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.

Virginia “Ginny” Swain of Kamloops, BC passed away on Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 at 87 years of age. She is survived by her children, Loreli Hawkin of Vancouver, BC, Daniel Burris of Edmonton, AB, Jesse Swain of Chilliwack, BC, Linda Graham of Colman, AB, Brenda Warwick of Kamloops, BC, and Tommy Swain of Kamloops, BC, and 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her children, Joel Graham and Cindy Bardics.

Ginny worked at Royal Inland Hospital, at Mt Lolo CFS Kamloops as a tour guide, and in various family enterprises. Thanks to Dr. Hollman and the staff at Pine Grove. No formal ceremony.

Memorial donations in Ginny’s name may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Marjorie “Jeanne” McDonald passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at the Overlander Extended Care Hospital in Kamloops. She is lovingly remembered by her husband Don and her three children, Allan (Pam), Jan (Gary) and Brent (Rhonda). Jeanne also leaves her grandchildren, Kris Fraser, Alyssa Fraser, Tayla Collings (Mike), Garret McDonald (Sarah), Haley Boldt (Tyler), and Brandon Evanoff. She will also be missed by her great grandchildren Calla, Charlie and Michelle. Jeanne was born in Prince Rupert. The second of six children born to Roy and Estelle Lancaster, she grew up mostly in Hazelton, where her father was station agent for the CNR. As a young woman, Jeanne continued the family railroading tradition by becoming an office employee for the CNR in Prince George. Before long, she was noticed by young telegraph operator named Don, and the rest is history. Don and Jeanne remained together for the next 66 years.

Jeanne moved with her young family to several railroad towns; Smithers, Prince George, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and finally Kamloops, where the McDonald’s settled down for good in 1972.  Jeanne worked happily as a manager in the Jewelry Department at Sears from 1972-1987. For many years she spent her summer months golfing at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club and her winter months on the ice at the North Kamloops Curling Club. Most of all, Mom loved family gatherings, where everyone was welcome, and Sunday dinner was always delicious.

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents Roy and Estelle Lancaster, her brothers Norman and Art, and her sister Beth. She is survived by her sisters Maureen and Marg (Gary) along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Ponderosa and the Overlander Extended Care Hospital for their many acts of kindness and care during Mom’s time there.

Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial donations in Jeanne’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 21 in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. Pastor Tim Busse officiating.