- British Columbia, Canada, Marriage Index, 1872-1935 -
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Hazel Roberta Smith (nee Oakes)
June 30, 1926 ~ December 2, 2012
Born in Blairmore, Alberta, Hazel grew up in the heart of her little town. Her father, Robert Oakes, was a Fire Boss at the coal mine. Hazel’s mother, Sarah Jane, was a dedicated homemaker and mother. Hazel grew up with her sister Ruth and also had three half-siblings, Jack, Olive and Edna.
Hazel spoke often of her happy childhood and she remembered her school years with fondness. After graduating from Grade 13 in 1945, she worked at Thompson’s Dry Goods and then on March 5, 1946, she married her sweetheart, Joseph Smith from two towns over, Bellevue, Alberta.
They headed for greener pastures - the BC Kootenays, settling in Creston. Joe and Hazel set up house temporarily in the Bide-a-Wee cabins, as they built their home on the Erickson property they called “The Farm”.
They quickly began their family, creating a haven brimming with life. Their six children were born over a span of three decades, ensuring a lively and busy household.
Hazel and Joe dedicated their lives to serve Jehovah in 1955. They firmly believed in a resurrection to a restored paradise earth, which scriptural hope they shared for over 50 years with their neighbours in Creston.
Hazel was an organized housekeeper and was very industrious. She loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens, taking pride in the things she grew. She spent many hours in her kitchen, cooking delicious meals and baking her favourite goodies. She was famous for her large “family” dinners.
For 44 years of her married life, she was employed for a portion of each year at the fruit-packing shed where she worked efficiently as a packer. Since her husband Joe also worked there, supper table conversations were often filled with packing shed stories. She loved the “Girls” she worked with and spent the last several years of her life visiting many of them at their homes.
Hazel was a loving wife and mother and always had time to listen in spite of how busy she was. She was eager to have fun, whether it was playing a game, going out for a meal or enjoying an outing. She loved to be around people and was sincerely interested in the welfare of others.
Joe and Hazel spent sixty-two years from, 1946 to 2008, in the home they built and the orchard they loved. Due to health concerns, they had to leave their home in March of 2008. They lived briefly in Crestview Village before moving to the Swan Valley Lodge in Creston where Joe passed away in November of 2008. Hazel remained in the tender care of the kind Harris Unit staff until her death.
She will be deeply missed by Children: David (Cheryl), Robert (Diane), Judy (Robin), Roger (Shelley), Kathy (Greg) and Douglas (Chelsey); Grandchildren: Andrew, Cadence, Susan, Jason, Joseph (Michelle), Deborah (Devon), Erin (Vance), Willow (Jon), Chelsea (Micah), Logan, Forrest, Austin, Brooke, and Tia; Great Grandchildren: Spencer, Capri, Sawyer, Hayden, Cole, Lindyn, Rhys, Seth, Shae, Parker and two more on their way.
Psalms 37:11 - “the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace”
Edwards, Isaac James (Jim)
Isaac James (Jim) Edwards passed away peacefully on December 1, 2012 in the Swan Valley Lodge at the age of 91 years.
Jim was born to Martha and George Edwards on June 6, 1921 in Bredenbury, MB.
Jim married Mary Stella Spychi on January 5, 1946 in St. Catheral, ON, after spending six years in the war. Jim was a long time member of the Royal Canadian Legion and in his free time he enjoyed camping, fishing and playing darts.
Jim was predeceased by his wife, Mary Stella Spychi, on April 21, 1969; son-in-laws Darwin Hollowink on August 1, 2004 and Glenn Johnson on September 21, 2012.
He will be lovingly remembered by sons Jimmy (Dorothy) Edwards Alvin Edwards, Garry Edwards, Dennis Edwards and Robert Edwards and daughters Becky Johnson, Carrie Hollowink, Shirley Kovich and Christie (Ted) McQuarrie
A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the G. F. Oliver Funeral Chapel with Canon Randy Wood officiating. Interment followed the service at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC.
Any friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Royal Canadian Legion – Poppy Fund, P. O. Box 135, Creston, BC, V0B 1G0
Barefoot, Helen
Barefoot, Helen Gail ( nee Morehouse)
Wife of deceased Calgary Police Inspector, Harold Barefoot, mother of only child, Harolyn Gail (Wayne) Long of BC, grandmother to Denton Craig and great grandmother to Alexandra and Liam, all of Calgary, AB, mom’s favourite city. Helen passed away at Swan Valley Lodge on Tuesday November 27th, 2012 at the age of 94 years, with family by her side. Mom was born on January 17th, 1918 to Ada and Stewart Morehouse at Prince Albert, SK. She moved to Calgary, AB when she was eight. Mom volunteered for the Canadian Red Cross Foundation, the Foothills Hospital and the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
A heartfelt thank-you to Silver Willow Lodge, Nanton, AB and Swan Valley Lodge, Creston, BC for the compassion, care and good meals that mom spoke of often.
Be at peace Mom and know you did your best for all you met and nurtured.
MacKrell, Edgar Andrew
Edgar Andrew MacKrell passed away on November 16, 2012 in the Creston Valley at the age of 88 years.
Edgar was born on March 13, 1924 in Dodsland, SK.
Edgar married Beatrice VanKoughnett in Calgary, AB in 1952.
He had numerous jobs in a variety of places, including Calgary, Dodsland, Boswell, White Horse and then back to Boswell where he lived the last 30 years. Edgar was an avid wood worker and horse man.
Edgar was predeceased by his wife Beatrice Lorraine MacKrell (nee VanKoughnett); daughter Wendy Marlene Beier (nee MacKrell); and granddaughter Jocelyn Candice MacKrell; along with three sisters and two brothers.
He will be lovingly remembered by his son Douglas Andrew MacKrell; four grandchildren; one brother; two sisters and many niece and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday November 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Boswell Community Hall.
Any friends wishing to send flowers in Edgar’s name may do so to the Crest View Care Village, 800 Cavell St, Creston, BC, V0B 1G4.
Florence Moseley
May 28, 1921 – November 8, 2012
Florence passed away peacefully in Creston, BC at the age of 91 years. Florence was born Florica Ropcean in Bellis, AB in 1921, one of fifteen children. She grew up with a love of music, a sense of fun and a very strong work ethic. She worked at several different jobs, most including cooking and cleaning.
In 1947, Flo married Jack Moseley. Together they cooked in various camps and spent summers helping run the Marble Canyon Bungalows in Kootenay National Park. In 1960 they bought the 70 Mile Café and lived and worked there for many years. When they sold the Café, they built and started the Buck & Doe Neighbourhood Pub. They “retired” to their Cherry Orchard and home in Wynndel, BC. For the last nine years, Florence has lived at Swan Valley Lodge.
Florence will be lovingly remembered by her son Richard (Gail); grandsons Brent (Chie) and Evan; brothers Johnny (Irene) and Victor (Grace); sisters Sylvia Cox and Caroline Wiwit and many nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank the staff at Swan Valley Lodge for the wonderful care they gave Florence. Our Floss was “one of a kind” and will be dearly missed.
Christenson, Grant
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Lowell Grant Christenson announces his passing on Saturday, November 3, 2012.
Grant was born on August 12, 1942 to Clarence and Ethel Christenson, he was the eldest of four siblings with Gordon, John, and Sheila to follow.
Graduating in Creston, he went on to study Commerce at UBC. However his love of the land drew him back to his homeland, followed closely by a girl from the city who soon became his bride. A strong work ethic and a love of the land were instilled at a very early age; working alongside his dad in the fields of Christenson Bros. Farms for over 35 years.
Throughout his career he grew a variety of grains and other seed products. He also provided alfalfa for the Dehy Plant and potatoes for Swan Valley Foods. He was a director of the Reclamation Dyking District for many years and volunteered for Ducks Unlimited along with Bettylou where he was introduced to many new friends across the province.
Hunting and fishing were hobbies he enjoyed as he traversed over mountain ranges, explored rivers, lakes and streams and shared his love of nature with his children and grandchildren. More recently an interest in lapidary afforded him new friendships with members of the local rock club. He took great delight in being the first person in the world to see the inside of any stone. Countless hours were spent in his shop and family and friends were frequent recipients of his jewelry.
Grant faced his diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer with courage and determination. His humor and positivity endeared him to the medical staff that supported him through treatments and gave his family and friends continual hope for an extended stay.
Grant will be forever loved and remembered by his wife of 48 years, Bettylou; daughter Leah and Troy of Coaldale, Alberta; son Brad and Tanya of Creston; grandchildren Taylor and Ryan, Rylee, Jenna, Brendan, Kieran, and Tess; brother Gordon Christenson of Creston (Terry, Traci Cathy, Jeff); brother John Christenson of Pender Island; sister Sheila Christenson of Coldstream, BC; uncle Jim Mather and numerous cousins of Creston.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, November 12 at 2:00 pm in the Creston and District Community Complex – Creston Room.
In lieu of fl owers, friends may donate to their charity of choice or to the Cranbrook Oncology Department, 13 – 24th Ave. N Cranbrook, BC V1C 3H9.
