Donald, John Monday, 04 Feb 2008
Smithers, BC
It is with great sadness that the family of John Donald announce his sudden passing in Calgary, AB on Feb. 4, 2008.
Donna and John had spent the winter months visiting with family in Alberta and BC and were making their way home to Whitewood, SK when John took ill and passed away.
John leaves to mourn his wife, Donna, of 55 years, eight children, 21 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 13 honorary grandchildren.
Children: Richard (Lorna), Carolyn (Fred Hainstock), Lana, (Cal Letts), Leann (Harley Otteson), Ken, Corrine (Kurt Hainstock), Garry, Lisa (Dan Palumbo). Grandchildren: Jason Burton (Tanya Shaw), Kevin (Denise) Letts, Lindsay (Dylan Llewellyn), Cody Summers, Maygann Donald, Shane Letts, Ryan Donald, Mercedes Palumbo, Donna Donald, Bobby Donald, Linda Donald, Jamie Donald, Kyle Robertson, Nico Palumbo, Eric Robertson, Lee (Tammy)Normandy, Michelle (Peter Hearty), Guy Hainstock, Julie (Jason Shields), Amanda Lapaige, and Aaron Leblanc.
Great grandchildren: Jayliegh Shaw, Taylor Shaw, Taylor Pederson, Ryzon Letts, Kyler Hebert, Davyn Hainstock, Jack Hearty, Gus Hearty, Cassia Hainstock and Vegas Malsbury.
Honorary grandchildren: Shane, Tessa, Kyle, Brooke and Brady Hainstock, Shaun, Jacob and Jaden Hainstock, Kelli, Chris, Brandon, Haley and Luke Adams.
He also leaves to mourn his passing, his sister Clara Tolley, brother/sister-in-law; Bill/Lucy Donald, sister/brother-in-law; Doreen/Ken Elliot brother-in-law; Ken Vennard, sister-in-law/brother-in-law; Carol/Cliff Miskosy, sister-in-law/brother-in-law; Marion/Jim Calder and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held in Whitewood, SK on Feb. 11th, Father Francis officiating. In lieu of flowers donations were made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in John’s name. Donna has decided to return to BC to spend time with her children. Cards of condolence can be sent to Donna c/o 1601 11th Ave East, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 2X5
Messier, John Edward Thursday, 31 Jan 2008
Smithers, BC
Messier, John Edward passed away January 31, 2008. Long time resident of Smithers and Vancouver, B.C. Born November 19, 1943. Survived by daughter Tonya (Darryle) Ludwig; granddaughter Quidji-Bo age 7. Dorothy Premack (Stahel) former wife.
Predeceased by Mr. Joseph E. Messier and Mrs. Helen Messier; sister Pat Liebel (Goumans) (Messier). Also pre-deceased by Brenda Messier and daughter Ruth Messier.
Left to miss him, two sisters; Jean Olson (Messier) and Vivian Baxter (Messier); nieces and nephews; Jodie, Peter, Doug, Patricia, Dennis, Cheryle, Shane, Cindy, Valerie, Virginia, Phillip. Also many other family and friends. A service will be held in Vancouver at a later date.
Goertzen, Myrtle Sarah (Campbell) Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008
Smithers, BC
April 15, 1935 - Feb. 27, 2008
Born in Glenvowell, B.C., Myrtle was one to never give up on anybody, or whatever she was doing. She was dependent on the spiritual strength.
She was a mother to many children, and grandmother to many and a friend to many, both in the white culture and with her own people.
She worked at the hospital for 25 years, starting at an early age worked both at the elementary school and high school, was involved with Health many years, as well as many others, like Drug, etc.
She had a large family, 11 children, five step-children, 34 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren.
She will be missed by husband Geo Goertzen, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, that words cannot explain.
Love, G. Goertzen, husband
Tonnesen, Carol Ann Monday, 25 Feb 2008
Smithers, BC
March 11, 1945 to Feb. 25, 2008
Carol Ann Tonnesen passed away at her home in South Hazelton on the morning of February 25. Carol was born in Vancouver the second child of Helen and Windsor Miller. After a short time in Vancouver they moved to Grand Forks where Windsor Miller passed away when Carol was five years old. Helen then moved with her young family to Smithers where her family lived. In 1966 Carol married Edward Tonnesen and moved to South Hazelton where she resided until her passing.
Carol is survived by her brother Larry (Marion) Miller and her two sisters Joan (Gary) Rysavy and Cathy Burgess. She is also survived by her husband, Edward, three children Robert, Steven (Sue), and Charissa, and two grandsons Oliver and Aodhan.
Carol was cremated and a funeral service was held for her at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Hazelton on February 29, 2008.
DeGrasse, Marjorie Monday, 25 Feb 2008
Smithers, BC
Our friend, Marjorie DeGrasse, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 25, 2008. Marj was born in Garsen, Manitoba. At the age of two, she moved with her family to a homestead just west of Moricetown. After leaving there to attend art school in Vancouver, B.C., she returned here to the Northwest where she worked and raised three children.
As a young woman she worked with horses in the fields and skidded ties, which were hewn by her brothers and husband Cliff DeGrasse. These experiences are represented in her paintings and drawings, which are well known locally.
She was a founding member of the Northern Saddle Club. Her contributions to the horse world will be remembered by many.
As chief operator with B.C. Tel for years, and supervisor at the Northern Training Centre, she touched and enriched the lives of many, because of the way she recognized and nurtured the good in others and brightened the day for each person she met.
She will be deeply missed by her family, her extended family, and friends. We know she’s surrounded by her beloved horses, wherever she is.
Marj wished to be cremated and have her ashes scattered on the property she loved. There will be no immediate services for Marj. Saturday, June 28, 2008 would have been her 83rd birthday. Her daughters, Judy Lee and Lindley Frank will be organizing a “Remembrance Of Her Life” for that date. We will post an advertisement with the details. Thank you all for your kind words of remembrance for Marj.
Olsen, Ron Sunday, 24 Feb 2008
Smithers, BC
Feb. 15, 1957 - Feb. 24, 2008
Ron leaves behind his wife Carole, children Bobbi Lynn, Aaron, Tyler & Tanner; parents Ida & Art Olsen, mother & father-in-law Marvin & Arlene Osmar; sister Sherry & husband Carl VanHeyst; sister Tammy & husband Rod Snelgrove; sister-in-law & husband Katie & Don Koldyk; brother-in-law James Osmar; grand-daughters Victoria Dawn Turnbull, Ashlyn Boan & Stephanie Boan; nieces Noelle & husband Joel Strain, Cassandra Snelgrove, Micheala & Kristen Piazzini, Sydney & Eden Osmar, nephews Bradley Beninger, Micheal Snelgrove & Collin Osmar, & great-nephew Cohen Strain.
Cardinal, Gary W. Sunday, 24 Feb 2008
Smithers, BC
The family of Gary W. Cardinal sadly announces his passing on Feb. 24, 2008. Gary died at the age of 50 from diabetic stimulated cardiac arrest.
A Celebration of Life was held on Feb. 29 at Banner Mountain Lodge on Babine Lake Road and a second service was held on March 3 in Saddle Lake, AB where Gary grew up. His cremains will be spread on his chosen locations in Saddle Lake, Babine Lake and in Kootenay National Park where Gary once worked as a Park Warden. While in Smithers, Gary worked for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as a Fishery Officer and later, an Implementation Officer for Aboriginal Fisheries. He was a true outdoorsman and loved the sport of rodeo. Gary will be missed by many, but mostly by his wife Dorothy and sons Brodie and Levi.
Let us remember the smiling,
the laughing, the talking,
the sharing, the caring,
and the loving.
Let us remember the good times
— always. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BV Bowmen Archery Club through the BVCU.
A “Celebration of Life” Service for Ron Olsen will take place on Saturday March 8, 2008 at 2pm.
FONTAINE, Fred Alexander Sunday, 18 Nov 2007
Smithers, BC
FONTAINE: Fred Alexander, passed away Nov. 18, 2007, in the Bulkley Valley District Hospital at the age of 75 years.
A long-time resident of the Bulkley Lodge, Fred loved to go on walks and drives with his friend Joe. He also enjoyed dancing and playing cards and saying hello with a smile and a handshake.
Fred will be missed by many in the lodge and has a soft spot in the staff's heart.
A graveside service will be held Wed. Nov. 28, at 11 a.m. in the Smithers Cemetery, with Rev. Dayne Goertzen officiating.
Arrangements were entrusted to the R.A. Schrader Funeral Home, Smithers.
Service with Dignity
Ryan, Rachel Blanche Tuesday, 13 Nov 2007
Smithers, BC
With much sadness we regret to announce the death of Rachel Blanche Ryan (nee Stokes). Rachel was born on Aug. 25 1970 to Lawrence and Francis Stokes in Smithers, B.C. She passed away from a malignant brain tumor on Nov. 13, 2007 at St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital, Edmonton, AB with family be her side.
She leaves her loving partner Dale Larsen, two sons, Sterling and Courtland Ryan and stepson Rielly Fraser of Edmonton, brother and sister, Hud and Eryn Stokes, and nieces Jules and Falon of Terrace, grandmother, June Nash of Summerland, B.C., parents Francis and Lawrence Stokes of Kitwanga and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Rachel was well loved. She fought a good fight and did it her way.
Cancer cannot kill courage.
Cancer cannot kill love.
Much thanks to family and friends for kind words and deeds.
