Obituary of Edith Bernice Knowles

Edith Knowles, a long time resident of Chetwynd; formerly of Dawson Creek, B.C. passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 in Dawson Creek at the age of 93 years. Edith was born on June 30, 1922 in Eston, Saskatchewan to parents Wellington and Mabel Warren and was the fifth of nine children. Her family moved to the Peace area in the Spring of 1929. In the Spring of 1930 they headed west to their new home in Lone Prairie. There were only five other families in the valley and the eight additional Warren children allowed the community to build their own school. Edith was very proud that her father had helped build the school, and was very happy to show her children and grandchildren that it was still standing many years later. In 1933 Edith and her sister Ethel moved to East Pine so there would be enough children to start a school there. They stayed with the Palmer family and worked for their room and board. Over the next two years, the rest of family made their way to East Pine and homesteaded along the Pine River. On March 26, 1939, an ice jam that had formed on the river had let loose during the night killing her parents, three sisters, and three nephews, and destroyed the Warren home. Edith survived by clinging to a tree and was rescued later by her brother-in-law Frank Parr and neighbor Jack Rosenau. After the flood, Edith stayed with her sister Edna and her husband Frank Parr at Groundbirch. She moved to Dawson Creek in the fall of 1939 and worked at the St. Josephs Hospital. In 1941 Edith was living in Pouce Coupe and working at the National Cafe when she met her soon to be husband, Dave Knowles. Edith followed Dave to Edmonton where he was taking basic training. They were married on July 19, 1941 and on October 9, 1942 Dave shipped overseas. Dave Jr. was born on October 18, 1942. By the end of the war Edith was back in Dawson Creek waiting for Dave's return. They spent a few years at Prophet River where Dave worked on the road maintenance crew. Their daughter Patricia was born on June 5, 1948. In 1951 their son Fred was born, followed by their fourth child Beverly, in 1953. Being ambitious, she always wanted her own business and in 1966 they bought a Drive-In restaurant in Chetwynd. With her work ethics and skills in the kitchen it became the place to go for ice cream, hamburgers, and the best fried chicken in the area. When her restaurant sold Edith became the head cook at the Chetwynd Hospital. Edith loved to travel and would have done more if given the chance. She was generous and always put others' needs before her own. She was ambitious, even with a busy family and work schedule, she was the one everybody called to help get things done. Edith was a life-member of both the Royal Purple and the Legion Auxiliary. She participated in the Seniors' Games and was a counsellor to senior citizens. She would finished her work week at the hospital and drive on a deserted logging road to spend time in camp with her husband. It was this devotion that kept their married together for 70 years. She was also a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Edith is survived by her children: Dave (Anne) Knowles, Patricia (Bill) Schilds, Fred (Yvonne) Knowles, and Beverly (Barry) Embree, eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM from Reynars Chapel. Pastor Bill Evans officiated. Interment will be held at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Edith to Rotary Manor Resident , Council Fund, 1121-90 Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 5A3. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium Memorial Service 1:00 pm Saturday, January 9, 2016 Reynars Funeral Chapel 1300 102nd Avenue Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada V1G 2C6