Hilts: Fern died at Poplar Ridge on August 4, 2010 at the age of 90. She was born in Bracken, SK on July 22, 1920 where she grew up in a large family of nine children.
Fern eventually came to Trail, where she met the first love of her life, Martin Bale. They married in 1942 and raised a family of four in China Creek and Kinnaird. She went back to school at the age 40 and got her hairdressing license. Fern eventually opened her own shop in Fruitvale.
She was very active in her church, serving two missions – one in St. George, Utah with her husband Martin and a second after his death in 1991 in Louisiana. Fern met and married Ralph Hilts in the 90’s and they shared many years together.
Fern leaves to mourn her children Bill (Laura) and their children Jenny and Jo; Sharlene (James) and their children Alison, Braden and Charissa; John (Charlene) and their children Jackie, Melanie, Martin, Shelby; Patti (Cynthia); as well as nine great-grandchildren; and sisters Rene McCarthy and Louella Davidson, both of Kelowna BC. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Hilts; sisters Gladys, Verla, and Alvina; and brothers Joseph, Clifford, Earnest.
A memorial service in celebration of Fern’s life will be held at the Latter Day Saints Church in Trail on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Al Grywacheski of Personal Alternative Funeral Services “Carberry’s Chapel” is entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Fern’s memory may be made to the Trail Hospice and Palliative Care, c/o Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, 1200 Hospital Bench Road, Trail, BC V1R 4M1, and will be greatly appreciated by the family. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online Memorial Register at: personalalternative.com.