July 21, 1944 – May 6, 2023
at the age of 78 years:
A celebration of life will be held in honor of Leona at the Field of Dreams at 2:30 on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
It is with heavy hearts, the family of Mary (Leona) Johnson announce her sudden passing at 78 years old in Salmon Arm, BC on May 6th, 2023.
Leona was born and raised in Terrace, BC where she met her husband Jack Johnson and worked for Reim Motors. Leona and Jack welcomed 2 children into the world and spent their early years in Nass Camp and then returned to Terrace for 3 more years. The family moved to Salmon Arm in 1976, where she resided for the remainder of her life. Leona worked at the Greyhound Depot for over 20 years.
Leona will be remembered for the beautiful life that she and Jack created together for 60 years. She was known for her kindness, her contagious laugh, and her ability to bring people together. Leona spent her free time baking and canning, camping, playing cards and curling in her younger years.
Leona was predeceased by her father and mother Charles and Mary Abney.
Leona will be greatly missed by her husband Jack, stepmother Florence, her daughter Dana (Kelly), her son Kevin (Trina), step son John (Alanna) and step daughter Lori-Ann (Rocky), along with her grandchildren Chad (Jorri), Drew (Elizabeth), Megan, Levi (Courtney), Bryana (Rob), Jackilee, Sydni, Shane, Brittany (Nick), Jared (Robin), Jenna (Liam), Travis (Jessica), Janelle (Jeff) and her 14 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held in honor of Leona at the Field of Dreams at 2:30 on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023.
This will be an opportunity for us to gather and honour Leona’s life in a meaningful and peaceful way. We will come together and share stories and memories of the special times we spent with Leona, remembering the love and joy she brought to everyone’s life.
March 19, 1917 – May 9, 2023
at the age of 106 years:
A celebration of Edna Ratliff will be held at Grace Bible Church – 5661 Silver Star Rd. Vernon B.C, on June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Committal – Salem Cemetery Waldheim SK on June 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Edna was born on a farm in Elbow, SK to Lorne Abrams and Lena (Miller) Abrams, the third of four children. Her father died shortly before she turned six and although they were poor she had a happy childhood. When Edna was seventeen a travelling evangelist held special meetings in her hometown. He preached John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave His only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. “ From then on her highest priority was to live for God and to serve Him wholeheartedly. After high school she attended Millar College in Pambrun SK for three years. It was there that she met her future husband Ed Ratzliff from Waldheim SK and married him after graduating.
Ed and Edna pioneered the Church of the Open Bible in Swift Current Sask. and eventually went as missionaries to Ethiopia with SIM. After the Second World War, the King of Ethiopia welcomed missionaries to start medical clinics and schools to help educate his people and he would then allow freedom of religion. So, with three young children, Bob, Dennis, and Ruth, they headed to the remote and mountainous region of southern Ethiopia. Their fourth child, Eunice, was born four years later in Addis Ababa. They served with SIM for twenty-nine years.
They eventually moved to Vancouver Island and were involved in camp ministry at Camp Qwanoes. They retired in Abbotsford and after Ed’s death in 2006, Edna moved to Vernon B.C. to reside near her daughter Eunice and husband Larry Woelke.
Edna had 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 1 great, great-grandchild, with another to arrive this month. And the legacy goes on.
Edna lived a rich and inspiring life influencing many as a public speaker and teacher. One of her greatest joys during her 80’s and 90’s was teaching women in Bible Studies. Even at the age of 106 she had a keen mind, was a voracious reader and was still walking daily. Edna was an amazing and memorable lady. She was strong minded, spunky, vivacious, classy, and lived out her Christian faith to the very end. She walked into the hospital 19 days prior to her passing and after she was told she had a serious case of pneumonia, she told the doctor, ”I want to go to heaven. I have lived long enough!” When hospice was discussed with her, she said she would like that, but really didn’t know what they did there. The doctor asked, with amusement, “What would you LIKE to do there?” and she answered with enthusiasm, “I would like to read!” In reality, Edna struggled with very poor eyesight, she had difficulty hearing and life was becoming increasingly difficult for her. She remained a blessing to many around her to the very end. She will be missed.
A celebration of Edna Ratliff will be held at Grace Bible Church – 5661 Silver Star Rd. Vernon B.C,
on June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Committal – Salem Cemetery Waldheim SK on June 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
April 23, 1937 – May 24, 2023
at the age of 86 years:
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Church Hall at 450 Okanagan Avenue E, Salmon Arm, B.C. from 11:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, June 17th, 2023.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ethel May Eveneshen on May 24, 2023, in Salmon Arm at the age of 86 years. Ethel was born Ethel May Ellis on April 23, 1937, in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. She was the second youngest of seven girls.
She completed high school in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan where she met her soul mate, George Eveneshen, to whom she was married for 67 years.
She is survived by her husband and two sons, Douglas George and Grant RV, and their families. She leaves behind five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Ethel will be held later in June. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shushwap Hospital Foundation. We wish to thank everyone for your prayers and kind words of support.
July 3, 1926 – January 13, 2023
at the age of 96 years:
Please join us for an Acadian lunch to celebrate the life of Bernie on Saturday, May 27, 2023, 12pm, Notch Hill Hall, 1639 Notch Hill Road, Sorrento, BC
Bernie passed quietly at Bastion Place after a brief illness, on January 13 at age 96.
He was born in Moncton, New Brunswick on July 3, 1926. He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Beryl (1998); his parents, Lévi and Loretta; his brothers Rudy (Flora), Eric (Annie) and Pierre (Honorine) and sister Stella (Henri). Left to remember him fondly are sister-in-law Annie; brother-in-law Henri; his large extended family and many longtime friends.
Bernie joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1944 at the age of 18. He worked as a surveyor with the Mapping and Charting Department of the Royal Canadian Engineers and rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.
He travelled throughout the northern wilderness by dogsled and packhorse train during the postwar years when the defense of the North was a priority for the Canadian Military. He surveyed and mapped areas of the country that had not been precisely charted until then. He was awarded a Centennial Medal in 1967 for his contributions.
He and Beryl moved from Ottawa to BC in 1973. It didn’t take long for Bernie to become actively involved in the Sorrento community. He worked as a contractor building houses, he participated on the Sorrento Water Board and was a member of the Shuswap Volunteer Fire Department. He was honoured as Citizen of the Year in 1989.
Bernie was never idle and he truly enjoyed being around people. He loved spending time at Romyn’s farm in Notch Hill; hosting parties and preparing delicious food for his friends and neighbours. In his retirement he learned to ride a motorcycle, fly an ultralight and he travelled across Canada in a converted school bus with his restored 1928 Ford Model A in the back.
Even after suffering a stroke, he never lost his zest for life. From the comfort and confines of his recliner, he still managed to give good advice, get his neighbours to attend to his needs like a well-disciplined military unit, enjoy a glass of rum with his friends on Friday nights and hand out jars of New Brunswick lobster to anyone who dropped by. He still loved good food and had a twinkle in his eye until the end.
Sincere gratitude to all the Community Care Aides and neighbours who took such good care of Bernie for many years; allowing him to live in his home for as long as possible; to the staff at Bastion who gave him loving care and comfort in his last year and to Dr. Osmond for her genuine compassion.
Bernie was a proud Acadian, which showed in his joie de vivre, good times shared with friends and his deep connection with his family’s history.
À la prochaine, mon ami.
A celebration of Bernie’s life will take place at the Notch Hill Hall, 1639 Notch Hill Rd, Sorrento, at 11:00 a.m. on May 27, 2023. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to honour Bernie’s memory, donations may be made to the Shuswap Branch of the BCSPCA. Many an orphaned cat found love, comfort and safety in Bernie’s home.
January 17, 1927 – October 17, 2022
at the age of 95 years:
Celebration of Life at St. John’s United Church, 920 Central Avenue, Grand Forks, BC on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
Harold Dietrich Funk died peacefully October 17th in Salmon Arm, BC with his daughters by his side. At the age of 95 he lived a very full life enriched by his constant sense of adventure and curiosity.
He is survived by his siblings Ken Funk and Carolynn Smith, his four children Cheryl, Lynn, Ian and Les, his grandchildren Patricia, Brian and Andrea, and his great grandson Thomas. He is predeceased by his siblings Rodney, Les, Paul, Darlene and his beloved wife of 63 years, Phyllis.
Born in 1927 in a Mennonite farm community in Morse, Saskatchewan, and as the oldest of seven children, he had a strong sense of responsibility to family and community. He developed deep rooted socialist beliefs which were reflected in his activities through church and community groups. He met his wife at South Hill Baptist church where they attended youth group together and sang in the choir. As a shop teacher they raised their four children in Surrey, BC on a hobby farm, and retired to Grand Forks, BC to be close to his mother and siblings.
He shared his love of nature and community with everyone. His hobbies included singing in three choirs, being active in St John’s United church, attending concerts, farming, and participating actively in community groups, including the peace movement and the NDP. As a keen enthusiast of physical fitness he rode his bicycle into his 80s, and attended Aqua Fit till his 90s.
He was an early advocate for the environment so in his memory we will turn out our lights more often, run the water a little less, walk more, and eat all the food on our plates.
Family would like to extend their appreciation to everyone in Grand Forks, BC at St John’s United church, and Silver Kettle Village, and in Salmon Arm at Hillside GSS for all their love and support.
Celebration of Life at St. John’s United Church, 920 Central Avenue, Grand Forks, BC on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to any group you feel would honour Harold’s memory.
November 9, 1943 – May 20, 2023
at the age of 79 years:
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Anita Elaine English. She passed away May 20, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family and in the kind and compassionate care of the staff of Bastion Place.
Anita was born in Moose Jaw, SK on November 9, 1943. She loved to laugh and she loved her ice cream. We will miss that laughter.
She was predeceased by her beautiful daughter Valerie Melito.
She is survived by her other beautiful daughter, Karen Crowther, her grandchildren: Amanda (Steve), Alicia (Dave), Jessie, Sean, Andrea, and Sarah (Davin) and her great grandchildren: ShyLynn, Alysa, Gavin, Seth and Austin.
There will be no service by request.
