Donald James Johnson, 87, of Monte Lake, BC, passed away peacefully on May 6th, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
Donald is survived by his wife Fran, daughter Deana Alexandre (Doug), son Kelly (Michele), grandchildren Andrea, Shana, and Josh, great-grandchildren Andrew and Payton, and sister Patsy (Pat).
Donald was born December 29, 1935 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. In 1946 his family moved to Monte Lake, BC and bought the Monte Lake store. As a young man, Donnie started off his trucking career driving tanker, and then chip truck for Arrow. In 1963 he married Fran Goddard and they resided in Kamloops where they raised their two children, Deana and Kelly. In 1972 he bought a gravel truck and hauled gravel and asphalt until he retired in 1987. In 1997 Don and Fran moved to Monte Lake, where he enjoyed the outdoors, visiting with family and friends, and spending time with all his beloved pets. He connected with people through his story telling and will forever be remembered for his amusing anecdotes and occasional tall tales.
Elly Jongerhuis
Elly Adams
Elly Adams of Kamloops passed away peacefully on November 18, 2021, at 83 years of age. Elly will be dearly missed by her sons Rick and Randy (Manon), grandchildren Richard (Stephanie), Kane, Paige, Carter and great-grandson, Lincoln. Elly was pre-deceased by her husband Paul, in 2008, father Herman Jongerhuis, mother Jacoba, and brothers Benny, Chris, Hank and Robert.
Elly was born in Rotterdam, Holland on April 2, 1938. She survived the trauma of her early childhood living in occupied Holland during World War ll. Elly and her family immigrated to Canada in 1951 sailing across to Halifax on the SS Vollendam. Her family lived with their sponsoring family in Enderby for a year, before seeking work in Penticton and finally settling in Kamloops. When her dad passed away, Elly had to quit school after Grade 10 to work and help her mom afford to keep their home.
Elly met Paul at a dance in Kamloops, and it was love at first sight – as evidenced by recently discovered passionate love letters between the two. After marrying, the couple lived in Ashcroft for a year and then returned to make their home in Kamloops where they lived in the same home together for 50 years.
Elly worked as a grocery store clerk for 35 years at Safety Mart, Safeway and SuperValu, where she came to know hundreds of people who passed through her till on a regular basis. Elly played women’s fastball, bowled, and enjoyed camping, waterskiing, and skiing with Paul and her sons. Elly also enjoyed travel, twice home to Holland, road trips through BC and Alberta in the family motorhome, holidays in Florida and Hawaii with Paul, and Disneyland with her grandchildren. Elly loved to walk with her friends and was still eager to participate in the Alzheimer’s Walk of Memories and the Run for the Cure in her later years, with the assistance of her walker. Elly was a wonderful mom and will be dearly missed by her sons, grandchildren, and great grandson.
