Creston Valley Funeral Services

06/04/2026

Ronald "Chuck" Wilfred Valgardson
June 27, 1944 - May 30, 2026

Long time resident of Riondel, BC, Ronald “Chuck” Wilfred Valgardson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on May 30, 2026, at Swan Valley Lodge, in Creston, BC, at the age of 82 years.

Ron was born on June 27, 1944, to parents Ann & Wilfred Valgardson, in Prince Albert, SK. Throughout most of his life he was a plumber and pipefitter. He was also a member of the local 496 for over 50 years.

Ron was predeceased by his parents Ann & Wilfred Valgardson.

Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife Eileen, son Randy, daughter Kari (Karl) Swope of Blaine, WA, Debbie, Shelley Burnett of Edmunds, WA, grandchildren Peyton and Colson Swope, Jeremy and Kailey Burnett, brother Harvey (Joan) of Victoria, BC, and sister Karen of Edmonton, AB.

The family would like to thank the staff at Swan Valley Lodge for the care Ron & Eileen received during his stay.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca

06/02/2026

Christine "Tweet" Marjorie Munkerud
June 16, 1941 - May 14, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Christine “Tweet” Marjorie Munkerud (nee Davis) on May 14, 2026, in Creston, BC, at the age of 84 years.

Christine was born on June 16, 1941, in Worthing, England.

Christine will be lovingly remembered by her husband Terje Munkerud.

Christine was predeceased by her mother Marj Davis, father Bill Davis, and brother Roger Davis.

A Come and Go Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday July 5, 2026, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Creston Rotacrest Hall.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca

05/26/2026

A Place to Pause, Reflect, and Remember

We are pleased to share our new Memorial Garden at Creston Valley Funeral Services.

Nestled overlooking Creston’s iconic grain elevator and our amazing valley, the garden offers a unique place to sit, reflect, and take in one of the most recognizable views in our community. Looking out across the Creston Valley, it is a peaceful space to remember loved ones, gather your thoughts, or simply enjoy a quiet moment.

You do not need to be attending a service to visit. The garden is open to anyone seeking a place of comfort, reflection, or connection.

Our hope is that this space becomes a small sanctuary in the heart of Creston—a place where memories can be cherished while overlooking the valley we are fortunate to call home.

We welcome anyone to come and enjoy the view.

Our Memorial Garden is also proud to be part of the Creston Nectar Network, a community-led initiative by Wildsight Creston Valley. The native wildflowers planted throughout the garden help create important habitat for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. As part of a growing network of small wildflower plantings across the valley, these gardens act as stepping stones that allow pollinators to move safely through the landscape. By supporting the Creston Nectar Network, we are helping strengthen local biodiversity, improve ecosystem health, and contribute to a more resilient Creston Valley through collective community action and environmental stewardship.

05/21/2026

Gerald Gordon Chugg
February 1, 1961 - April 22, 2026

Gerald Gordon Chugg passed away on April 22, 2026, in Creston, BC at the age of 65 years.

Gerald was a friend to many and family to all.

Gerald was born on February 1, 1961, in Fort MacLeod, AB. He grew up in Alberta and moved to the Creston Valley in the early 90's. He has had many careers and interests over his full life. He talked fondly of his time as a CP Rail Train Engineer and as a Creston Valley Fire Fighter. He enjoyed traveling, boating, music festivals, community events, and everything else in between.

Gerald was predeceased by his parents Hilda & Gordon Chugg.

Gerald is survived by his niece Kimmy as well as many friends, far and wide.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday May 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Creston Valley Seniors Association Hall, then over to the Kokanee Pub for merriment, tribute, and storytelling.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca

05/13/2026

05/08/2026

Jinty Paterson
September 5, 1937-May 8, 2026

Jinty was born on Sunday, September 5th, 1937 in Bailleston Scotland to George and Isobel Divens. She died at her home, Shalimar, in Creston, B.C. on May 8, 2026 surrounded by loved ones.

Jinty was a beloved child born twelve years after her brother, John. Though Jinty’s birth name was Jessie, due to her father’s preference she was always called Jinty. Jinty’s parents were heavily involved with community and political activities. Their home was a gathering place for the neighborhood.

The war years affected the Divens family with George and John serving in the RAF. John was a rear gunner whose plane was downed over Holland. Jinty remembers the dread of the neighborhood when a telegram delivery man was spotted. One day it came to their home and her mother became hysterical when she read the sad news of John’s loss. When Jinty’s father left to serve he brought, Billy the dog to help protect Jinty and her mother while he was away. The sound of sirens still haunted Jinty for years as she remembered being bundled into her green siren suit and she and Billy went into the air raid shelter in the backyard while her mother checked on the elderly neighbors before entering the shelter herself. After the “all clear” siren was sounded, Jinty’s paternal grandfather who was a member of the Air Raid Precaution would come to check on Jinty and Isobel. The war brought rationing and food shortages as well.

Jinty was always a very social person whose many neighborhood friends often gathered at her home. She loved school and was active in many school clubs. She was the student representative for the parent teacher association at Coatbridge Secondary. At The Glascow and West of Scotland College of Domestic Science, familiarly known as Dough School, Jinty was the social convenor who organized monthly dances and other activities.
It was no surprise that her love of school led her to embrace teaching as a career. She taught at several schools including her own Coatbridge High School. She took special training in teaching underprivileged children and taught a modified program for that category of children at Dennistoun School. This was her most gratifying teaching post.

Jinty was always interested in politics and followed the example of her parents. She was involved in the Labour Party as a young woman (later years found her becoming more conservative in her outlook). She participated in marches supporting Nuclear Disarmament.

Jinty loved reading from an early age and enjoyed a wide variety of subjects: political biographies, classics, contemporary fiction like Jeffery Archer and poetry.

Jinty was a popular young woman who loved all music, especially Jazz. She loved to dance. It is no wonder she had many boyfriends including several musicians, a commercial artist and a classics scholar who quoted Greek poetry to her, prior to meeting Erik. She married Erik Thomas Paterson on July 1, 1965 and they were married for fifty years prior to Erik’s death in 2016. Their first child, Tara, was born in Scotland in 1968. Their second daughter, Fiona, was born in Canada, in 1972.

In the late 1960’s Erik became increasingly frustrated with the National Heath Service in Britain and like many of his medical school class explored emigrating to other countries. A job became available in Creston and the family moved in October of 1970. Though Jinty was a Glasgow girl at heart and missed her friends, she adjusted to small town living. To her being a wife, a mother and a contributing community member were her most important roles.

JInty was very active in community life and served on the Board of the Creston Community Library. She was a founding member of the Creston Homemakers Boards and set up training classes for homemakers. In 1976 she was one of seven members of the board of Creston Medical Management Ltd. This involved owning and administrating the Medical Clinic. In 1983 she was the founding president of the BC Medical Association Auxiliary, a support group for doctors and their spouses. She along with Ann Deatherage and Joan Sternagel developed the Parent Teacher group at Adam Robinson School and Prince Charles Secondary to increase communications between parents and school staff.

JInty was always involved in Fiona and Tara’s activities including Girl Guides, Path Finders, Figure Skating and Dancing.

From 1984-2019 Jinty was the Secretary for T.T. Paterson Consultants which was started by her father-in-law. From 1990-2011 She worked side by side with Erik as the administrator for Erik Paterson Medical Services, LTD

JInty travelled extensively throughout her life. She spent several weeks in Paris as a young woman. One memorable trip was sailing on a cargo shop to multiple European ports. She and Erik travelled the world from Algiers to Australia. Mulitple cruises were planned around viewing solar eclipses. She, Erik and the girls made multiple trips to Hawaii. After Erik’s death Jinty continued to travel, making multiple trips to Scotland and cruising down the coast to Mexico and through the Panama Canal.

After Tara moved back to Scotland in 1991, Jinty travelled there yearly. She went three times in 1992 to make arrangements for Tara’s wedding to Robin Duncan.

Erik and Jinty were delighted when Robin and Tara’s daughter, Ashley was born in May,1994. Erik and Jinty were devoted grandparents and were proud of the lovely young woman Ashley grew into. Ashley married a Creston man, Micah Snow and they presently live in Glasgow.

Hann, Fiona’s son was born in 2002 and again Erik and Jinty were delighted. Though Hann was a tiny, premature infant he has grown into a 6’4” man and who has lovingly cared for Jinty in her home for the past several years.

Jinty was always dedicated to her family and adored her grandchildren. She had a wide circle of friends and was always interested in meeting new people and hearing their stories. She was a generous person who was always ready to help in what ever way she could.

Celebration of Life
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
1:00PM - 2:00PM
Creston Valley Seniors Association Hall
810 Canyon St
Creston, BC V0B 1G0

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Creston Valley Funeral Services.

04/09/2026

Jade Gwendolyn Poetker
March 7, 2006 - April 2, 2026

in Creston, BC
at the age of 20 years

Lovingly remembered by parents Stephanie Derraugh (Ben), Michael Poetker (Robin), brothers Skye & River, as well as many family and friends.

Private Family Memorial Service to be held at a later date

Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Su***de Crisis Helpline https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/donate/.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca

04/02/2026

Ludwig (Louie) Zsoldos
January 29, 1956 - March 27, 2026

The family of the late Ludwig (Louie) Zsoldos is saddened to announce his peaceful passing at home on March 27, 2026, from natural causes at the age of 70 years.

Louie was an avid outdoorsman, who loved camping and cared for wild animals and nature. He loved doting on his cats, Caramel and Kubota, exploring the wilderness, and learning about Canadian history. He was an amazing grandfather to his five grandchildren and often took them camping and quadding. He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.

Louie will be lovingly remembered by his three children Sherry Simons (nee Zsoldos), Amy Jensen (nee Zsoldos), and Eric Zsoldos, five grandchildren Kyler, Parker, and Alyssa Simons, Emily and Evan Jensen, wife Susan Zsoldos (nee Ganske), siblings Irene Zsoldos, Susan Miceli (nee Zsoldos), John Zsoldos, Steven Zsoldos, and mother Hilde Zsoldos (nee Wussler).

Louie was predeceased by his father Lajos Zsoldos.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday April 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 210 Haddow Close NW, Edmonton, AB, T6R 2P3.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, PO Box 640, Creston, BC, V0B 1G0.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca

03/31/2026

Victor "Vic" Oswald Opper
March 20, 1960 - March 25, 2026

Victor "Vic" Oswald Opper passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the age of 66 years.

Vic was born on March 20, 1960, in Creston, British Columbia, to Ronald and Lillian Opper. He was the 11th of 15 children, growing up in a large and lively family.

In the early 1980s, Vic married and soon became a proud father. He welcomed his son Jay on September 28, 1982, and in March of 1985, his daughter Amy completed the family.

Vic dedicated much of his life to the oilfield, a career that took him across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and beyond, including work on offshore drilling rigs around the world. In 1992, he settled his family in Provost, Alberta.

Vic became a loyal Teamster and settled down with his long time partner Roxanne. They bought some property in Waskatenau, Alberta where they were able to care for Roxanne's mom, grow a big garden and raise their 2 dogs Luna and Jenny.

Vic was known for his kindness and generosity, as well as his love of hosting gatherings, where he often played his guitar and brought people together. Vic took great pride in his work, his appearance, and keeping his vehicles polished to perfection.

Vic will be lovingly remembered by his partner Roxanne Blais, his son Jay (Shae), his daughter Amy (Trevor), and grandson Ryder. Vic is also survived by his brothers Roy, Dave, Oral, James, Mike, George, and Gerald, sisters Sharon, Gail, Elizabeth and Mary, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Vic was predeceased by his parents Ronald and Lillian Opper, brothers Charles Opper and Murray Opper, and sister Lila Staszewski.

Vic will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his sense of humour, love of music, strong work ethic and the kindness he carried in his heart.

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date.

03/30/2026

“Rowyn” Diane Marie Raginski
January 30, 1956 – October 9, 2025

Rowyn was a woman of deep spirit and open heart, known for her love of dancing, gardening, and time spent outdoors, connected to Mother Nature and the natural world she cherished. Her friendships meant everything to her, and she found joy in movement, laughter, sharing food, and being surrounded by those she loved.

Rowyn is lovingly remembered by her son Evan, her partner Taz, and her granddaughters Esha and Lainey, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who were touched by her wild and free spirit.

A Celebration Dance in Rowyn’s honour will be held at Gray Creek Hall, on solstice Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 7 PM until late, to gather, remember, and celebrate a life well lived.