August 23, 1948 – December 30, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas Walter Essensa on December 30th, 2022 at the age of 74. Predeceased by his wife Patricia (Lutes) Essensa eight months prior as well as his parents Walter Essensa and Mary (Piercy) Essensa. Left to mourn his passing are his daughters Pamela (Patrick) and Rebecca (Aaron), along with grandchildren Leah, Danielle, Jeremy and Alexis. He leaves behind his siblings Harold (Jean), Susanne, Gary (Mary) and Brian Essensa along with numerous nieces, nephews and many other relatives.

Douglas was born in St Stephens, New Brunswick as the second of five children. He moved west as a young man looking for work and began at the Grand Duke Mine in Stewart, BC in the early 70’s. While off shift he met his true love Patricia Essensa on a blind date and the rest was history. They were married in the summer of 1974 and welcomed their first daughter in 1976 and then again another daughter in 1981. Doug thrived at being a “girl” dad and always made sure all the girls in his life wanted for nothing. Doug loved moments where he could get outside to do some fishing, hunting and camping with friends and family any chance he could. Doug could often be found every evening with his wife in their garden water and tending to their plants. After moving up north to Terrace, BC to raise their family Doug and Pat made the move to Kamloops for work and to later transition into retirement. Doug had an unfortunate workplace accident and lived the last 12 years of his life in a care facility in Kamloops. Having suffered many life altering injuries he still always tried to see the best in everything around him. He was always known for his huge smiles and cheerful demeanor.

The family of Douglas would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Wynne and all the staff at Ridgeview Care Facility all the empathy and care that they showed Doug in his last days.

A Celebration of life will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, August 12, 2023 in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

May 15, 2001-December 28, 2022

It is with great sadness and broken hearts we announce that Jonathan Wayne Lundstrom of Kamloops, BC passed away suddenly on the afternoon of December 28,2022.The Lord decided it was time to call our boy home at the young age of 21. Jonathan is survived and terribly missed by his Mom, Jennifer; Grandma, Barbara; Aunt, Lisa; Cousins, Quinn and Matthew; God Parents, Raffelina and Victor.

He was predeceased by his Great Grandma (Gee-Gee), Clara; Great Grandpa, Axel; Grandpa(Papa),Larry and his Uncle, Steven.

Jonathan was born on May 15, 2001 at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. He spent most of the first year of his life in hospital with Mom or Grandma always by his side. His birth brought so much joy to every single family member. They say nothing can compare to a mother’s love, but with Jonathan no one loved him more than his Grandma, Barbara. From sleeping on the hospital floor waiting for him to be born, to the steak and lobster she bought him for lunch the day before he passed away and all of the 21 years in between. Grandma loves you Jo always and forever.

Although an only child, Jonathan did not grow up alone. Being 5 months older than his cousin Quinn they grew up side by side and the best of buddies. Its hard to find many pictures without both of them together. He loved his cousin so much. He also had the pleasure of growing up from birth and spending more than half of his life with his best childhood friends Samantha and Alex (and their parents Tony and Meagan).

So many adventures, so many memories and laughter that will never be forgotten.

Jonathan was baptized at OLPH church and attended school there from preschool to grade seven. He joined every single sports team and even in his older years had fond memories of his time there. He attended St. Ann’s Academy briefly for high school before transferring to Brock Middle School. Jonathan was such a sweet and loving person. His cheeky grin and his laughter would always light up a room. He loved all animals so much and loved his kitten Twizzler for 15 years of his life.

Jonathan always inspired to be a Heavy Duty Mechanic. We were so proud of him for recently doing all the work himself to get enrolled at Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek. He had plans to spend time at the lake with his mom this spring, camping and fishing before moving up north for college. He was so excited for his future. A future that was tragically taken away. We take comfort knowing that he is resting in heaven with so many people that love him. Mom misses and loves you so much Jo.

Special thanks to Connor and his team as well as the BCEHS for their valiant efforts.

The Funeral will take place at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 21 in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

To know and share time with Wayne Alvin Roy Montgomery was to be with a kind, generous and happy man. He savoured his days and, even more, his wife, children, grandsons and friends. Wayne died suddenly, and tragically, near Chase, B.C. on January 3, 2023

Wayne and Trudy Nicol married in 1966 and have had decades of embracing life as they raised their children and delighted in each grandson’s arrival, and in each other’s companionship as they travelled to distant places, boated and camped. And when they looked at each other in their elder years, their family and friends knew Wayne still saw the pretty, vivacious 15-yr-old he’d first met and Trudy saw her amiable handsome 19-yr-old old drummer.

Hockey was Wayne’s sports love, and from 1977 to 2012, he lived and breathed Old Timer hockey, first with the Port Coquitlam’s Coachmen and the Chuggers, then in Kamloops with several league teams plus what he called the ‘most fun Friday Noon Goons.’ He was a fervent and faithful Canucks fan, supportive of them, even when they lost.

Wayne graduated from Kamloops High in 1961 and began his forty-year career in the bearing and transmission industry. At the age of 60, he joined Trudy in real estate in Kamloops until his retirement in 2011.

Wayne leaves a family mourning our loss of him: Soulmate Trudy, his dear son Jason, wife Nicole and grandsons Alton and Boston; his cherished daughter Tanya Giles, husband Kevin and grandsons Kaden, Tristan and Makai; his sister Sharon Howe; and his in-laws, Sharon and Wayne Nicol and Lynne Stonier-Newman and Brian Newman. as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Vera and Monty Montgomery of Valleyview.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held in the Spring.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Miyeko (Mike) Kobayashi on Saturday, December 31st, 2022, at Overlander Extended Care Hospital. Mike is predeceased by her parents Ishisaburo and Shizue Kobayashi, brother Shigeo and sisters Pamela and Sumiko. Mike is survived by Toshiko (Irene) Maeda, Kazuko Kobayashi, Mutsuko (Bill) Barclay, Koji Kobayashi, Hiro (Dona) Kobayashi, Yoko McMillan, Satoko Kobayashi, Ines (Doug) Thornton, Eileen Gill, Ken Kobayashi, Jo-Anne Kobayashi (Don). She is also survived by 20 nieces and nephews and 25 great nieces and nephews.

Mike was born on April 10th, 1936 in Vancouver. The family was interned to Blind Bay in the summer of 1942 and eventually moved to Singh Street in Brocklehurst in 1943 until the family home was built in 1948 on Desmond Street. Mike resided at this address until she moved to Overlander Extended Care in late August 2022.

Mike and her siblings walked to Brocklehurst Elementary School (a 2 room school without indoor plumbing) on Crestline Street. After elementary school, she studied business courses at Kamloops High School. Upon graduation, her first and only job was at the Royal Bank at branches downtown and on the north shore.   Mike was trained in various departments within the Royal Bank and because of her experience she was asked to train employees from Vancouver. Throughout her career, Mike was able to substitute in any position within the branch. During her 41 years working in the Royal Bank, she enjoyed socializing with several employees.

Mike enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, baking and weeding the vegetable garden. She also enjoyed the family celebrations over the years.

Our heartfelt thanks to her Nurse Practitioner, Natalie, the staff at Overlander Extended Care Hospital and her long time hairdresser, the late, Marie Brooks.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Parkinson Society of British Columbia or a charity of your choice.

A private service will take place at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577

Wilma passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 89 years of age. Wilma was born in Kamloops on November 29, 1933 and grew up in Walhachin. Her schooling was in Ashcroft, BC as well as correspondence for Grades 11 and 12. She took her normal school “teachers” training at the Coast. Mom married Ralph in Kamloops BC on October 3, 1953, living in North Bend and then returning to Kamloops. Mom’s first teaching post was in Deep Creek, BC in a one room school, near Armstrong, BC. Wilma enjoyed many pastimes and volunteered for many years. She was very involved with the Cottonwood Manor Seniors Housing for years. With failing health, she moved to Gemstone Care Facility and enjoyed multiple activities, especially the Mother Goose program. Wilma was a proud Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She was a cherished friend, especially her Ladies Lunch Group and a loving sister to her four siblings. Mom had a calm way of setting everyone at ease and her smile lit up the room.

Special thanks to Dr. Mavis Hollman for her many years of care and friendship. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Wilma’s name would be appreciated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Wilma is survived by son Keith (Roxanne) Baird of Kamloops, daughters Laurel (Colleen) Baird of Kamloops and Karen Baird of Kamloops; brother Joseph Turner of Kamloops and sister Margaret Weissbrod of Kamloops; brother in-law Cornelius Jaenen; grandchildren Dominique Baird of Kamloops, Nathan Baird of Edmonton, Justin Baird of Kamloops and Karley Baird of Kamloops; great grandchildren Kai and Brie St. Jean of Kamloops; and multiple nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Alexander Baird (2000), parents May and William Turner, brother Art Turner and sister Ina Jaenen.

The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00am on Friday, January 6, 2023 in Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. Following the Service, Wilma will be laid to rest in the Mausoleum at Hillside Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family from

www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
250-554-2577