We Remember

BRIGDEN, Ivan “Dennis”
May 3, 1935 — July 11, 2025
Dennis Brigden passed away at home with his family present, in Kelowna, BC, on July 11, 2025, at the age of 90.
Dad (Dennis) was born at Oak Point, Manitoba on May 3, 1935, the youngest of 5 children. The family moved to Abbotsford, British Columbia, in 1937. In 1950, the family moved to Aldergrove (a community within Langley, BC). In the fall of 1951, Dad left school and started working in a local sawmill. In the spring of 1952, Dad went to work in a packing house in Summerland, and that fall went to work in a bush mill at Red Lake, just northwest of Kamloops. That is where he met Mom (Marilyn), and they were married for 34 years.
In the spring of 1954, the two of them went to Alberta and were married in the fall. Together they had 3 children (Norm, Judy & Tina). Dad worked on a farm in Three Hills, Alberta, and then a Ranch in Granum, Alberta, before moving to the Shuswap area back in BC. In May 1956, Dad started his career in the forest industry that spanned 63 years until his retirement from Robill Contracting in 2019, at the age of 84. During this time, he lived in the following communities: Golden, Hixon, Quesnel, Nukko Lake, Prince George, McLeod Lake, Summit Lake, Mackenzie, back to Prince George, Kamloops, Merritt, Sundre, and Kelowna. His career involved time with BC Forestry Service, private industry, and also as a private contractor. In 1988 (while in Merritt), Dad met Marlene, and they were married in 1990; they were married for almost 25 years until her passing in December 2014.
Dennis will be missed by his children and grandchildren: his son Norm (Kevie) and grandchildren Nathan (Molly) Brigden and Alana (Brad) Robinson; daughter Judy (Tom) Tearoe and grandchildren Jesse Tearoe and Stephen Tearoe (Jenny Li); daughter Tina (Howard) Bueckert and grandchildren Jenn Bueckert and Denise Bueckert; stepdaughter Karen (Russ) McDonald and grandson Jordie (Amy) McDonald; stepdaughter Shelly (Laurier) Montreuil and grandchildren Kyle Montreuil and Aaron Montreuil; and grandchildren Tanner Turchak and Jarret Turchak – the children of his late step-son Steven (Melba) Turchak who passed in 2024. Dennis also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren.
Dennis was also sadly predeceased by his grandson, Andrew Tearoe; his brothers Bill, Laurie, and Ben; his sister Irene; and his stepbrother Spencer.
Dennis will continue to be remembered by his surviving siblings: his brother Roy (Emily) Hayes; sister Beth Baker; sister Rosemary (Jim) Vegso; sister Marilynne (Allen) Cunningham; and his sister Angela (Randy) Carr.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.
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Service
Friday, October 17, 2025, at 2:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC