February 24, 1944 – November 3, 2025
at the age of 81 years:
A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Eagle Bay Cemetery 4799 Eagle Bay Rd, Sorrento.
It is with love and gratitude that we remember Marion Ruth Kits, sister, aunt, and friend who went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 3rd, 2025, in Vernon, B.C., at the age of 81.
Marion was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on February 24th, 1944, and spent her early years there, attending public school before moving with her parents in 1957 to Three Hills, Alberta. Marion was a very good student, and she completed her education at Prairie Bible Institute where her faith and curiosity about the world deepened.
In 1969, Marion followed a calling and travelled to Japan to begin language studies. However, after several months of intensive learning, she faced challenges with her health and returned to Canada for treatment. After recovering she went on to work in several office positions. During this time, she became an active member of Willingdon Church in Burnaby, where her faith continued to flourish.
Marion met Ben Kits at Willingdon Church. They married in 1988 and moved to Eagle Bay, BC. After six years of marriage, Ben passed away in 1994.
Marion moved from Eagle Bay to Salmon Arm in 2019, where she lived until her passing.
Marion was a woman of deep faith who loved Jesus dearly. She will be missed by all who loved her.
Marion is survived by her brother John and his wife Dorothy, her sister Kathy and husband Ron, seven nieces and nephews, and many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
We are grateful that Marion has been released from her physical limitations and that Jesus has taken her home to glory.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Eagle Bay Cemetery 4799 Eagle Bay Rd, Sorrento.
May 20, 1933 – October 29, 2025
at the age of 92 years
October 7, 1948 – October 28, 2025
at the age of 77 years:
Celebration of Life: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11am, Broadview Church, 350 30 Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC
Wesley Kenneth Dyck (Wes) was born in Winkler, MB, on October 7, 1948. He grew up the son of a pastor in Regina, SK, and attended Campbell Collegiate High School graduating in 1966. The family then moved to Steinbach MB. Wes attended Hepburn Bible School in SK before moving west to BC. to work as a carpenter in the housing industry. In 1971 the direction of his life changed, and he attended New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wisconsin. There he met Brenda (Perry), and they were married in 1973. Three years later, he moved his young family to Indonesia where he would work as a missionary for the next 28 years. Eleven of those years were spent in the village of Nanga Nyabau where he helped bring the gospel message and plant a church that is still thriving today. In 1989, he and Brenda took on the role of dorm parenting beginning at Wera Falls Elementary School on the island of Sulawesi. This was followed by serving as girls’ dorm parents at Wajok Hulu High School on the island of Borneo, and later at Mountainview Christian School on the island of Java. They retired from the Indonesian field in 2005 and began to work at the mission training center in Durham, ON as teachers and mentors. Following the death of Brenda in 2021, Wes retired from the mission and returned to Salmon Arm to live near family. He surprised his family by falling in love with Sue (Plett). They were married in September of 2024.
Wes passed away peacefully in his home in Salmon Arm, on October 28, 2025, with his wife Sue and his daughter Adrienne by his side.
Wes will be remembered for his many loves. His love for God and his faithful service to Him. His love for his family. His love for others. His love for cars. His love of good food and chocolate. His love of card games, badminton, and disc golf which he primarily enjoyed with his kids and grandkids. He will also be remembered as a steady, wise, and genteel man. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Wes was preceded in death by his mother Mary, his father George, his wife Brenda, and his brothers Howard and Murray. He is remembered dearly and missed greatly by his wife Sue, his children Nathan, Austin (Megan), and Adrienne (Tim Cromeenes), his grandchildren Maddie, Emily, Brennan, and Rose, his mother Esther, his brothers Merrill (Teresa) and Vern (Holly), his sister Jen, his sister in law Susan, many nieces and nephews, and a host of good friends.
The Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11am, at Broadview Church (350 30 Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC).
Gifts in memory of Wes can be made to Ethnos Canada or Ethnos 360 (USA) with designations for Indonesia, Arctic Canada or Establish.
November 14, 1937 – October 28, 2025
at the age of 87 years:
In Loving Memory of Shirley Anne Brownjohn (née Ellis)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Shirley Anne Brownjohn (née Ellis), in her 87th year. Shirley passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She had an infectious smile, a huge heart, and a true spirit of adventure. She lived her life to the fullest — just the way she wanted to.
Shirley’s life began in Vancouver on November 14, 1937, alongside her twin brother, Gordon, to the delight of their big sister, Betty Lou. Her early years were filled with music, ballet, and the love and laughter of family life.
Shirley was a strong, determined businesswoman who enjoyed a lifelong career with CIBC, where she met her first husband, Max Brownjohn. They married in Vancouver, and she lovingly welcomed his three children — Ingrid, Linda, and Roby — into her life. Retirement brought them to their favourite place, White Lake, where they spent many happy days fishing. Shirley sadly lost her first love to cancer in 1996.
Shirley was blessed to experience love twice in her lifetime when she met George Courvoisier, a charming ornamental iron artist hired to make home improvements. What started as a simple meeting quickly blossomed into a love that would last the rest of her days. From the moment they met, they knew they were each other’s person. Over their 28 years together, their lives joined beautifully, and Shirley gained four more stepchildren — Shawna, Deanna, Martine, and Kevin — to love and share her life with.
Together, Shirley and George made the most of every day — celebrating with family, traveling on adventures (especially to Akumal Bay, Mexico), taking countless fishing trips, and always ending the day with a fun, laughter-filled happy hour.
Shirley will be remembered for her love of family, her quick wit, tenacity, charm, and her passions for cooking, gardening, and animals — especially her beloved boys, Joker and Welder.
She leaves behind a family who will forever celebrate her life: her loving partner, George; five stepdaughters, Ingrid (Cam), Linda, Shawna (Bill), Deanna (Clint), and Martine (Garett); seven grandchildren — Seth, Taylor, Sydney, Elizabeth, Owen, George, and Lexi — and one great-granddaughter, Blayke.
Shirley is now at peace, reunited with her parents; sister, Betty Lou; twin brother, Gordon; first husband, Max; and stepsons, Roby and Kevin.
In accordance with her wishes, no formal service will be held. The family appreciates your thoughts and support and will honor her memory at a private celebration of life.
We’ll remember you in the quiet moments and still spaces every day. You live on there — and we will never stop loving you or cherishing the life you shared with us.
“In every moment, in every lifetime — I love you forever.”
— George
August 7, 1947 – October 26, 2025
at the age of 78 years:
Celebration of Life: Saturday, November 15, 2025, Broadview Evangelical Church, 11:00 a.m.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Sandy Smith on October 26, 2025, at the age of 78 years old, to be with her Lord and Saviour.
Sandra was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother and leaves behind her loving and devoted husband Wilfred Smith, her children Renee Krumm, Darin Krumm, Michelle Krumm nee McIntosh and Gina (Richard) Ibach; grandchildren Aryana Krumm, Bailey Hallett, Raquel Hines nee Krumm (Jared), Sterling Krumm, Aimee Hallett, Grayson Hallett, Desirée Flaig nee Krumm (Micah), Rachel Ibach, Easton Ibach, and Jessica Ibach. Her family branch also extended to the fourth generation with three greatgrandchildren: Silas, Helena and Osric.
Sandy’s siblings Cameron Blanco and Sharlene (Virgil) Aldrit as well as her sister-in-law Elaine Blanco shared a lifetime with her.
Sandy was predeceased by her parents Edward & Linda Blanco and brother Evan Blanco.
Sandy added beauty to the world, both in her presence, and with her creative and artistic skills. She welcomed people into her home and enjoyed connecting with family and friends, often over a delicious meal. Sandy was incredibly hard working and overcame many obstacles throughout life with her strength and unfailing faith. She loved camping and exploring new places on afternoon drives with her family, though she equally appreciated the solitude and peace provided by her beautiful surroundings.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Evangelical Free Church, 350 – 30 Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC.
May 19, 1950 – October 20, 2025
at the age of 75 years:
Duncan (Dunc) was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, the eldest of 5 boys and 1 girl. He always was the fun-loving big brother that never missed a chance to raz his siblings but yet would drop everything to lend them a hand. Dunc was the type of guy who would give the shirt off his back or buy a meal for someone in need. Being a young adult he started his trade as a welder and boilermaker. When he married his first young wife Lorraine Grindle he decided to go to SAIT for drafting in Calgary Alberta. Staying with Uncle Jim and Aunt Liz Kitch he developed a great fondness for Ukrainian food. He and Lorraine were married 25 years raising Sandi to be a strong independent individual. They reminded her and anyone else her Cerebral Palsy was just a small aspect of her. He always said “You are not disabled. You are adaptive, figure it out.”
Duncan loved his Harley Davidsons right from a young man on. There was not a spring that you didn’t hear the rumble of his Harley right to the first snow fall or sometimes the second. He also thrived in his sport Tae Kwon Do working very hard as he achieved his black belt.
After moving to BC, he and Lorraine parted ways and each started their new chapters. Duncan accepted Jesus into his heart and became a new person. His new amazing wife Maureen and he had many adventures owning and running a newspaper in Enderby, then doing Christian volunteer work in Israel, Mexico and Hawaii. They happily retired in Keremeos where they eventually renovated a home with the help from brothers and friends. It was during this process that Dunc showed signs of Lewy Body Dementia. He was super lucky that Maureen had experience already with caregiving other family members in the past and Sandi worked in long-term care. Together, they guided Dunc through his difficult journey.
He is survived by his wife Maureen, daughter Sandi, brothers Gary(Lee-Anne), Cam, Dave, Stan(Kim) and sister Lois Fisher(Gord Lou).
He is free now from confusion, fear and pain, being held in his Lord’s arms.
Ride with the wind, Dunc
