We Remember
YAEGER, Norman W.
—
Norman W. Yaeger passed away peacefully at the Vernon Hospice House on February 26, 2013 at the age of 97. Norman is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Grace; daughters Lorraine Yaeger, Bonnie (David) Hunter; granddaughters Jennifer (Angus) Beaton, Lana Hunter; great granddaughter Claire Mahri Beaton; sister Grace Meredith and nephews Doug and Brian Meredith. Sadly predeceased by his infant daughter Betty Marie.
Dad was a man of many hats!! From a farm boy in Virden, Manitoba to a future entrepreneur in Alberta’s far north, Dad did it all. Selling the Edmonton Bulletin and the Edmonton Journal at three cents a copy was Dad’s big start. He applied for janitor of the Whitelaw schools and got the job for several years at $10 a month. Splitting wood in your sleep was essential. Dad also “rode the rails” (sometimes under the box car) back east to pick up vehicles for his Dad’s car dealership. Upon delivery he then became the driving instructor for many a customer.
After high school, Boyd’s Shows out of Peace River offered Dad a job operating a travelling picture show. All that splicing, crimping and tinkering with projection equipment gave him qualifications as an electrician for the R.C.A.F.
In 1939, he purchased a hardware store in Hines Creek, just 20 miles north of Fairview. The store stayed open when Dad enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1942. While on leave, he met Gracie Chalmers, the love of his life, at one of the local dances. They married May 31, 1944. In 1945 they returned to Hines Creek, where they continued running the store.
Two daughters, Lorraine (1948) and Bonnie (1952) arrived on the scene, much to his delight. Dad was voted in as the first mayor, fire chief and ambulance driver of Hines Creek (probably the latter because we had a red station wagon at the time).
Many good years were spent up north, but Mom and Dad decided a move to the Okanagan was in their future. In the summer of 1963, we along with Grandma Chalmers and the family dog, ventured south down the not yet completed Yellowhead Highway. In Kelowna Dad completed the real estate course and was one of only 30 realtors at that time. With the help of friends, Dad put up a summer cabin at Coral Beach in 1965 (duct tape wasn’t invented yet). Many summers were enjoyed by all. Dad even got up on water skis, first try! Mom and Dad loved dancing, even square dancing. He drove the callers crazy with his extra steps! For almost 30 years Mom and Dad wintered south of Desert Hot Springs, driving down between Christmas and New Year’s, no matter what the weather!
We are going to miss Dad’s quiet demeanor and genuine kindness. (Who else can sit amongst a mother deer and her fawn?) We know how much he loved us and that will keep us strong.
Thanks for the memories.
Thank-you so much.
There will be a private family service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Okanagan Hospice Society, 3506 – 27 Ave., Vernon, BC V1T 1S4.
Service
There will be a private family service.
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the North Okanagan Hospice Society, 3506 - 27 Ave., Vernon, BC V1T 1S4.
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The service for YAEGER, Norman W. is scheduled for There will be a private family service.. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
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Condolences
To Grace , Lorraine , Bonnie , David and Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Norm.
He was a sweet heart of a man and we all loved spending time with him and Grace.
Always lots of laughs and Fun. Dinners out -with a coupon – were always Fun and then back to Norm’s for ice cream. Great memories and lots of love flowed through Norm and Grace. We all still rave about the BEST cherries in the Okanagan. We will miss him deeply but we must remember that he was a Special man and we will be strong and cherish our time with him.
love from Alice , Gary , Jan , Jason , Stacey and Aaron xxxx
To the Family;
My days of knowing Mr.Yaeger go back to the early days of kelowna Springs golf course where I served as Club President.
Mr.Yaeger was a gentle kind man that conducted himself on the golf course in the same manner as you have described his life. I have played in many a tournament where he played and had fun. Rest in Peace I am enriched to have known you.
Respectfully,
Ken Warren
Our thoughts are with you all, Bob & Donna
Our thoughts are with you all, Bob & Donna Hunter
To Grace,Lorraine and Bonnie,
So sorry to hear about Norm’s passing and your great loss, always enjoyed my visits with Grace and Norm on my stays in Kelowna.
Norm was a great friend of my parents,Glenn and Isabel White for so many years until their passing a few years ago.They were friends for over 50 years.
Norm was the ultimate enterpreneur who I had great respect for, always enjoyed talking about real estate and the stock market with him.
It was his guidance that led me to buying a home in Balmoral Estates in Kelowna.
Now that he has joined my mom and dad they will have many laughs and conversations about the good old days.
Sincere condolences from the Whites–Tilden, Laura, Maureen, Randy,Bradley, Roberta,and Reed.
Our condolences to the family of Norman Yeager , we knew Norman for most of the years that he ran the hardware store in Hines Creek , always enjoyed a visit with Norman. We just saw Norman’s obituary in the Fairview Post.
Grace, Lorraine, Bonnie and family, I was so glad that I was able to be there for your dad’s 97 bday. It is always fun to remember the Hines Creek days. Thank you for inviting me to share in Norman’s funeral.
from your former babysitter, Helan Grant
We were sad to hear of Normans passing, he was a great man and very kind to us when we visited in Kelowna. I remember many visits to Hines Creek to play with cousins Lorraine and Bonnie it was always a joy to visit. He will be sadly missed our thoughts are certainly with Grace and of course her caregivers Bonnie and Lorraine. Love from John and Linda