On Saturday, April 25^th our beloved Mom passed away peacefully, surrounded by the things most precious to her.  We will be forever grateful to Kamloops Seniors Village for their compassion and support through these past four months.  Mom loved her new home and mentioned the hug every night that her Care Aide gave her before she went to sleep.

Mom and her twin sister Catherine were born at Royal Inland Hospital 89 years ago.  Their birth caused quite a stir in the community because so few multiple births survived.  For many years people would knock on the Owens’ front door and ask to see the twins!  Mom was raised in a happy, loving home by Jessie and William Owens.  In addition to Catherine (Ken), she had an older brother (Dr.) Bill Owens (Marion) and little sister Jeanette (Bill) McQuay.  Except for Marion, her family are all gone now.

In 1954 Mom married the love of her life, Victor Newman of Brocklehurst.  They were hard workers and made each other laugh every day.  Mom had two kids, Vicci and Bobby, who she was fiercely proud and protective of.  She loved being a mother-in-law to Cathy Newman and Tony Ryan.  In fact, she often mentioned that she loved them ‘best’.  Christine (Bob & Cathy’s daughter) was Mom’s only grandchild for many years but later in life Carling, Erin (Mitchell) and Caitie joined the Newman Clan when Vicci married Tony.  Christine was so lucky to grow up next to her Grandparents at the lake.  In addition to her immediate family, Mom opened her home and heart to three people that we consider important members of our family; Jim, Susanna and Alex.

For over 20 years Mom worked for the Kamloops School Board as the Teacher-On-Call Secretary.  At work by 5:30am, Mom would field calls from teachers who were ill. In the years before automation, Mom knew all the elementary teachers by name, knew what kind of teaching style they had and was able to select the right sub for the right classroom.  She knew the subs individually just by the sound of their voices. 

After she and Dad retired they spent many happy days with her siblings at Shuswap Lake.  All the Owens siblings had purchased in the Sorrento area and they saw each other daily.  This meant the cousins saw each other frequently, and to this day the cousins call the Shuswap, ‘Auntie Wyne’s Lake!’

Wyne and Vic loved their life.  They had a close, happy family which included the Newman siblings – Gwen, Darrel and Melvin (Sybil) and many dear friends.  Mom was involved in Beta Sigma Phi, played golf at the Kamloops Golf Club and was a part of the same Bridge Club for over 50 years. For many years Mom had an ‘Antique Lady Party’ every November, which included 40 or so ladies who came to drink wine and eat fancy sandwiches.  Dad was the only man invited, and he loved being the bartender!!  Later in life she and Rae Morelli held Happy Hour daily until Mom lost her dear friend in 2010. The Happy Hour Gang included her long-time friends: Mavis, Gwen, Rudy and John who continued to meet every Tuesday until this past February.  Mom looked forward to this special day with reverence.  Over the years Bob and Pat Ryan joined many Happy Hours and supported Mom at every turn!  She loved her friends!

The Owens family were Presbyterians and Mom loved going to church.  When Dad asked Mom to marry him she replied, “Only if you become a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church!” They were married in the church 66 years ago, and at the time of her death she was the oldest living member.  From childhood our parents had a framed bible verse that hung in the kitchen, “John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever  believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.  Over the years our family has known the ministers at the church and considered them family friends.  Mom would want George Peters, Harold Weist and Steve Fylik to know how much she enjoyed their visits and support in the last few years.

Bonnie Tindall was Mom’s private Care Aide.  In truth, she is an angel who worked with Mom night and day and always put Mom’s needs before her own.  Mom loved her deeply and our family owes Bonnie an immense debt of gratitude.

We asked Mom a couple of years ago what she wanted to be remembered for once she had passed away.  She said, “That I was good, and I needed more wine!”  Her final words to loved ones were “Enjoy your lives, and the truth is I don’t wanna go anywhere!!!”

In lieu of flowers (which Mom loved) the family would appreciate a donation to the ‘RIH Foundation’ in Wyne’s memory.  There will be no service at this time but the family will hold a memorial, God willing, when times are safer.

George passed away on April 3, 2020. George was born on May 22, 1955 in Kitchener, Ontario moving to BC in 1979.

Upon graduation he received a scholarship for Optometry and was attending college when he decided to pursue his love of motorcycle racing instead. He went on to become a factory certified motorcycle mechanic. George spent years racing, winning many trophies and medals. George represented Canada at the ISDE races held in Poland and Spain. In 1985 he won a bronze medal in Spain. Later in life George discovered snowmobiling and became very passionate about building the perfect machine.

George is survived by his son Jordan, his mother Rose, his brother Bob, his sister Mary- Ann and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  

December 27, 1927 to April 24, 2020

Bibi Ji was born on December 20, 1927 in Sherpur Dhona, Dist. Kapurthala, Punjab India. She was predeceased by her mother, Bhag Kaur, and father, Narain Singh. Bibi Ji had six sisters and two brothers and lived the longest out of her siblings.

Bibi Ji got married to late Sardar Tara Singh Padda in 1949. They have five children: Surindar Kaur Sidhu (Jarnail), Mohinder Kaur Randhawa (Kartar), late Malkit Singh Padda (Jaswinder), Shingara Singh Padda (Manjit), and Nirvair Singh Padda (Charanjit).

Bibi Ji immigrated to Montreal, Canada in 1993 and began her journey in Canada with Shingara and Manjit. Bibi Ji then travelled across Canada to live in Surrey, BC in 1994; then soon after moved to Kamloops BC in 1997.

While living in Kamloops, Bibi Ji raised four of her many grandchildren; Naginder, Sukhvir, Harminder and Gurneet, as well as great-grandchildren; Gagan, Jasmeet and Balkaran. She is survived by her 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Bibi Ji was selfless. She was the most caring, humble and hardest working mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her greatest gift was her ability to love everyone and make everyone feel special. She saw great happiness in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and wished them a life filled with success and joy. Bibi Ji taught us to be grateful to God for what we have and to work hard for what we wish to achieve. Above all, she inspired us to stay connected to our culture, accomplish our goals with dignity, and have unwavering faith in ourselves. She found great enjoyment in walking through nature and thought that all living things were meaningful. Bibi Ji believed that equity and helping others was of immeasurable value, and she had a compassionate heart that always put others before herself. For Bibi Ji, family was the most valuable aspect of life and she continuously provided her family with affection and support through good and bad times. Bibi Ji often told us that “money is not true wealth and happiness, rather it is the presence of unity within one’s family.”

We would like to give a special thank you to the health care staff at Interior Health, who provided Kartar with exceptional and respectful care. Thank you to Bieta, Samantha and Navy and others for their consistent support that was always just a phone call away. Bibi ji appreciated each and every one of you and was thankful for your kind and compassionate care.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding a private funeral service and cremation, which have been directed to only be accompanied by immediate family members.

December 10, 1926- Dahinda, Saskatchewan

April 18, 2020 – Kamloops, BC

It is with heavy heart that the family of Jake Frank announce his peaceful passing on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the age of 93.

Jake was born on a small farm north of Dahinda, Saskatchewan to the parents of Henrick and Susannna Frank who immigrated from Galka, Russia.

At the age of 15, he took over the family farm after his parents passed away.  Jake was an avid farmer who eventually got into trucking and custom combining during the summer and fall months.  During the winter months, he ran a snow taxi service along with his brother Fritz.

In 1952, he married his wife of 64 years, Ruby Violet Rose.  In 1959, they moved to Chase, BC where they purchased a hardware and appliance store.  Later, they ran a building supply store and Lakeview Resorts campground.   Jake was active in the Chase community serving for several years as an Alderman.  Jake and Ruby also spent many years at the curling club.  Jake and Ruby raised their family in Chase and enjoyed retirement there until moving to Kamloops in 2015.

Jacob is survived by sons, Daryl (Lori), Gary (Cindy) and grandchildren Derek, Connor, Jacob and Madison.  As well as sister-in- law Ella (Victor) and numerous nieces, nephews and their children.

Jacob is predeceased by his wife Ruby; his parents Henrick and Susanna; siblings Maria, Ammolia (Molly), Heinrich (Henry), Friedrich (Fritz), Betha (Bertha), and Victor Frank.

The family would like to thank the nurses, care aids and volunteers in the Overlander,  Evergreen wing for Jake’s care especially in his last days.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Jake will be greatly missed by his family.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to do so, we would appreciate donations made in Jake’s name to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice (72 Whiteshield Crescent South, Kamloops, BC, V2E 2S9) or to a charity of your choice.

The family of Michael John Kohlman are heartbroken to announce his sudden passing on Monday, March 23, 2020.

     Mike was born on September 15, 1977 in Kamloops, BC.

     Mike (aka Mr. Hollywood) was a big guy with an even bigger heart.  He was always there to lend a hand & his famous big bear hugs.

     He started his first real job landscaping at the age of 15, then moved on to heavy construction, oil and gas pipeline, mining, pulpmill and residential construction.

     Left to mourn are his son Justis Kohlman, parents Larry & Debi Kohlman, sister Tanya (Garth) Neibrandt, nieces Natiya, Emmy & Payton, grandmother Elsie Burt & numerous  aunts, uncles, cousins and many close, special friends.

     He was predeceased by his grandfather Larry Burt, grandparents Ed & Phyllis Kohlman & so many others.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date when the COVID-19 crisis is over.

    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation and/or the Cancer Society.