burns Lake, BC
passed away peacefully at the Burns Lake hospital after a long illness. Survived by Tom Lloyd (Sharon), Nancy Young (Sonny), Mike Lloyd, Phil Lloyd. Grandchildren: Korena Andrews (Mike), Jason McCloy (Andrea), Heather Lloyd, Ginny Lloyd. Great grandchildren: Kaelen, Rachel, Isabella. Nieces: Phyllis Miners (Barry), Sandra Brooks (John).
When a loved one becomes a memory the memory becomes a treasure.
Donations to the Burns Lake Palliative Care/Hospice room at the Burns Lake hospital in lieu of flowers would be appreciated.
HARMS, Mark Wednesday, 02 Jan 2008
Burns Lake, BC
Mark Harms was born to Vern and Hilda Harms on January 5th, 1969, a New Years baby in the Burns Lake hospital. He must have been awfully eager to get home because rather than wait for the ferry, his mom and dad drove across the ice to get him home to Southbank. This was the beginning of a life-long love affair with home and family.
Growing up on the shores of Francois Lake, Mark soon discovered fishing, a serious pastime which he quickly mastered, or was just darn lucky at. As just a little tiker he was casting off the forestry dock in front of the house and managed to land a four pound rainbow. It wasn't long before all of Southbank knew about his catch as he jumped on his bicycle and hauled that fish around for all to see.
At 16, Mark quit school and wet to work. It didn't take long to figure out that school wasn't so bad, the following year he returned to school in time to graduate with his friends.
Mark picked up another hobby in his teenage years, one he never quite outgrew. Doing smoke-shows! Anywhere. Anytime. twenty-two sets of back tires in two years. His brother Dwayne would often man the camera to record the event.
It was at a New Year's party where Mark met Jenny Chretien, another New Year's baby. He asked her out and on January 12th 1992, they went on their first date. Mark then proceeded to break the first rule of dating, he showed up an hour early. So Mark got a crash course on "meet the parents". All went well after that and on July 20th 1996, Mark and Jen were married.
They bought a piece of property just outside of Burns Lake and set up house. After a few years, Mark found his true calling in life.. fatherhood. Chelsea Ann was born on Feb. 3rd, 2000. It must have been fun because two years later, Adam Bradley was born on Aug. 23rd, 2002.
Mark threw himself wholeheartedly into being a dad. His schedule at the mine allowed him to be involved in every aspect of the kids' everyday lives. He relished this opportunity as it allowed him to knowing his kids completely. Mark never tired of spending time with his kids and he was very good about spending time with the kids doing kid stuff rather than the kids spending time with dad doing dad stuff.
Now just in case you think Mark was perfect, he wasn't. Mother's Day and Jen's birthdays were not a strong point for Mark, but surprises for Jen were. Surprises that included: extra time off work, coming home early, and even an electric guitar were sprinkled throughout their marriage.
Mark will forever be remembered for his ability to brighten up a room, his genuine smile, his youthful enthusiasm, his positive outlook. Mark was a happy guy, and he didn't mind spreading it around a little. Marlene and Melvin both say that it didn't matter if they saw their brother for five minutes or five hours, most of the time was spent laughing.
Mark loved and was loved, and he will be sadly missed by so many. But he will live on in our memories, and in the eyes of his children.
So, Mark, we hope where you are, the hooks are always baited, the fish are always biting, and your lines are always tight. Keep your tip up, buddy.
HORLICK, Bruce A. Van Tuesday, 18 Dec 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Bruce passed on peacefully and quickly at his home on Francois Lake in the manner he had always wanted. He was granted his wish. He was a good man who loved his Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. He was always to be admired for his honesty and friendliness. He adored wildlife and nature. BC born and raised he spent most of his working career with the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission as a Spawning Channel Project Manager. He was the first manager at the Nadina River Project and retired from there to live on the North shore of Francois Lake.
He will be greatly missed his son, Tim C. Van Horlick (Toni), Granddaughters Tara (Shaun) and Kymm (Nathan), Grandson Ryan (Nadia) Great Granddaughters, Hannah and Madeline, Daughter, Jheira, Son, Randy, my Stepmother Jo and her family, the Touronds, his many friends along “The Lake” and all the Van Horlick relatives, Brother Buster and Sister Grace and families.
A memorial (a celebration of life ) will be held at my residence in Quesnel on what would have been his 84th Birthday on Jan 15, 2008 from 1pm to 4pm. (250-991-6578) His ashes and a permanent marker commemorating his life and love of the area will be placed on the shores of Nadina Lake.
KNELSEN, Elenora "Nellie" Monday, 10 Dec 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Wife and mother, Elenora "Nellie" was born in Dunelm, Saskatchewan, on March 7, 1917 and married John in McMahon, Saskatchewan on November 10th, 1940. Nellie went to be with her Lord, Monday afternoon December 10th, 2007.
Nellie was pre-deceased by her:
Son - James, son-in-law - George, parents - Henrich and Catherina Reimer, also, her two brothers, nine sisters, one sister-in-law and ten brothers-in-law.
Nellie leaves behind to mourn her:
Husband - John, sister - Agnes, children - Richard (Grace) Knelsen, Rosalind Illes, Peter Allan Knelsen, Tim (Jean) Knelsen, Judy (Willy) Buhler, Marian (Bruce) Thomas, Dolores (John) Kennedy.
Grandchildren - Litonya, Ryan, Les, George, Pomroy, Brian, Tracy, Trevor, Rod, Terry, Angela, Gloria, Abram, Gillian, Keenan, and Rhett, and 24 great-grandchildren.
Brothers & Sisters-in-law - Helen Bueckert, Abram Knelsen, Mary Olfert, Jake (Susie) Knelsen and Jessie Krahn.
Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Smit and Dr. Purdon, the hospital staff, the homemakers, and, of course, the Senior Citizen Housing Board and staff at Tweedsmuir House. We also thank Pastor Frances, the Island Gospel Congregation and the ladies mission group for all their love and support.
KUNTZEMANN, Sirkka Friday, 30 Nov 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Sirkka Kuntzemann passed away in Burns Lake on Friday, November 30, 2007 at the age of 81. She showed unbelievable strength and courage in the months following her April diagnosis of lung cancer.
Sirkka was born Airi Sirkka Annele Huhtala on June 5, 1926 in Alaharma, Finland. Her young life was not easy but Sirkka was always strong in character and values. That strength served her well as a new immigrant to Vancouver, Canada in 1951 and through difficult times in later years. Sirkka married Heinz Kuntzemann in 1956 and they blended their families (Sirkka’s daughter, Liz-Anna, and Heinz’s son, Ralf). Barbara-Jean was born in 1960. In 1963, the family moved to Nakusp from New Denver. Heinz and Sirkka separated in 1971 so in 1974, at 48, she returned to school to complete her grade 12 education and to train as a bookkeeper. She was a valued employee of the Heritage Inn (Hume Hotel) in Nelson, BC until she retired in 1995.
Sirkka was a talented and creative woman. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. She could make delicious meals out of whatever was on hand and turn hand-me-down clothes into stylish dresses for herself and her daughters. She continued to design her own clothes and sew for family until this past year. She designed wonderful gardens, including a monumental rock garden in New Denver, and painted and stitched beautiful décor for her home. She would admire a piece of needlework and knit, crochet or sew her own version, usually lovelier than the original.
In 1999, Sirkka moved to Burns Lake to be closer to family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was always ready to show her love with a cup of tea and something fresh from the oven. The birth of her great granddaughter in February gave Sirkka much joy in these last months.
Sirkka was loved dearly and will be sadly missed. She leaves her children, Liz-Anna (Bill), Ralf (Michelle) and Barbara-Jean; her grandchildren, Alistair (Valerie), Airi (Shane), Justin, Michael, Cameron, and Christine; and her great granddaughter, Birch.
A service to honour Sirkka’s life will be held at St Paul’s United Church in Burns Lake on Saturday, December 22nd. In lieu of flowers, donations to support the Pines Rambler in Burns Lake would be appreciated. She loved the access this seniors’ service gave to her community. Cheques should be made payable to Northern Health Authority and sent to NHA c/o Tanya, Suite 700, 299 Victoria St., Prince George, BC, V2L 5B8 - Pines Rambler/Sirkka Kuntzemann in the subject line.
SAARI, Leslie William (Billy) Tuesday, 27 Nov 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Billy was born at home in Trout Creek at Francois Lake, BC to Frank and Ida Saari. In 1941 he moved with his parents to Raush Valley. He continued to live there until 1995 when he moved into Dunster. Billy passed away in hospital in McBride after a short illness.
He was pre-deceased by his parents, sister Sylvia and her husband Olaf Hietala, sister Bertha and her husband Art Moore and nephew Edwin Hietala. He is survived by nephew Walter (Dorothy) Hietala, Laila Chaple and Milton (Carolyn) Moore and many great nieces and nephews.
PIPER, Hedy Elizabeth Friday, 16 Nov 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Hedy was born in Danzig, Germany August 10, 1928 to Fritz and Elizabeth Klutentreter. As a point of interest Danzig no longer exists. After the war, the borders changed and the location is now in Poland. The family immigrated to Canada in 1930 when she was one year old. After crossing the Alberta plains in a covered horse drawn wagon which converted to a sleigh in the winter (possibly one of the first convertibles in Alberta), they settled in Flatbush. The family managed to eek out a living on a small sheep farm and her father Fritz also worked as a Blacksmith. He told the grandchildren his stories of working a forge, fixing wagons, greasing wagon wheel hubs and such things we now only imagine from the wild western tales of old.
Hedy had two brothers; the younger was Morris Klutentreter from Edmonton who pre-deceased Hedy by a few years, and the elder 81 year old Kurt Klutentreter. Kurt moved from his farm a number of years ago, (which is currently run by his son), and still resides in Toronto.
Hedy married Donald Louis Piper in Faust, Alberta on the 12th day of July 1947. This was the beginning of a long and interesting life raising eight children. The list of children beginning with the eldest starts with, Donald Wayne Piper (wife Gloria), Ronald Dale Piper (deceased), Linda Doreen Ronningen (husband Raymond), Garth Len Piper (deceased), Brenda May Fountain (husband David), Michael Stephen Piper, Gerald Blake Piper (wife Coleen), and the baby of the family, Sandra Lorraine Saunders (partner Harry). The eldest children were born at various locations in Alberta, the middle children in Vanderhoof, B.C. and the youngsters at the old hospital in Burns Lake, B.C.
Don, Hedy and family moved to Vanderhoof where Don made a living as a cat skinner for Alcan working at Kenny Dam. They then moved to Ootsa Lake around 1956 and worked on the construction of the Ootsa Lake Spillway. Their first home was the upper floor of the three story Hudson Bay building, located at the bottom of the Ootsa Lake hill (near the school house). No electricity, indoor plumbing, or running water. Washing clothes was with a scrub board. It wasn't an easy life but it was the same for everyone and considered normal.
After the Spillway was completed, Alcan gave Don a job operating and maintaining the Spillway gates, monitoring the lake level and weather for approximately 24 years. When telephone finally came to the Ootsa Lake area, many may recall a party phone line where the Piper home was summoned with one long ring and three short rings cranked out on an old wall mounted phone.
After many years involvement with the Wisteria and Ootsa Lake recreation organizations, school board representation, guiding, fishing and visiting with the neighbors, the Pipers became very settled and an integral part of the community. The close friends they made remained soul mates for years to come.
Hedy was diagnosed with cancer years ago after all the children were born and when she went for surgery, her mother came from Alberta to look after the children. Thankfully the surgery was a success and life returned to the abnormality of eight children. Hedy was known for her Avon sales, work for the March for Dimes and as a fantastic camp cook when the Spillway needed concrete repair. The Piper home was also a central location for meeting friends for more than a few drinks of whisky and beer, poker, and usually a massive vat of chili. After a dance the continuing festivities usually ended with an early morning feed of bacon and eggs.
After Donald's retirement from Alcan, they moved to a home near the Bald Hill Road area and also maintained an A-frame cabin on the shores of Francois Lake down Tatalrose Road. To supplement retirement income, Hedy took on the mail delivery contract from Burns Lake to Ootsa Lake and all points in between. This continued for five years until taken over by a new contractor. After Don's passing on September 27, 1995, Hedy moved into Ron and Debbie Shively's guest house, she then bought a small home beside the creek on Sixth Avenue. In 2006 Hedy moved into Tweedsmuir House where she enjoyed the company of many people she knew over the years. She truly enjoyed the entertainment and socializing as well the down home cooking and personal care she experienced.
Hedy was the mother of eight children and enjoyed a family spread of approximately 23 grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
If a successful life is measured by a giving, loving soul with never a self serving thought, Hedy filled to overflowing, a very large measuring cup.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the St. Paul's United Church, doctors, nurses, people of Tweedsmuir House, the Royal Canadian Legion, and all the warm, sympathetic caring and assistance provided by her many friends.
Hedy will be missed by many, and forgotten by few.
