NOURSE, Charles Friday, 27 Apr 2007
Burns Lake, BC
October 18, 1921 – April 27, 2007
Charles (Charlie) passed away peacefully in the Lakes District Hospital Friday April 27, 2007 after a brief illness.
Loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend he will be greatly missed by his wife Pat, son Ron (Gloria) Nourse, daughter Rita (Larry) Hiatt, and grandchildren Denis Hiatt, Nick (Fawn) Hiatt, Jennifer Nourse Hobbs (Travis), Steve Nourse, Allison Nourse, brother Dick Nourse as well as nieces and nephews.
Charlie always had a joke or good story to tell. A man who: shared his wonderful vegetable garden with neighbors and friends; who would drop everything to take you fishing ; who always listened when you had sorrows or a funny story to share especially if you offered to buy him a coffee at the Sandbar. His great sense of humour and quick wit will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. There will be no service. We will gather with family and friends in the summer to celebrate Charlie’s life.
“When travel through this lifetime ends; he is richest who has scores of friends”.
STRATTON, Captain Joel Buck Thursday, 19 Apr 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Captain Joel Buck Stratton flew his final flight West on April 19th. He died of complications from COPD, diabetes, heart disease and pneumonia.
His entire life was devoted to Aviation. He had a successful accident-free career while accumulating over 35,000 hours as a commercial airline pilot and over 5,500 hours as a private pilot. At the age of 16 he got his private pilot’s license followed soon after with his instrument rating and then his commercial rating. He joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1944, flying search & rescue, and in 1953 was hired by Capital Airlines. He became a Captain at the age of 27 and was the youngest pilot at Capital to achieve Captain rank. While flying for Capital he flew the Douglas DC-3, DC-4, Lockheed Constellation and Viscount 745. Capital Airlines then merged with United Airlines and he spent the rest of his career as a Captain with United Airlines flying the Douglas DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, and Boeing 747. His last 4 years prior to retirement in 1988 were spent flying a Boeing 747 as Captain from San Francisco to Japan, China, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.
He is survived by Judy, his wife and partner of 28 years; son Charles (Julie) and grandson Will of Michigan; daughter Carrie (John) and grandchildren Emily and Jacob of Indiana; half-sister Marion of Wisconsin; many nieces and nephews; and cousin Dick Nourse of Burns Lake. He also leaves his devoted dog Gin and cat Sam.
There is to be no funeral service per his request but a Celebration of Life and scattering of his ashes will be held in the summer at his beloved home at Francois Lake.
BECKMAN, Douglas Sunday, 15 Apr 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Douglas passed away peacefully on April 15, 2007 at the age of 81 years. Douglas is survived by his best friend Anna Wiebe; one son Byron and wife (Michelle); two brothers Cecil and Fred; and sister-in-law Florence; many dear nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews and friends. He was pre-deceased by Kathleen Beckman as well as nine brothers.
There will be no service by Douglas’ request, how ever, a gathering will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
BETT, Herbert Sunday, 08 Apr 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Born February 11, 1912. passed away April 8, 2007
Herbert Bett passed peacefully away in his sleep with his family by his side on April 8, 2007 at the age of 95.
Herbert was pre-deceased by his wife, May in 1995 and his son, Edwin in 2006. He is survived by his son, Richard and wife Theresa of Prince George, daughter Dona and husband Michael Desmarais of Kamloops and 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Herbert was born in Boissevain, Manitoba on February 11, 1912. In 1915, the family moved to Carlea, Saskatchewan where they farmed. He married his wife, May, in 1936 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan moving west to B.C. in 1938. After a dozen years in the Fraser Valley, they moved with their three children to Coalmont for a year. Then in 1953, they moved to Burns Lake. After 20 years in Burns Lake, Herb and May moved to Houston where Herbert worked until he retired in 1977. Herbert became involved with the Bulkley Valley Old Time Fiddlers and the Seniors in Burns Lake, Houston and Smithers. Fiddling was an integral part of Herbert’s life with extensive travel to the Senior Games and entertaining throughout the Bulkley Valley and the Lakes District with the BV Old Time Fiddlers.
Herbert’s 95 years gave him a broad perspective of life from horse and buggy days to space travel which he met and accepted in his own quiet way.
MCLARRY, Benjamin F. Saturday, 31 Mar 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Born: March 27, 1927 in Hope, New Mexico. Died: Burns Lake, B.C., March 31, 2007.
He was the youngest of seven kids. Moved to Oosta Lake with his mother and father and three brothers, when he was 12.
They homesteaded on Oosta Lake. And he took out a homestead of his own when he was old enough.
Ben was in WW II, and after working out a while he came back to his homestead and started building up his cows which he loved.
He met and married is wife JoAnn in 1956. They moved to Cheslatta in 1960. They built up their herd of cattle and raised three children and seven foster children.
Ben is survived by his wife JoAnn.; children: William (Char), Kristin, Tyson, Amy, Marion, Deanna, Heidi; Cathy (Edward), Matthew, Megan; Jan (Cliff), J.J.; Hilda (Chris), Carla, Mike, Brian; Murphy and Kerry. And also two great-grandchildren, Dyllan and Gavin.
We Love You!
REYNOLDS, John Ephraim Friday, 23 Mar 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Born in Delise, Saskatchewan to James and Elizabeth Reynolds, John was the eighth of twelve children. He passed away peacefully with his family members by his side on March 23, 2007 at the age of 93.
John was pre-deceased by his loving wife, Theresa on June 28, 1971. He is survived by two sisters, Pearl of Penticton, B.C. and Muriel of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
At the age of four, John moved with his family to Chilco, located northeast of Vanderhoof, where the family homesteaded and welcomed three more babies. During the Second World War (1942-1946), John served in the Armed Forces as an Artillery Signaller in the battlefields of Europe. He returned to live at Forestdale and worked at his brother George’s sawmill in Rose Lake. On April 11, 1959, John married Theresa Peters in Burns Lake. Their first home was at Decker Lake and later they moved to Gerow Island. John then worked at Star Planer before joining the staff at the Ministry of Highways until he retired.
A member of the Sons of Norway, John enjoyed music and dancing. During his final years he lived at The Pines, where he enjoyed the Bulkley Valley Old Time Fiddlers visits to the facility as well as the numerous outings in The Rambler.
The family would like to thank Dr. Norman, Dr. Graetz and Cathy Moroski as well as the wonderful staff at the Pines for the excellent care John received while living there.
The Royal Canadian Legion will be hosting a get-together for family and friends on Saturday, May 26 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Pines.
MILLER, Norman (Shawn) Thursday, 01 Mar 2007
Burns Lake, BC
Our son Shawn died a very severe death on the evening of January 20.
Shawn was only 26 years of age, turning 27 on Feb. 15. He was a really good father. He had two little girls of his own. Lytonya, turning three years on Jan. 31 and Katonna, seven months old. He was also a good and proud dad to three other children, age three, five, and seven years.
He attended college at CNC in the #1 Dads Group, to which everyone there liked him a lot and thought he had a lot of good ideas.
Shawn loved the outdoors. camping, fishing and even hunting with his dad. He enjoyed his parties and loved to BBQ. He was a really good cook and could make borsh soup to perfection.
He loved to ski-doo and dirt bike, he enjoyed the speed and the adrenaline rush of living in the fast lane, like trying to do things that others couldn’t accomplish.
He was always willing to help anyone, and his door was always open to his friends when they needed a place to stay. He had a big soft heart for all in need.
He had made some mistakes in his life, but had matured tremendously over the last few years.
Shawn is survived by his two daughters Lytonya-Lynn and Katonna Melina. His parents, Shane and Hazel Miller, brother Rene Miller and sister Jennifer Bell. Also grandparents Melvin and Ollie Miller, plus numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. You will always be in our hearts and forever in our memories.
Forever loving you, The Miller Family
GRANT, Laura Lee Tuesday, 20 Feb 2007
Burns Lake, BC
It is with deep regret that the local family and friends of Laura Lee Grant announce her sudden passing at Burns Lake on February 20th.
Laura Lee relocated her law practice from Calgary, Alberta to Burns Lake in 1997. Her law practice grew quickly here. Laura Lee gained a solid reputation amongst the local legal community as a tenacious and formidable opponent who fought long and hard on behalf of her clients, especially in Family Law. She was an astute professional who, according to Provincial Court Judge Bill Jack, “...willingly took on the honour and responsibility to serve as Ad Hoc Provincial Court Prosecutor and was an outstanding representation of what legalism really means.”
Laura Lee frequently communicated her succinct views about local issues through the Lakes District News with a sharp wit and a sharp pencil. Most recently, she was ready to wade into the community beautification issue.
Laura Lee was also a willing and very generous donor to local fundraising events and charities in Burns Lake. She had a huge passion for antiques, local auctions, and was well known as a frequent auction visitor actively engaged among the crowd of bidders. She participated every year in the Fall Fair with a selection of canning entries.
Laura Lee’s dream of a farm life and log home on Bald Hill was in the works at the time of her death.
A gathering to remember Laura Lee will be announced in the future.
With love Laura Lee...go on your good way. Richard Bovey and Laura’s Friends
