Obituary of Jean Elizabeth Fink

Jean Elizabeth Fink was born June 4, 1931 to Ernest and Viola Price in the Hastings Coulee area. She passed away March 30, 2018 at the age of 86, in the Daysland Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jean was one of eight children in a typical large farm family. She learned to play the piano at an early age. She played completely by ear, never reading notes. Jean enjoyed going to community dances where she met Alvin. Their first date was at the Valentine’s dance at Hastings Coulee. They were married on September 9, 1949. Their first home was the tiny house Alvin was living in across the road from his parents. Jean’s mother in law, Elsie Fink taught her how to crochet. This became a love that continued until a couple years ago when Parkinson’s forced her to stop. They had 3 children, Gary in 1952, Bev in 1955 and Terry in 1970. They built a new house in 1957. Jean took pride in her yard, even winning Communities in Bloom Best Yard a few years ago. Gary and Bev both got married in 1975. Gary to Brenda Kuefler and Bev to Alan Bownes. This began Jean’s greatest love, her grandchildren. In 2000 after Terry married Nicole Krevenchuk, Jean and Alvin retired to Forestburg, December 2006 Jean and Alvin lost their beloved Gary. In 2014 they found a whole new family at the Big Knife Villa. Jean then experienced more health issues, cancer. She joined Gary on Good Friday.

She will be sadly missed by her loving husband of 68 years, Alvin. Daughter in law Brenda and her children Shawn (Candy), Brooke, Austin and Phoenix; Linda (Shane) Kells, Lexie and Kole; Holly (Caroline). Daughter Bev (Alan) Bownes and their children Cara (Gary) Kroetsch, Taylor and Trent; Jenny (Rob) Sigsworth, Gage, Teige and Emery; Nathan (Leanne), Jordan and Liam. Son Terry (Nikki) and their children Brad and Aidan. Jean is also survived by her sister Elsie Bish, twin brother Gerald Price, sisters in law Lois Price, Connie Reid, brother in law Bob Reid and numerous nieces and nephews.   

Jean was predeceased by her parents Ernest and Viola Price; parents in law Henry and Elsie Fink; brothers Ted, Dick, Jack and Ernie; sister Gwen Jans; brothers in law Ernie Jans, Wes Bish, Wilfred Fink, Albert Jahns and Shirley Holben; sisters in law Rita Price, Mabel Martz, Vera Jahns and Lorene Holben; her beloved son Gary.

Our heartfelt thank you to the incredible staff at the Daysland Hospital. Mom was treated with kindness and dignity by every member of the staff. We will forever be grateful. Mom’s palliative care nurse, Tina-Marie Schwab, she made this journey easier for all of us and the staff and Homecare at the Big Knife Villa are an amazing group.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at the Forestburg Community Hall. Memorial donations in memory of Jean may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Daysland Hospital Foundation.