January 26, 1930 – December 20, 2021

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Vera Lillian Befurt (nee Berry). She passed away peacefully on December 20, 2021 with her loving family by her side at Overlander Extended Care Facility.

She was predeceased by her father John Thomas Berry, mother Violet Witten Allen, brother John Allan Berry, foster sister Eileen Duff, newborn Wendy Witten Vera Befurt (1960), grandson Jacob Russell Befurt (1999), and eldest child Richard Shane Befurt (2017) (Dianne).

She leaves to mourn her husband Jacob Befurt, children Thomas Befurt (Nicole), Wilna Capotinsky (Steve), Trevor Befurt (Kathie), Roger Befurt (Debbie). Grandchildren Amanda, Miranda, Troy, Hunter, Roger, Alexis, James, Julia and Liam. Great-Grandchildren Mahleah, Aria, Jacob-Trevor, Clarke, Calissa, Parker, and Zara. Foster sister Kathleen Heron. Also, many other family and friends.

Vera was born in Trail on January 26, 1930 and moved to Duck Range, where she was raised and attended school. She graduated from Kamloops High School in 1948. Vera met her sweetheart Jacob when she was 17 at a dance at the Masonic Hall. They were married on May 7, 1949 and spent 72 loving years together.

Vera was a proud lifelong member of the Kamloops United Church. She had many hobbies including sewing, knitting, crocheting, flower gardening, travelling, baking, camping, and helping with Scouts Canada. Vera was a dedicated member of the Kamloops Garden Club and won many blue ribbons for her beautiful roses. She supported the Royal Inland Hospital Gift Shop with many baby outfits over the years. Vera also taught all her children and many Arthur Hatton students how to bake bread and strudel, the Viennese Way!

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Ponderosa Lodge and Overlander Extended Care Facility for their wonderful care of our angel.

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

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Arthur H. (Art) Allen, 82 of Kamloops, BC, on December 14, 2021.  Art passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and holding the hand of his wife of almost sixty years, Sandy.  He was born to George and Verna Allen on March 26, 1939 in Quesnel, BC. Shortly after graduation, Art began his 37 year career with BC Hydro (known then as the BC Power Commission) as a meter reader, eventually becoming a popular and highly regarded Line Supervisor.  His career took him from Quesnel to Dawson Creek, Merritt, Nakusp and finally Kamloops, where he retired in 1994.

Art married the love of his life Sandy (or “Sam” as he liked to call her) on January 6^th, 1962 and loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends.  He was a wonderful dancer, enjoyed playing cards, curling, golfing, camping, fishing and teasing those he loved with his wry sense of humour.  In his retirement years, his most treasured pastime was fishing with his buddies Dave and Ron at a secluded spot on the Thompson River.  Whenever a friend or family member was having a particularly difficult time, Art would always end up prescribing a little Thompson River Therapy or “TRT” as he liked to call it, to cure all that ailed them.

Art is survived by his wife Sandy, daughter Laurie (Michael), son Doug, grandchildren Karlie, Lindsey (Ty, great grand baby #1 due in March), Alex and Taylor, and his much loved sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carol & Bill McKenzie.  A favourite uncle to Debra (Joe), Cheryl and Heather (Jim), along with great nieces, nephews and many other family members.  Art was predeceased by his parents George (Ora) Allen and Verna (Jack) Carson and his older brother Verne.

A life well lived and loved, we will always miss our husband, Dad and Papa, but are comforted by the knowledge that Art is enjoying a long stretch of “TRT”.

A celebration of Art’s life will be held in the spring or early summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Majorie Willoughby Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops would be appreciated.

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

My sweet, sweet son – Jared Lea. Your fight is done.

It is with overwhelming sorrow, we announce the unexpected passing of Jared, on December 9, 2021.  This kind and gentle soul was with us for a brief 30 years and touched the lives of many.

Jared graduated from Selkirk Secondary School in 2009 with a great group of friends.  Following graduation, Jared left to go work on the oil service rigs in Brooks, Alberta, where he was born.  Jared loved working hard, he was always dependable and put in incredibly long hours.  He bought his first house a few years later, something he was very proud of.  This lifestyle, and all that came with it, became an increasing struggle for Jared over the years.

Last year, Jared returned to live in the Kootenays.  He was happy to be back and said it was “the best summer ever”.  Jared spent numerous days at Columbia Lake with his Mom, Bill and Sunny, swimming, getting his tan/burn on and relaxing.  Something he desperately deserved and needed.  Jared made friends everywhere he went, without exception.  He had a genuine way of engaging, connecting and being there for others, despite struggling himself.

One of Jared’s life-loves was having coffee with a friend or family member.  Even as a teenager, Jared loved going for coffee at A&W with Grandma Vi and Scott, or stopping by his Grandpa Ernie and Grandma Bev’s for coffee.  He also spent many of his teenage hours at the Broken Tea Cup in Kimberley, having coffee and soup, on his mom’s tab, so he could visit with Marthel.  He loved connecting over coffee.

The day before his 30th birthday, we moved Jared to Kamloops to start his new life.  The last four months were his proudest moments.  He was excited, happy and hopeful about all he was learning and achieving.  He made some of the deepest, unique bonds he would ever make, with his friends and the team at Sage.  He spoke of them every single day and met with at least one of them, almost every day – for coffee, or a meal, of course.  Last month Jared completed his application to volunteer at a senior’s home in Kamloops so he could visit and have coffee with seniors and play some games with them during his free time.  He was always drawn to helping and supporting others, especially seniors or those who were vulnerable.

Jared will be forever missed by his mother, Lori Stolson (Bill Hughes), step-father (Dave Lozinski); Grandpa (Ernie Lea) and Grandma Bev; his best friend – Matt Raddis; special cousin -Scott Lea and his Sage Friends – you meant so much to Jared; half-brother (Caleb Lea), numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and all his friends and connections along the way.  Each one of you touched Jared’s life in a special way.

Jared was predeceased by his “Grandma Vi” in 2015 and his father, Rick, in 2019.

In memory of Jared, please consider supporting another who is struggling to access the clinical treatment services needed to begin their recovery, by donating any amount to:

Sage Health Centre
E-transfers accepted at:  finance@sagehealthcentre.ca
Please add a Memo, “In memory of Jared Lea” and provide your mailing address as well.

Any cheques can be mailed to:
Sage Health Centre at 101 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC  V2C 2S7
A charitable receipt will be issued to you.

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

Diane was raised in Kinistino SK, where she enjoyed her youth. She moved to Saskatoon and started her family later meeting Alfred and marrying him in Calgary, AB. Diane embodied confidence in all aspects of her life. She had a love of family and spending time with them.  She touched many lives in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Fred and Diane had relocated to Bridal Falls to retire.

Diane is survived by her husband Alfred Pickering, son Bob (Natalie) Hawkeswood and daughter Renea (Harry) Schoof. Grandchildren – granddaughter Brianne (Pat) Hawkeswood, granddaughter Rachelle Henry, granddaughter River Schoof, granddaughter Kennedy (Adam) Schoof and grandson Ryley (Lexus) Hawkeswood.

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

It is with profound sadness our family announces the passing of Rodney James Norton on November 23, 2021.

Rod was born in Oshawa, Ontario on February 1, 1941 to parents Della and Herbert Norton (deceased). His siblings are Gordon (deceased), George (Trudy) and Margaret (John).

At 18 he joined the military. In 1960 he was sent overseas to Deilinghofen/Iserlohn, Germany. There he met Margrit and they were married in 1962. The following year they arrived  in Canada to start their new life in Victoria, BC. Their two children are Birgit (Brent) and Christine (Don).  In 1972 the family joined Dad on another posting to CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany. Five years later the family moved back to Victoria, BC and made their home in Colwood.

In Dad’s retirement years he moved to Mill Bay, BC. Dad loved spending time with his granddaughters Madison and Brianna. He always spoke kindly of his friend Paul, especially their motorcycle trip through the United States and Canada. He enjoyed many hours fishing with his friend Kevin (Katie). When Kevin’s son Liam was born Dad doted over him like any Grandpa would.

Dad was very creative and artistic. His passion was woodworking as well as refinishing antique furniture, and making his own tools. He used his knowledge and turned it into a small business called “Rod’s Woodworking”. He also loved to garden, made his own fly ties for fishing, was interested in  his family history, and also liked to gold pan.

Family was important to Dad. He was a quiet person, with a kind and gentle soul.

Earlier this year due to health and mobility issues Dad moved to Kamloops to be cared for by his daughter Birgit. After watching his daughter gardening, Dad commented how happy he was we shared many of the same interests.Read More & Leave Condolences »