Obituary of Vergene Orth

1920 - 2009

It is with great sadness that the family of Zina Vergene Orth announce her passing on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at Joseph Creek Care Village in Cranbrook, British Columbia at 88 years of age.

Vergene was born to Bernard Ralph Boehmer and Zina Elizabeth (Blackmore) Boehmer on July 4, 1920 in Cardston, Alberta. She was the oldest girl of 11 children. The family moved to the Creston Valley when she was 7 years old and the Creston Valley remained one of her favorite places. She married Edward William Orth on January 15, 1938 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. They moved to Cranbrook in 1945 and have called Cranbrook home ever since. Vergene was a mom who loved children and took care of many others as she was raising her own. She was always the first one to help anyone who needed help. She loved to cook and bake things and was always delivering a casserole or freshly baked bread to anyone in need. She loved to serve in the church and held many positions over the years. She also worked for many years at the Cranbrook Hospital until she retired in 1985.

She was the best mother in the world and will be greatly missed by all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Vergene is survived by 7 children: Ed (Kathy), Darla (Charles) O'Dell of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Vida (Kaare) Gronnestad, Sandra (Hans) Lutters of Duncan, British Columbia, Kim (Dana) Orth of Calgary, Alberta, Marvin (Tina) Orth and Kip (Cathy) Orth of Victoria, British Columbia; 32 grandchildren; 53 great grandchildren; and 6 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Aloha Boehmer of Creston, British Columbia, Dawn Douglas of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Bill (Olga) Boehmer of Creston, British Columbia, Geraint Boehmer of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Wilton (Dorothy) Boehmer of Burns Lake, British Columbia, Carole (John) Poelt of Coleman, Alberta and Paige (Nola) Boehmer of Cardston, Alberta.

She was predeceased by her parents Bernard in 1947 and Zina in 1995; 2 brothers: Rupert in 2000 and Dennison in 1983; 1 sister Nesta in 1953; 1 son Roland in 1953; her husband Ed in 1974 and her daughter Faith Reiter in 1990. A funeral service for Vergene will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 1:00 pm in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 2210 - 2nd Street North in Cranbrook with Bishop Darrell Orth officiating. A graveside service and Interment will be in Westlawn Cemetery following the service. Friends wishing to make a memorial contribution in honour of Vergene may do so to the Cranbrook Food Bank, 104 - 8th Avenue, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 2K5. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.Condolences for the family can be offered at:www.mcphersonfh.com