Ursula Anna Pauline Boeker, “Mrs Ferdie” slipped away peacefully, hands together, on September 12, 2019 in Kamloops. Born in Hamburg on December 23, 1925, Ursula’s first eight years was a time of meager provisions, lost financial stability and night to night radical combative political chaos, Ursula was destined to be a survivor.

Ursula was daughter number 3 of 4 Marga, Irma and Gerda. Baptised and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, the family was stable and had a loving home. Attending technical school Ursula learnt bookkeeping, shorthand and office management. That lead to a job at Katco Tabak, a story in itself.

On March 25, 1948, Ursula married Ferdie Boeker, starting a family with the birth of Lutz on July 20, 1950. Being young and adventurous, Ursula lived the classic immigrant story with a suitcase full of hope and ambition and Lutzie in hand, arrived in Halifax pier 21 on January 29, 1954. After taking a six day train trip, arrived in Telkwa in bush at camp, where an unshaven Ferdie was a faller for Fritz Pfeifer Logging. For a day in shock, Ursula never took off her coat wondering where she was and why she was here. It wasn’t long before the warm personalities emerged like Fritz, Pat Michel, Henry Anderson, Scalehorn and others made it feel like home. At camp, Ursula worked as a bullcook and match maker for Fritz, finding Renate. Saturdays were time to go into Smithers and do some shopping at the Parquette and visiting new friends Luise and Horst Kratz. A time for play for Lutzie with Jeanette and Irene. Highlight of the week was a Hamburger Deluxe at Hegy’s Café followed by a matinee at the Roi Theatre in Smithers, Life was good.

During breakup, Ferdie began some contracting of Home Building like for Fritz, Giglberger Farm House and Alcan Spillway. This emerged into the “Big Break” when George Heffernan of Skeena Building Supplies took note and inspired Ferdie to go into business for himself. In 1961, Ferdie and Ursula established Ferdie’s Building Supplies in Burns Lake with a $60,000 loan which thrived until sold in 1995.

Ursula’s friendships were often based around playing bridge, whist, skat and cribbage. She was a great sport and the main purpose wasn’t winning but being together. Ursula did crossword puzzles most of her life, always in pen, rarely a missed word or scratch out. She had an amazing memory for historical dates and peoples birthdays. She was always organized in her home and with business affairs. She tried to be philosophical and positive during the most trying times. Ursula lived well and against all odds, beating cancer in 1968, a 50 year survivor. Ursula is survived by sister, Gerda Irving of Olds, AB, son Vero, daughter in-law Brenda, grandson Chris and granddaughter Hannah. She was predeceased by her husband Ferdie, son Lutz and grandson Lutz F. Boeker. Thanks to all the wonderful, compassionate help in the last few years at the Royal Inland Hospital and Overlander Extended Care.

Ester Persing of Kamloops B.C. passed away peacefully on September 18, 2019 with her family at her side.  She was born to Carl and Edith Tondell on December 16, 1928 in Bagley Saskatchewan.

Ester married Orville Persing on August 21, 1953.  Ester and Orville lived in Prince George B.C. Dawson City Yukon,  Pentiction B.C. Greenwood B.C. and Kamloops B.C.

Ester was a loving wife and mother.  She was a talented musician, learning to play several instruments at a young age.  She was a great cook and baker.  She enjoyed sewing, embroidery and crafts.

Ester had an adventurous spirit and never passed up an opportunity to hit the back roads or take a long road trip with her family.  She was very hospitable and willing to lend a hand to someone in need.

Ester was pre-deceased by her husband Orville, her father and mother Carl and Edith Tondell, her father and mother in-law Hazel Benjamin and Lillie May Persing.  Her siblings Oscar, Linnea, Ellen and Richard Tondell. Sister in-law Myrtle Tondell, brother in-law Roy Berstad and brother in-law Robert Werner.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son Eldon (Sheri) Persing, son Wesley Persing, daughter Emily (Terry) Luciow, daughter Doreen Persing, daughter Marlene (Gary) Sasseville,  son Leland Persing, sister in-law Opal (Gerry) Sequin, nine grand children and fourteen great grand children and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Don Edward Ferguson of Kamloops passed away peacefully with family at his side on September 3, 2019 at 93 years of age.  Don is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Joyce, his four sons, Roy (Agnes), Bob (Nina), David (Helen), Doug (Denyse) and his brother Arden (Loretta).  Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren who will miss him dearly, also survive him.

Don was born in Nova Scotia moving west during his school years settling in Vancouver.  At the age of 15, he joined the navy and served aboard a Canadian destroyer until the end of World War II.  At the age of 21, he married his life partner.  In the early years of their marriage they moved to Clinton and eventually settled in Kamloops.  Don was always there to lend a helping hand for his community and family.  While living in Clinton, he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and when they moved to Kamloops he was a founding member of the Westsyde Fire Department.  When Kamloops amalgamated in 1973, Don joined the Kamloops Fire Department where he was the first member to retire at the rank of firefighter. After his career with Kamloops Fire Rescue,  Don  was very active in the local ANAVets 290. His family benefited from his unwavering support, values and the skills he passed on to us.  He enjoyed a long retirement spending time with family and travelling with Joyce.

The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 am, on Saturday, October 19^th in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive.

Ronald “Ron” George Bernt, 74, passed away on September 17, 2019 after a short struggle with dementia, COPD and other related illnesses.

Ron was born in Smithers, BC on May 31, 1945 to parents Arthur and Margaret (Brickwell) Bernt.  

Ron’s happiest moment was meeting his beloved soulmate Mary (Cooper) Bernt.  They had their first date on Friday, February 13 and they married shortly thereafter on July 10, 1970.  Their circle of love was subsequently joined by daughters Wendy Bernt and Jennifer Bernt.

Ron worked as an accountant for most of his life, including several years as the Treasurer of the Kitimat School District and Deputy Treasurer of the District of Kitimat.

Ron was a warm, funny, and kind man who will be remembered by many for his wit and humour.  Over the course of his life Ron was a man who would pursue his varied hobbies with great gusto and passion.  He played guitar. He built furniture. He dressed up with his friends and they pretended to be pirates.  He baked.  He programmed and built computers.  He even jumped out of planes.

Ron is survived by his wife Mary, his daughters Wendy and Jennifer, his brother James Bernt (and wife Margaret), sister Judy Taylor (and husband Larry), sister  Crystal (and husband Rod) Tate, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and many many friends – all of whom are better for having known Ron.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Ron on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Barriere Senior Centre Hall, 4431 Barriere Town Road, Barriere, BC.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in Ron’s name to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, the Terry Fox Foundation or the BC SPCA.