Obituary of Tena Fischer

Tena Fischer, a long time resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, June 12, 2015 in Dawson Creek at the age of 80 years. Tena was born on June 9, 1935 at home in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan to parents Cornelius and Lisa Unrau. In 1937 they moved close to Pierceland in an area known as Northern Pine. Tena was the oldest of seven siblings. Being the oldest, Tena learned early about helping out in the kitchen, around the house, and with the children. She was responsible for dishes, washing clothes, and cooking meals. Life on the farm was not easy, especially without electricity or water. Tena describes their log house with mud between the logs and straw-filled mattresses made by dad. There was a slough on the property and also a church with a graveyard. They had chickens, pigs, cows, geese, turkeys, and horses. Grain was grown to feed the animals, garden vegetables and fish would add variety to the menu. Berries grew all over the place; saskatoons, raspberries, and chokecherries. She remembers that they always had enough to eat. Tena and Dennis were married in 1953 and they have five children; Glenn Cornelius was born in 1954, Debbie Diane in 1957, Lloyd Dennis in 1960, Joy Rita in 1967, followed by Patty Elaine in 1970. In the early years of their marriage, the family moved around frequently because of Dennis' construction work. They settled in Dawson Creek in 1962 where they moved to an acreage in an area known as Bessborough, 8 miles out of Dawson Creek. Tena had a busy life with the children and their home as well as taking care of the chickens, pigs, goats, and cows. She also worked two part-time jobs outside the home; she worked at Kresge's in Dawson Creek, and the bakery in Lamont, and she also babysat children for school teachers in Lamont. After Dennis' passing in 1999, Tena continued to care for Danny their grandson, in Dawson Creek until his graduation. When Danny graduated, Tena remarked that it was the first time in 45 years she wouldn't be sending a child to school. Debbie and Tena lived together until Debbie's untimely death in 2008. After Debbie's passing, Tena moved to St. Albert to live with Patty and Paige. She was now in driving distance of Lloyd so she was able to have frequent visits and celebrate special occasions with him. Tena moved back to Dawson Creek in 2013 where she was now closer to her children Glenn and Joy and her extended family. Glenn took exceptional care of Tena from the time of her diagnosis to her passing. Tena loved being a mother and in later years loved being a grandmother, great grandmother, and a great-great grandmother. Tena has twelve grandchildren: Glenn's children are Samantha, Cyndie, James Tyson, Debbie's children are Len, Frankie, and Virginia, Lloyd's children are Kristy and Jenna, Joy's children are Amanda, Michael, and Danny, and Patty's daughter is Paige. Tena has fourteen great grandchildren: Savannah, Kourtnee, Emilee, Payden, Brie-Anne, Doug, Zach, Emma, Cameron, Cadao, Keeghan, Belle, Ethan, and Landon, and one great-great grandchild, Kenzie. Tena was predeceased by her father Cornelius Unrau and her mother Lisa Monro, her husband Dennis Fischer, her daughter Debbie Fischer and her brothers Ed and Leonard Unrau. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM from Reynars Funeral Chapel. Pastor Cory Lizotte officiated. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium