Obituary of Fern Rondeau

Fern was born December 12, 1933 in Fort Kent, Alberta to Joseph and Luzina. He was the third youngest out of 11 children. Fern met Florence in Dalmead, Alberta and a few months later they were married in Calgary, on July 28, 1956. Their First born, Norbert Fernand, was born on July 15, 1957 and passed away the same day. Fern and Florence moved to Turner Valley and that's where Mary Jane was born. In 1959 Fern moved his Family to the Dawson Creek area, where Rose, Robert, Brian and Rita where born. Fern lived on the farm in Groundbirch for 48 years and then retired to Dawson Creek only 6 weeks prior to his passing. In those 48 years Fern lived a full life raising animals, farmed the land which he loved and did odd jobs in the area. Fern suffered a stroke in the winter of 2007 which left him unable to speak and a heart attack just before Christmas 2008. Even when his health was starting to fail he still loved having people over, though he couldn't talk we all learned to read his writing, right up to the very end he still wrote things down for the nurses. The day after his 77 birthday Fern caught pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital. Unfortunately he never regained his strength and passed away on Dec 25, 2010. Fern was survived by his loving wife Florence of 54 years; Children: Mary Jane (David) Lang, Rose (Steve) Walton, Robert (Kathy), Brian (Melody), Rita (John) Card, his brothers Henry and Marcel, his sister Juliette (Victor) Seguin ; Fifteen grandchildren: Joey Patricia( Antonio)Arriagada, Corrine Lang (Joel) Dukeshire) , Tyler (Kristin) McCauley, Matthew McCauley, Justin McCauley , Daniel Walton, Alana Walton, Gillian Walton, Michelle Rondeau, Mandi Rondeau, Ryan Rondeau, Cody Rondeau, Tyrel April, Dusty April, Jordan Rondeau; five great-grandchildren: Jenna and Michael Arriagada, Dominick and Devin Dukeshire, Jayce McCauley, also many cousin, nieces, nephews , and in-laws. Fern has returned to the loving arms of his Mother Luzina and Father Joseph; his son Norbert; his sister Gertrude; his brothers Lucien, Emil, Roland, Gabriel, Morris, and Donald. A funeral service was held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Peace Mission Chapel, Progress BC, Pastor Lee Stephenson officiated, Interment followed in the Mountainview Cemetery, Groundbirch B.C. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in the memory of Fern to the South Peace BC SPCA 637-114Ave Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3A1. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium.