Obituaries

On Wednesday April 6, supported by her caregivers and loved ones, Minnie Turyk passed away peacefully at the age of 91. Minnie was born in Rossland, B.C. into a large Scottish clan of 8 children and her parents, May and Seath Martin, who had immigrated to Canada in the early 1920s. She is the last of her siblings, who were a tight knit group, all living and raising their families in the Kootenays. Minnie always said they didn’t have very much growing up but remembered her mother...

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Marjorie Joyce Dunn (Nee Gillies) formally of Atikokan, Ontario on the morning of April 6, 2021, in Sparwood, British Columbia. She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur William Dunn (Lucky), who passed away in 1977, and her parents Louise Locking and Gordon Gillies. She is survived by her daughter, Melody Ann Bruce (Keith), her grandchildren, Christopher, Christina Caron (Alain) and April Holcek (Brad), and her great...

Lucille Winnifred Gredzuk, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Monday, April 5, 2021 at the age of 82.  She was born on September 29, 1938 in Fernie, BC.  Lucille is survived by her husband Alex, daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Ray Dykhuizen of Fernie with their children Rosemary (Brad), Megan (Denison), Emily, and Laura; her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Jody Gredzuk of Fernie with their...

On Friday, April 2nd, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Melvin Hillier, passed away suddenly at the age of 74. He was born in Quirpon, NL on January 20, 1947. Mel will be dearly missed by his wife Audrey and their sons Chris and Earl, his grandsons David, Adolf, Nathaniel and Caeden and his great granddaughter Kaileigh. Also left to mourn his passing are his sister Dulcie (Dalton) of Kelowna, sisters-in-law Edna Hillier of the Yukon, and Blanche (Ron) Strickland, Julie Hillier,...

Supported by his family and caregivers, Pieter Pynnaken passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the age of 85. Pieter is survived by his wife Catharina and their 3 sons: John (Charlene), Pieter (Marina), and Fitzgerald (Toni), his grandchildren Christopher, Curtis, Ryan, Zachary, Benjamin, Cassandra, Rylee, and Jaydon, and great grandchildren Eric, Leon, Connell, Zoey, Keelyn and Reyna. Pieter was born April 10, 1935 in Leiden, Netherlands and married the love of his life on December 21,...

On Monday, March 22nd, supported by her caregivers and loved ones, Myria June Kaisner passed away peacefully at the age of 86. June was born in Strome, AB. As a child she moved to Hope, BC with her family, and it was here that she eventually met George Kaisner. They were married in 1953, and lived and raised their six children in the Elk Valley. June managed the Co-Op from its opening in Natal until its closing in Sparwood many years later. She was an active member of the Sparwood Seniors...

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Gerrit Veldman on March 20, 2021. He was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. Gerrit was born in Den-Ham Netherlands on March 28, 1933 to parents Thomas and Alberdina Veldman. He was 16 years old when he came to Canada in 1949, and later met and married Marlene, the love of his life. Gerrit enjoyed his career as a heavy-duty diesel mechanic and was an active outdoorsman for many years. Going for a...

It is with deep sadness and much love that the family of Amelia Beech announce her peaceful passing on March 20, 2021 at the age of 98 years. Amelia was born February 19, 1923 on a farm in Eldorena, AB to parents Anastasia and Harry Chorney; their seventh and last child. She was raised on the farm with her siblings; four brothers and two sisters. To complete her high school education, Amelia went to live with her eldest brother and family in Myrnam, AB.  Upon graduation she enrolled...

We celebrate the amazing life of our dear Eliza. Eliza was born in Fernie BC, August 10th, 1998. She was an adventurous, engaged, and happy child. She excelled in volleyball and track sports and received the Gigliotti trophy for outstanding sportsmanship. She played piano and performed in many recitals; she was a gifted writer and student. Eliza bravely travelled the globe experiencing new countries and cultures. She loved hiking and the beauty of nature, going canoeing, and skiing. Her...