We Remember
PETERS, Esther Marjorie (Bakstad)
March 3, 1925 — March 12, 2015
It is with sadness that we announce that Esther passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 12th at Kelowna General Hospital at the age of 90. She is survived by her daughter Yvonne (John) Baumer, grandchildren Jason (Sarah), Ryan (Mya) and Georgia her three great-grandchildren Mateya, Devyn and Treian will miss their “G.G.” Brother Clifford (Helen) and numerous nieces and nephews in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Frank in 2000, daughter Karen in 1971, her parents Mathias and Hilda Bakstad, brother Lyle, sister Elvina, niece Linda. Esther was the 1st baby born in the hamlet of La Glace, Alta on March 3, 1925. She was schooled and worked in this Norwegian community until 1945 when she went to teach school in the Dawson Creek, BC area. This is where she met her husband Frank and they were married in 1947. In the spring of 1949 they started their long career on the Alaska Hwy. raising their two daughters in Dawson Creek, Prophet River, Muncho Lake and then moving to Watson Lake, Y.T., in 1963. She made many lifelong friends during these years and was known to many as their “extra grandma”. It was in Watson where she started working for CIBC and she continued with them until she and Frank retired back to La Glace in 1981 to care for her mom and be near many relatives. Esther enjoyed activities with the Calvary Lutheran Church, the Twilite Club and the Community of La Glace. She loved working on family history, cooking ,curling, playing cards, knitting and quilting( many of us have one of her handmade treasures) and 5th wheeling especially when her grandchildren were with them. After Frank’s passing in 2000 Esther moved into Grande Prairie and then in 2006 moved to West Kelowna to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She loved being able to spend more time visiting with her grandchildren and her 3 great grandchildren brought her such joy. She loved seeing the blossoms and fruit growing on the trees, the harvesting of the wine grapes and enjoying lunches with the Happiness Group at Grace Lutheran Church. Sadly in the last years Esther suffered from neuralgia (from Shingles) and dementia. We will miss her loving smile, her easy way, and her humour and laughter that touched all who knew her. A special thank you to Pastor Ed Skutshek, Pastor Dave Wunderlich for their visits and prayers, Dr. A Hugo and the staff of 4East at KGH for her care. A memorial will be announced at a later date at which time her ashes will be laid to rest beside her husband and daughter in the Alaska Hwy Cemetery in Dawson Creek, B.C. In Remembrance donations may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church (La Glace, Alta), Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences”.
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I knew Esther for a number of years and Darrel knew her for a lot more, she was always so much fun to be around. Enjoyed her laugh, smile and sense of humour, when she left LaGlace we enjoyed your return visits with her. Your family were so good to her Yvonne and she spoke often of each one of you. Sorry to hear of her passing, thinking of your family at this time, always hard to lose a parent regardless of the age.
We’d like to offer our sincere condolences to all of Esther’s family. Esther was such a kind and special person. She always took time to visit and faithfully asked about our boys after they moved away from home. My Mom & Dad, Cameron & Mabel White, really enjoyed their time with Frank & Esther through the Twilight Club in La Glace. What a great loss this will be for you. Thankfully, she will have left you with many cherished memories. Again, sincere sympathy from us.