Obituary of Chris DeLeeuw

Chris was born on November 29, 1956 in Lacombe, Alberta, coming very early to the delighted, but surprised and worried parents, Alphonse and Esther DeLeeuw, weighing in at 3 lbs 4 oz. His first months were spent eating and sleeping in a drawer that was by the wood stove to keep him warm. Being born early didn't stop him from growing into a loving and mischievous little boy. He loved to talk about when his sisters were washing the floor, he would wait to ride his truck across the floor to make tracks and then or course, ran like the dickens to get away from his chasing sisters. He attended school in Mecca Glenn up to grade nine and finished school at the Ponoka Composite High School. After School in 1976, he worked for the department of Highways and the Hinton Saw Mill. In 1977 he started working for Great West Feeds in Ponoka, until it burnt down. During this time, he became a member of the Knights of Columbus. One day he had a meeting with another member of K of C, this is where he met Bernita and from there history was made. They became engaged in February of 1979. Chris and Bernita were married on August 9, 1980. After the feed mill burnt down in Ponoka, he transferred to Red Deer for a while. He then went to work at Quality Feeds in Lacombe. When V&S started up Chris went to work there until 1997. During that time, on March 8, 1991, his pride and joy, Jennifer, was born. On June 29, 1997, Chris, Bernita and Jennifer set out for a new venture in Manning, Alberta where they bought a service station and operating as Manning Mohawk for eight years. They sold the business February 5, 2005, and Chris moved to Tumbler Ridge so that he could make more improvements on their future retirement home. Bernita and Jen moved when school was out in June. In October 2006, he started driving coal truck for Ledcor. He loved to brag to his older brother that he drove a bigger truck than he did. He loved his job and was a very conscientious worker. Chris loved the mountains, hiking and quadding. He also loved to work and tinker on things mechanical or yard work. He was a very caring person and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He will always be remembered for his laughter, tricks, smart comebacks and his fun loving spirit. Chris passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 20, 2008. A Memorial Service was held in Tumbler Ridge on June 24, 2008 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church. Fr. David John officiated. A Funeral Service was held in Ponoka, Alberta on June 30, 2008. Fr. Jim Corrigan officiated. Interment was held in the Forest Home Cemetery, Ponoka, Alberta. Ponoka Funeral arrangements were under the care of Bowker Funeral Home & Crematorium. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium