February 23, 1931 – October 5, 2023
at the age of 92 years:
We will celebrate Mom`s life on October 21, 2pm at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort, 251 Harbourfront Drive NE, Salmon Arm
Sienie was born in Holland and was the eldest of 8 siblings. When she was 20, she met a charming young man who was about to immigrate to Canada. After a period, Sienie joined him in Canada. She kept busy helping Dad with farm work, making carrot cakes for who ever wanted one, making pressed flower cards and a lot of raking as her yard had no boundaries.
Sienie is missed by her children Dorothy Kuich, Nonie Saunders (Dan), Bill Bykerk (Bernadine), Richard Erickson (Jennifer), 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
We will celebrate Mom`s life on October 21, 2pm at the Prestige Harbourfront Resort, 251 Harbourfront Drive NE, Salmon Arm. We would love to see old and new friends.
It is a privilege to have known this caring, talented, lovely lady.
I was first introduced to Sienie when visiting a friend from Calgary who had moved to Salmon Arm. Thereafter anytime we took a road trip in BC we called in with Sienie. Even though there were years between visits, Sienie never changed: always a cheerful welcome. She truly lived her faith and encouraged others.
Sienie was a giving loving lady who will always be remembered. We met in 1953 and my parents thought the world of both Fritz and Sienie.
Aww, Sienie, you are finally reunited with Fritz. You were an exceptional woman and I am so grateful to have lived with you, learned from you and known you. I will forever remember you and your adventurous spirit in your wonderland, breaking ice off the roof (at 80+ years old), picking apples and plums, rock hounding, chasing away bears, making greens powder (which I still make too) and making carrot cakes which were also works of art. I lost touch in the last few years, but I have always thought of you with such warmth. There will never be a plum season in which you will not be in my mind and heart.
Rest in peace and so much joy – you did a brilliant job living a wonderful and inspiring life!
Dorothy and family, I am so sorry
our sincere condolences to the Bykerk family. We knew your Mom for many years. She took great pride in her yard and her beautiful pressed flower calendars. Sienie was a wonderful neighbour to all.
Sienie was the first person I met in Salmon Arm when we moved there-she came over in the spring of ’78 and introduced herself and welcomed us to the valley. She was a blessing when we had to move and mom refused to move with us-often she came to check on her and make sure she had meals as her awareness of her surroundings diminished. She was finally moved and Sienie bought her house for her grandson to live in. She was such a busy ,caring person and we miss her.
I too have many great memories of Sienie — going back to the 1970’s. I taught at Salmon Arm West School. That first day of teaching in September, there were flower arrangements for the teachers and a big basket of goodies in the staff room to help us through that first week back to school. Fritz was our friendly custodian. The school was shining, bright and welcoming. Over the years, there were lovely visits with Sienie and Fritz at the farm. I loved Seine’s stories and zest for life. I missed visits with her when I moved to Victoria. My condolences to her family. She was a wonderful person.
Sienie was a member of the Shuswap Lake Health-Care Auxiliary for a number of years. She always had a smile and loved to tell you about the various activities she had been involved with in her younger years. Sienie made lovely pressed flower greeting cards and perpetual calendars which were sold in our Gift Shop.
I miss her visits to the hospital when delivering her beautifully crafted cards. Unfortunately, I never got to taste her carrot cake, or pick plums from her trees.
Edie Swanson, President, Shuswap Lake Health-Care Auxiliary, Salmon Arm.
I have so many great memories of time spent with Sienie. I miss visiting the old place, and yes…her special carrot cakes. She took such pride in taking care of her yard and orchard – always well groomed and beautiful. I still laugh (and cringe) at her walking up to a cougar and grabbing her chicken from its mouth. She was fearless, active and a very Godly person. She knew just about every one in Salmon Arm and Silver Creek – you just had to go shopping with her. I loved her a lot, and will miss her.