Wilna Ivis Brandt, “Winnie” — Passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at Forest View Place, Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital, Clearwater, BC. Winnie was born in Radville, Sask., on October 6, 1927. She will be sadly missed by her husband Tom Wilson of Barriere; daughter Lynda Forsythe of Little Fort; son Dwight (Rita) Brandt of Prince George, BC; sister Lois (Tex) Friesen of Houston, BC; brother Alvin (Dorothy) Cook of Kamloops, BC; grandchildren Michelle (Jack) Young of Barriere, Howard Finch of Vernon, BC, Winoana (Tim Turner) Finch of Vernon, BC, Jody Brandt of Edmonton, AB, and Andrea Brandt of Red Deer, AB; and great grandchildren Trey, Riggs, Sharlee, Josie and Gabe.
Winnie moved to McBride, BC, in 1947 and remained there until settling in Barriere , BC, in 1978. With only a Grade 4 education, she started working as a nurse’s aid in the McBride Hospital, but worked herself up to become a lab assistant. She also dedicated herself to raising her kids. In Barriere, Winnie met her husband, Tom. She worked as a waitress at the Barriere Motor Inn and the Station House, often helping out even when off shift. She also owned her own restaurant (the Barriere Reef Café) from 1983-86. Winnie had a great sense of humour, she was always happy, and she loved music and dancing, gardening and flowers, curling, and playing baseball (until she was 70!). She was a great yodeller, and she was a lady. Everyone liked her.
Wilna’s funeral will take place at the United Church in Barriere on Monday, December 12, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Karen Medland as officiant. Interment to follow at Barriere Memorial Cemetery. Donations in Winnie’s name appreciated to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation. Special thanks to the staff at Forest View Place in Clearwater for their sincere kindness and care. Funeral arrangements entrusted to North Thompson Funeral Services, 73 Taren Drive, Box 2404 RR2, Clearwater, BC, V0E 1N0, 1-877-674-3030.