Hans Baron passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 9, 2020 at the age of 95.

Hans was born Janis Barons  on October 2, 1924 in the  small community of Patashi, Abrenes in eastern Latvia. By the end of WWII, after being liberated by the American troops, Hans worked in their kitchen in Schwetzingen, Germany. Here he met his future wife, Else.

He, Else and daughter Vera immigrated to Canada in 1955. Two more daughters, Nadja and Luba completed the family in 1955 and 1958.

Hans worked for Alcan Inc. in Kitimat until his retirement. While living in the north he enjoyed salmon and crab fishing and dappling in some gold mining.

He and Else spent their retirement years in Coldstream where they enjoyed many happy years gardening. People would often stop by to admire their property. Hans was especially proud of the spring fed pond he built for raising trout. His grandchildren have fond memories of catching fish and releasing them and occasionally falling in the pond.

Hans is fondly remembered by his friends for his great sense of humour, integrity and willingness to lend a helping hand whenever needed.

In his declining years Hans lived with his daughter, Luba, in Kamloops.

Hans is survived by his three daughters, Vera Hamson (Tom), Nadja Baron (Tony Mullens) and Luba Baron (Nick Milligan), grandchildren Susan Pomaranski (Miles), Cherie McLean, Michael Hamson (Pamela), Nicholas Mullens (Whitney), Kristine Hamson (Colin), Tarah Nightingale (Mike), and numerous great grandchildren.

Hans was predeceased by his wife Else, his parents Pavils and Stepanida Barons, and brother, Mikelis Barons.

A private family Celebration of life will be held in the future.

William “Bill” Sinkewich  passed away in Kamloops on August 21, 2020 at his home that was filled with love and all his family by his side.

He is survived by his wife Mary, children Cheryl Sinkewich-Kirstien, Terri Langlois (Norm), Lyle (Jim), Rob (Gail), grandchildren Chandra, Whitney, Brendan, Kelley, Chase, and his sisters Annie, Emily, Lois, May and brother Walter. He is predeceased by his parents Justin and Christina (Byrum) Sinkewich, brother Pete and sister Elsie.

Bill was born on the family farm in Belloy, AB. The third of eight children, he graduated Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary in 1957. He later joined the Alberta Society of Engineering Technicians in 1964.

In 1955, he met Mary Chrystyn while they were both working in Hythe, AB. They married in 1957, and soon after started a family. While raising their four children in Grande Prairie, AB, Bill worked his way up from Lineman to Transmission Manager of Alberta Power (ATCO). Outside of work, he was active in Rotary and coached minor hockey and softball. His own love of travel inspired him to purchase Trumpeter Travel in the 80’s, and allowed him to enjoy trips through the Panama Canal and the Amazon jungle. Later he would visit Australia, Europe, and his extended family in the Ukraine.

He retired from Alberta Power in 1991 and spent more time with his family and playing golf. In 2005, he and Mary moved to Sun Rivers, Kamloops, BC. It had been a goal of Bill’s to live near a golf course. Weather permitting, Bill golfed five times a week and scored a few Hole In Ones. The golf course also allowed Bill to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounded their home. After he was done having dogs of his own, he would walk his children’s dogs through Sun Rivers.

Bill was a generous man and always made time to listen or share his expertise. He would gladly solve electrical problems in person or over the phone. He never missed taking out a sister for lunch on her birthday or having a coffee with his children and grandchildren. He was also an active member of the Rosewood HOA, and was awarded Volunteer of the Year in Sun Rivers in 2013.

Bill said his proudest achievement was his family. He also loved indulging his wife with stops at outlet malls on their many road trips, iced cappuccinos in the afternoon, moving plants in her garden and waving his arms in his front yard to shoo away the mountain sheep hellbent on eating her plants. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.

Bill will be cremated and his ashes scattered at a later date. No public service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation in Bill’s name to your favorite charity.

Mary Anne Bernt (nee Cooper), 74, passed away in Kamloops on September 3, 2020 after a long struggle with dementia, lung cancer and other related illnesses. Mary was born in Kamloops, BC on November 24, 1946 to parents Henry and Elizabeth Cooper (Dunlop). 

Mary’s happiest moment was when she met the love of her life Ron Bernt. Their first date was on Friday, February 13^th, an unlucky day for some but not them. They were married shortly after on July 10^th, 1970. Their circle of love was completed with the arrival of their two daughters, Wendy and Jennifer Bernt. 

Mary loved children. Once her own daughters were school aged, she rejoined the work force as a child care worker for the Kitimat Child Development Centre and she retired as a supervisor with that agency.  Mary worked with children of all abilities and was greatly fulfilled by her work. The children and families she worked with benefited from her kind and loving nature and her dedication.

Mary was known for taking care of people. She sent her daughters care packages at school (and well into their adult years in Wendy’s case), took homemade soup to friends/family who were sick and had friends over for coffee to lend them a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen.

Mary also loved gardening which she passed along to her youngest daughter Jennifer. Friends and family brought her dying plants and she coaxed them back to life. She took barren yards/landscapes and turned them into things of beauty.

Mary was predeceased by her husband Ron but is survived by her daughters Wendy and Jennifer, her brother Tom Cooper (and wife Betty), her brother in law and sisters in law from the Bernt side of the family, her beloved beagle Macy, plus nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many, many friends all of whom are better for having known Mary.

Due to COVID19, the Celebration of Life for Mary is postponed until 2021, in hopes that more people will be able to safely travel and meet to celebrate this amazing woman. An announcement about the timing and location will be made closer to the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in Mary’s name to the Kitimat Child Development Centre.

The family of Dana Floyd MacArthur would like to announce the passing of Dana on September 4, 2020.

Dana was born in Melfort Saskatchewan at Union Hospital to Dorothy and Frank MacArthur on April 18, 1945.

Dana spent his youth growing up in Melfort, Pleasantdale Saskatchewan. As an adult he moved to Kamloops, BC to be with his brother Jim (Alice) Strachan. Dana passed away at Ridgeview Manor where he lived his last years.

Dana is survived by his brothers Jim (Alice) Strachan of Kamloops, and Skip (Lorraine) MacArthur of Morrin, Alberta. Sister Pat (Stan) Bell of Stettler, Alberta.

His nephews Barry (Paula) Strachan of Kamloops, Shawn (Karen) Strachan of Alberta.

Nieces Tara and Alicia Bell of Camrose , Alberta and great nieces and nephews.

Dana loved his family and was a true cowboy at heart and loved to be with horses. Many thought he should have been part of the old west. Dana enjoyed having coffee at Dee’s every day with the boys.

Dana will be laid to rest with his Mom and Dad in Pleasantdale Saskatchewan in early spring.

Many thanks Dr. Wynne, nurses and staff at Ridgeview for such good care of Dana.

Thanks for the memories.

“Uncle Dana we love you, we will all miss you!”

Dec 20, 1933-Sep 4, 2020

Marion was born in Clarenceville, PQ, and brought up Chateauguay and Stanstead. After secondary school in Westmount and Stanstead, Marion earned a BSc(Hc) at Macdonald College of McGill University and during summers worked as a telephone switchboard operator. It was at Macdonald that she met her future husband, Roger, and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage. After Macdonald, she taught home economics at Smith’s Fall (Ont) Secondary for a year. Marriage and a move to the Lower Mainland of BC led to a job as a laboratory technician in the Red Cross blood lab, eventually becoming chief technician. A further move to Chase and the adoption of two children made Marion a mother. A spell as a bank teller, followed by partnership in Cloud 9 Fabrics led to custom dressmaking and the sewing of many quilts filled her days. Later years were enlivened by weekly Bridge games and a small circle of friends.

Always friendly, Marion was a good mother and a great partner,

 who will be forever missed.