TEMPEL, Bernadette Regina
Passed away peacefully on January 17, 2017 at the age of 88. She is survived by her sons Dennis (Nicole) of Kelowna, BC, Duane (Gwenda) of Kelowna, BC, Murray (Erin) of Warman, SK and Marvin (Lorraine) of Okotoks, AB; grandchildren Carmel, Ryan, Gary, Megan, Morgan, Mandy, Zoe, Danica, Nicholas, Oliver, Becky and Sam; great grandchildren Channing, Devan, Emery, Kayleigh, Everett, Jillian, Adaline, Dexton and Evalyn as well as her sister-in-law Leona Tempel. Sadly predeceased by her husband John; daughter Elaine Mary; brothers Arthur, Ralph and James and sisters Rosemarie and Mary.
Bernadette was born to Nicholas and Hilda Diederichs on December 2, 1928 in St. Benedict, SK and was raised on the family farm. In 1949, Bernadette married John Tempel and they were devoted to each other in a loving marriage for over sixty years. They raised four boys: Dennis, Duane, Murray and Marvin.
Mom didn’t have any girls, but she would correct you if you said that to her because she had her loving daughters-in-law Nicole, Gwenda, Erin and Lorraine and her special godchild Marilyn Brunen, all of whom she considered as her own daughters.
Because of John’s career with National Grain (which later became Cargill Grain) the family moved several times within Saskatchewan: from the farm near Leofnard to Cudworth, Meacham, Kandahar, Craik, North Battleford and Saskatoon; then another move to Regina before retiring in Kelowna in 1983.
Bernadette actively supported her community in many ways including as a Sodality member in her teens, hospital aide, catechism teacher, member of the Catholic Women’s League, avid curler, St. Vincent de Paul volunteer, choir member and treasurer and/or secretary for some organizations. Bernadette and John enjoyed many travels in their RV motorhome as well as vacations in Maui and the Canary Islands. Bernadette loved music and was a self-taught organist, accordion and guitar player.
She was a woman of great humility; a quiet, selfless person who preferred to be in the background supporting her family and loving them unconditionally. She lived a very dignified life with great integrity, inner strength, grace, respectfulness and a strong faith in God.
We wish to thank the loving and caring staff of Sutherland Hills Rest Home for the tremendous care they provided for Bernadette over the last 18 months of her life. We know that you and Bernadette’s friends at the home are grieving with us. Special thanks to Fr. Sebastian, Fr. Louis, Fr. Ron, and of course Dr. Chamberlain.
A prayer service will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 5:30 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 10:30 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation www.kghfoundation.com or the St. Vincent de Paul Society http://www.ssvp.ca/.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.