Obituaries

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Wolfgang Frank Kunkat. Wolf died at the age of 64 in his home in Fernie, British Columbia. Wolfgang is survived by his children: Holly Theresa McMaster (Claire), Tanya Jean Feller, Cara Christine Piotrowski (Shawn Nelson), and Travis Wade Cannan; his grandchildren: Connor, Kylie, Jordan, Dylan, Bradi-Anne, Noah, Taya, Owen, Marilyn, and Carrie; his sister Karen Mosley, and his...

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow we announce the passing of Glenn Keith Forrester on June 30th,2021 at the Elk Valley Hospital surrounded by his loving family.  A beloved son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, he will be sadly missed by many. Glenn was born in Kelvington, SK on Dec 2nd 1954, the 7th of 9 children and youngest son born to Esther and Frank Forrester. He lived in Rose Valley, SK until 1960 when at 6 years old, the family moved to a...

We’ll miss dearest Helen as she goes to be with Mario in Heaven.  Helen was born in Fernie to Ludy and Katie Latos on September 23rd, 1925 - a sister for big brother Stanley. She attended the Catholic School, completing her formal education before working at M.C. Cash Grocery.  Helen met Mario Fantuz and after a sweet courtship they married on September 24, 1945. Soon there were three children: Walter, Margaret, and Linda to complete their family living in the...

Don Jackson, born October 25, 1946 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan I grew up in Lake Valley, Saskatchewan and graduated from Brownlee, Saskatchewan. After leaving school I went to the West coast and worked in a pulp mill for a short period of time. As the weather and type of work did not appeal, I moved back to Saskatchewan and went to STI in Moose Jaw to get a business degree. I then went to work at the Hudson's Bay company in Regina and then as a salesman at Moore Business Forms. After a...

Born in England in 1925, Ron immigrated to Canada at a young age with his family and settled in the small coal mining town of Michel, BC. There he grew up struggling through the Great Depression until WWII came around. Eager for adventure he joined the navy to become a mountain boy on the seven seas. As part of his service, he participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy which would earn him the French Legion of Honour many years later (pictured). Upon his return home he worked in the...

With family by her side, Shirley Klassen, our beloved mother, grandmother, and gran gran, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on June 26, 2021 at the Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie, BC. Shirley is survived by her son Larry and his children Shawn (Shea), Ryan, Kyle and Sarah (Levi), her daughter Debbie (Greg) and their children Trena, Tania (Kenny), Tara (Evan), her daughter Robbie and children Shirley (Wayne), Dayle (Barry), Jason (Marcella), her son Richard with his daughter...

Our kind and loving Judy/Doods has now joined her partner, Paul Motley, after a short courageous battle with cancer. She is survived by her brothers Steve (Carolyn) and Mike (Kathy); her children Kim (Earle) and Jay (Colleen); stepdaughter Merri-Lee Motley; grandchildren Erik, Jordi (Dylan), Darren, and Amy; as well as many other beloved family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Mickey (Mabel) Turner. Judy was born in Ladysmith and raised in Salmon Arm, BC. She...

With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Vanessa Germaine Hutchinson (nee Walmsley) who was born in Blairmore, Alberta on January 23, 1963, and passed away suddenly at her home in Hosmer, BC on June 16, 2021. Vanessa attended schools in the Crowsnest Pass and went on to work for the District of Sparwood for 30+ years. Vanessa is survived by her husband of 33 years, Neal Hutchinson, her mother Betty Walmsley, sisters Mavis Walmsley (Rick O’Donnell), Ardyth Chambers (Tim),...

Alexander Gredzuk, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and uncle passed away peacefully at the Elk Valley Hospital with his children by his side on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the age of 89.  He was born March 18, 1932 in Fernie, BC. Alex is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Ray Dykhuizen and their children Rosemary (Brad), Megan (Denison), Emily and Laura; his son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Jody Gredzuk and their children Sarah (Kadin) and Tyson (Alexis),...