Vernon Garfield Fellman
July 20, 1920 ~ February 20, 2010
Vernon Garfield Fellman, age 89, was called to be with his Lord on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at his home on Hurl Street.
Vernon was born on July 20, 1920 at the home his father had homesteaded in 1907, in the Lake Edward District, Spalding, Sask. There he went to a one-room school, built on the land his parents had donated. Grade VIII was the limit so he took further education by correspondence. He also attended one year of Bible College at Star City, Sask.
As a young man he worked on his Dad’s farm, also hired to other farmers, for the huge wage of $10.00 to as high as $25.00 a month.
On April 6, 1942, he married his school days sweetheart, Alvina Larson. The war years were then upon us, and after receiving his call to the army he served four years in the Regina Rifles regiment.
Vern was stationed at several places in BC. While in Prince Rupert, BC they welcomed their first child on June 14, 1943. While overseas, the war ended and he helped in Holland, Belgium, and England, a lot with rehabilitation. Vern arrived back home to Saskatchewan after spending six very rough days on the Queen Mary, one being Christmas day.
With the aid of Veteran’s Land Act, he purchased his father’s farm, where he and Alvina worked very hard raising crops and milking cows. It was there they heartily welcomed five more children.
The four eldest of these children started school in the same one-room building where both their parents received their education.
The family felt they would like to get away from just one cold Saskatchewan winter, so BC beckoned and Vern and the family arrived in Creston on August 17, 1957. The Creston Valley has been his place of residence ever since.
Vern first worked for Sunrise Bakery in Cranbrook, BC. Later he was employed with Purity Dairy, then Palm Dairies in Creston.
After twelve years of renting out the farm, they sold it and built the laundromat and drycleaners beside the Dairy Queen, operating it for seven years.
Vern worked for G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel for approximately 40 years. It was there he earned his Mortician License. He continued on when George Oliver retired. At age 83 he finally retired. He also worked as a guard at the local RCMP Quarters for 16 years.
In 2007 he and Alvina decided to downsize and moved from Birch Street into a condo in Montgomery Manor.
Vern faithfully attended Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church for 52 years.
He was predeceased by his parents Godfred and Sarah Fellman, one infant sister of Spalding, Sask., and sister Viola Knutson of Saskatoon, Sask.
Although he may have left, his wife Alvina, of almost 68 years, will always recall precious memories.
Also remembered by his children, Elaine Vader of Sherwood Park, AB, Sylvia (George) Williams of Port Alberni, BC, Douglas (Janet) of Castlegar, BC, Orland (Monica) of Osoyoos, BC, Ellwood (Darlene) of Osoyoos, BC, Starla (Lindy) Ek of Creston, BC; eleven grandchildren, Shane (Janet) and Ryan (Deanna) Vader, Tanya and Lara Williams, Brooke (Clay) Molitwenik, Lane Fellman, Jacey Fellman, Trevor (Paula) and Andrew (Carrie) Fellman, Jalene and Amber Ek. He also leaves nine great-grandchildren, Korlan and Kaylee, Shayla and Kaden, Sydney and Keiya, Jordon, Megan and Charlie.
Funeral services were entrusted to the G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel on Thursday, February 25, 2010 with Rev. Carl Sawler officiating. Pallbearers were Vern’s grandsons Shane, Ryan, Trevor, Andrew, Lane, and Clay
Interment took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC.