It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Robert William Pretula, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at the age of 68 years. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Kathleen, four children , Ila Sutherland, Chris Pretula, Jason Brown all of Kamloops, and Deborah Stefanek of Kimberly, nine grandchildren, also  Aunt Carroll Harknett of Parkville, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family. Robert will be forever missed by all his family and his many, many friends. The family would like to thank the staff in the Trinity unit at Overlander Hospital for the care they gave. There will be no formal service and donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

October 8, 1920 – June 16, 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lloyd at Royal Inland Hospital while recovering from hip surgery due to a fall.  While on the home stretch to his 100^th birthday, the Lord called Lloyd home on June 16, 2020.

Born in Minnedosa, Manitoba to parents, Bill & Mae Funnell, and the 2^nd youngest of four boys.  He was raised on the farm, attending the district’s one room school house until Grade 8, when he began work to help support the family due to the hardship of the depression.  Lloyd enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army, Artillery Unit, in 1941 in WWII, served in England Coastal Defence, N.W. European Campaign, and the D-Day landing at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944.  After returning to Canada in 1946, he returned to the family farm.

Lloyd married Norma in 1951, and shortly after headed to BC seeking work opportunities.  They had two daughters, Lynne born in Williams Lake & Lois born in Quesnel.  The family had to return to Manitoba in 1954 to operate the general store in Onanole, MB owned by Lloyd’s father-in-law, who passed away.  His employment in construction began in 1957 in the Zinc Plant of Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting in Flin Flon, MB, 1965 to 67 at the potash plant in Esterhazy, SK, 1967 to 69 in the tar sands of Fort McMurray, AB.  While in Alberta, in his late 40s, he studied and obtained his Millwright Certificate.  In June of 1969 the family moved to Kamloops, BC where Lloyd’s work included the Mica Dam Project in Revelstoke, co-owner of a Pool company, a home building company, and various home renovations.  He was a hard worker, and was going strong into his 80s.

His passion was game hunting, & early morning coffee at A&W or MacDonalds with his buddies, but church life was priority to Lloyd.  He was one of the original members of Bible Truth Church at its beginning in the Summer of 1975.  He loved to talk about the Word of God.

A highlight for Lloyd was when he travelled to France in June of 2004 to be a part of the celebration of the 60^th Anniversary of D-Day.  As a Veteran he was highly honoured by the French citizens.  This was a very moving experience for him.  As of January 27^th 2020 Lloyd was awarded the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour (the highest national order of France), by order of the President of the Republic of France, in recognition of his personal involvement in the liberation of France during WWII, together with an insignia he could proudly wear.

Predeceased by his parents, Bill & Mae, wife, Norma, brothers, Frank, Leonard & Lance, sisters-in-law, Margaret, Mary & Betty, & his nephew, Robert (“Bob”).  Lloyd is survived by his daughters, Lynne (Joe) & Lois, his grandsons, Nathan & Tim, his nephews & nieces, and many friends. 

Sincere appreciation to Art & Elsie Thiessen of Lilac Manor, & Shannon, for their exceptional and loving care of Lloyd since March of 2019, accepting him into the home as “family”.  The Lord Bless You!

A special thank you to Dr. Dusik and the nursing staff on 6N for their care of Lloyd & communication with our family in his final days.

Due to the current pandemic, there was a Graveside service for the family on June 22^nd, 2020, and a Celebration of Life will be live-streamed on YouTube, BTC-YouTube Channel, on Saturday, June 27^th at 1:00 p.m. for all who wish to join us virtually.

It is with deep sadness that the family of Verna Lorraine Wasylnka announce that on Saturday, June 13th, 2020 she passed away due to complications from COPD.

Verna was predeceased by her parents, Omer and Kathryn Porter, her husband, John Wasylnka, her brother Norman Porter, her sister, Frella Koski, her brother-in-law Frank Swanson, sister-in-law Arlene Porter, her son-in-law James Flux, her nephews Ronnie Mould, Dean Mould and her niece Wanda Mould.

Left to cherish her memories are her sisters Lorna, Thurza, Donna, Velma (Stan), Linda, brother Wesley, brother-in-law Tom.  She will be dearly missed by her children Karen Flux, Calvin (Cathy) Kirsh and Kathryn (Brian) Andriashyk, her grandchildren Ryan Roch (Cameron), Carlie (Chris) Coben, Clinton (Samantha) Kirsh, Crystal (Ryan) Campbell, Courtney Kirsh (Dan), Karri Lynn Andriashyk (Jason), Stacie (Chris) Andriashyk Bourdon, Hollie Andriashyk (Rick), her great-grandchildren Lilly, Andie and Hugh Borrett, Ella and Addy Coben, Preston and Greyer Kirsh, Allie, Colton and Cassie Campbell, Callie and Macie Croxall, Donnie Andriashyk, Brendan and Dylan Collins, Symone and Justine Bourdon as well as many other family members and friends.

Verna was born on August 24, 1933 near Landis, Saskatchewan in the same home as her father, Omer Porter had been born in.  She was the eldest of nine children.  When she was a young child her family moved from Saskatchewan to the Vancouver, BC area for a few years and then on to Quesnel, BC where she met and married Irwin Kirsh and where their three children, Karen, Calvin and Kathryn (aka Kiddo) were born.  In the early 1970’s Verna and Irwin separated and she moved briefly to Cache Creek, BC and then on to Kamloops, BC where she met and married John Wasylnka. She remained living in Kamloops until 2011 when she decided, after the tragic loss of her husband, John in an automobile accident in 2005, that it was time to downsize and move on to a place more manageable.  She moved to Surrey, BC into an apartment in the same building as her daughter and son-in-law, Karen & the late Jim Flux.  This arrangement was perfect for her last few years and when her health deteriorated, Karen and Jim were able to assist her in her daily living so she could remain in her own home.  They were good company for her and took great care of her during her final years.  Verna loved and was proud of her three children, their spouses and all of her grandchildren and loved their visits, letters and phone calls.  Despite of her deteriorating health, she remained in her own home until the last three months of her life where she received excellent care at Zion Park Manor in Surrey, BC.

Verna left home at an early age.  Being the oldest of nine children and living with the struggles many families faced during the depression, she learned early in life to be a hard worker and she was fiercely independent.  First, at a young age, making it out in the world on her own and always finding work at a variety of jobs.  And then for many years taking care of her home, raising her family, working on a potato farm, building a home and farming with Irwin Kirsh in Quesnel.  Once in Kamloops she worked for many years, from the mid 1970’s to the early 1990’s, as a server at the Village Hotel.  Although she worked hard all her life for everything she had and always paid her own way, she was very generous when it came to donating to charity or helping any family member in need.  She always kept a meticulous home and was a wonderful cook.  She had beautiful hand writing and was great at spelling which was something she always took pride in given the little formal education she received as a child.  She loved music and she loved to dance.  For many years she enjoyed travelling to the US and trying her luck at the casinos.  Verna also took great interest in and was very knowledgeable about world politics.  She knew the history of it as well as was always up to date on the latest happenings around the world.

There will be no formal service by request. During a family ceremony, Verna was laid to rest in a private family burial at Hillside Cemetery in Kamloops, BC.  If you so desire, please make a donation in her memory, she would have chosen the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, 938 West 28th Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 or online at www.bcchf.ca

December 11, 1950 – June 01, 2020
With sadness, we announce the passing of Frederika (Freda) Van Evelingen. Freda passed away peacefully on June 1, 2020 at the Royal Inland Hospital.

Left to mourn are her sister, brother, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and many dear friends.

The family would like to thank all the staff who have helped in so many ways at the Kamloops Ponderosa Lodge as well as the doctors and nurses at the Royal Inland Hospital.

Due to COVID-19, a celebration of Freda’s life will be held when it is deemed safe for all to congregate.

“No time to cry. Don’t shed a tear. I am with God; I have kept the faith, fought the good fight and am now at peace.”

November 14, 1933- June 12, 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Sanesh Higgins on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Kamloops Hospice after a sudden stroke.  Elizabeth was born in Yellow Creek Saskatchewan November 14, 1933.  She moved to Vernon and then Kamloops where she enjoyed operating Coffee Shops, the last of which was the Sandwich Tree. Elizabeth could be found serving her customers with a smile and a kind word.  She is predeceased by her parents Steve and Katie Sanesh and son Dale.  She will be dearly missed by her loving husband of forty years, Bob, daughter Marcey (Marty), sons Chris, Jeff, and Robert (Holly), sisters Rose and Katie, brothers Steve and Bill (Karen), grandchildren Steven, Jamie and Dustin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. 

In respecting Elizabeth’s wishes, she was cremated and a private family service was held in Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her amazing doctor, Dr. Mavis Hollman as well as all the employees and volunteers at Kamloops Hospice.  Your attentive care to our loved one was greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Kamloops Hospice, 72 Whiteshield Cr. South, Kamloops, BC V2B 2H7.