August 31, 1926 – March 17, 2020
at the age of 93 years
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mom. She was born in New Westminster and lived there for 90 years and then moved to Salmon Arm for her last 4 years. She was predeceased by her husband, John (Jack), her sisters Inez and Eleanor, and brother Bill. She is survived by her sons Bob (Sandra), Doug (Lynn), granddaughter Danielle, sister-in-law Mary Chance, and nieces and nephews. Mom was a dedicated Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, and friend to all who knew her. She lived a wonderful life, loved to travel, and passed away peacefully at her senior’s care home. She will be missed by all who crossed her path and we will always remember her with love in our hearts…today and always!
Share condolences and memories of Lorraine through her obituary at www.fischersfuneralservices.com
December 19, 1934 – March 17, 2020
at the age of 85 years
March 26, 1948 – March 17, 2020
at the age of 71 years
If you knew Don, you knew that smile and that he was always quick to give you one. We said good bye on March 17th as Don passed peacefully, ending a brief but valiant battle with cancer. Don was the 3rd son & twin (Doug) born to Raymond & Leona Hemeyer, in Ponoka Alberta. Survived by his brothers, Dennis(Maggie) , Robert “Bob”(Anita) & twin Douglas “Doug” (Carol), His wife/best friend Gail, their two children Art (Chantal), Lorelei (Rick), grandchildren Byron, Braedon, Brienna and Desiree. Nieces Jackie, Brenda, Nephews, Micheal, Brent, Wayne, Kevin,
Don was born into a family of farmers, where his love of the land began. He had a green thumb and could turn bare land into a a beautiful yard , with green grass & fruitful gardens. Don grew up on the farm but decided at an early age, that he wanted to see more. One of his first jobs was at a lumber yard, that was the start of a long career & many moves with Beaver lumber. Medicine Hat, Milk River, Rimbey, Prince George, Russel & Dauphine Manitoba, Leduc, Forestburg, Ponoka, where he and Gail moved to her family homestead, but Don was restless again… Grande Prairie, Berwyn, Salmon Arm, Edmonton, Kelowna and finally Salmon Arm again. During his travels he gave up Beaver and tried a number of things, sold insurance, worked for the Alberta government, owned a convenience store & restaurant, managed a jewellery store, worked at Home Depot, then semi retired working part time for his son at Arthur’s Gemset Studios. He built and reno’d houses along the way, always making a house a home. If you spent the day with Don, you would be offered a beer, share some laughs and hear some pretty fun, crazy stories of his youth, the farm & amazing friends he’s made along the way. Wherever Don & Gail lived they made life long friends . As “Grampa” he had a playful side and loved to shock his grandkids with his humor, they were the “apple of his eye” and he loved spending time with them, teaching them & always making them laugh.
Don was loved by many & will be terribly missed… we can be comforted knowing he is in a paradise riding his mower through a field of beautiful green grass, a beer in his hand, a smile & sunshine on his face.
The family will have a memorial at a later date. A special thank you to Dr. Heunis & the palliative care nurses at Shuswap Lake General Hospital.
June 16, 1967 – March 16, 2020
at the age of 52 years
April 8, 1937 – March 15, 2020
at the age of 82 years
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16
Gerarda (Gerda) Van Der Zweep (previously der Kinderen), born Gerarda Janssen in Venray, Netherlands on April 8, 1937, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2020 in Salmon Arm, BC, at the age of 82. She is survived by her two daughters, Astrid (Carlo) Eberle and Monique (Texas) Peck, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, as well as her husband Eling (Ed) Van Der Zweep and his children and grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother and two sisters and many nieces and nephews, as well as several close friends, residing in Holland.
Gerda was born the second twin after her brother, Antoon. Their unique bond and rascally adventures as children remained a defining characteristic and the description “rascal” suited her throughout her life. She was always up for anything.
She was an athletic woman in her youth, playing European handball in Holland where she met her first husband, Dili. At the age of 39, she embarked on the greatest adventure of her life, moving from Holland to Prince George, BC, Canada with her husband and two daughters, then aged 14 and 9. Remarkably, they found other Europeans interested in putting together a European handball league and she continued her legacy in the sport, taking the Prince George team to bronze and silver medal victories at the Canadian National Handball Championships in consecutive years.
A year after Dili passed away following a battle with lung cancer in 1996, Gerda moved to Salmon Arm, BC. She instantly fell in love with the community and immersed herself in volunteer activities. Gerda was a “doer”. Whether cooking for the soup kitchen, visiting and volunteering at care homes, working at Church’s Thrift Store, collecting clothing, or knitting and quilting for donation to various organizations, she always had several causes on the go. She prided herself in giving and always led by example.
Gerda was blessed with a second chance at love and at the age of 69, married Ed Van Der Zweep and they shared more than 13 special years together.
She built meaningful friendships throughout her life and after marrying Ed, fostered special bonds with each of his children and grandchildren. To many of his grandchildren, she was simply “Oma” and she filled that role with dedication and intention.
Gerda will be missed by many, in her home community and beyond, by family by birth and family by extension, by organizations she can no longer be a part of and a church family where her absence creates a notable void.
Due to the current situation, a service will not be held at this time. As soon as it is safe to do so, a church service will be arranged and a gathering to share our special memories of Gerda will be held.
