Ursula Johanna Binkle

With profound sadness, the family of Ursula Binkle announce her passing. Ursula died on February 24, 2025, in Mission Memorial Hospital, where both she and husband Gus had been admitted for influenza.

Ursula is survived by her devoted husband Gus. On March 17th, they would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Ursula will be forever missed by her family: daughters Christine (Darrell) Paul, Karin Shank, and Janet (Brian) McNeil and son Gus Binkle (Carol). Her grandchildren know her as Oma, and she was devoted to them and supported them in all endeavours. Grandchildren are Jennifer (Tracy) Maddison, Teresa (Jeff) Malahoff, Alisha Binkle (Mark), Nathan Paul (Gabby), Aaron Paul (Stephanie), Emily Paul (Derek), Ben Paul (Savannah), Nolan Paul (Hannah), Martin Shank, Wesley Shank (Kaitlyn), Darrell Shank (Shantelle), Trent McNeil (Sarah), and Kurt Mc Neil. At family gatherings, Oma loved to watch the “greatgrands” and she enjoyed the energy they brought to our family. “Greatgrands” are Johnathan Brines, Kevin and Derek Maddison, Alex Malahoff, Oliver and Ava von Hardenberg, William, Everett, Everly, and Brinley Paul, Paisley, Aliyah, and Scarlett Shank, and Payton McNeil.

Ursula was predeceased by her parents Martha and Otto Norheimer and brother Horst. Also predeceased by her much-loved sister and best friend, Emmi Fenner.

Ursula lived life to the fullest. She was born in Germany into a large extended family, who survived together as refugees during World War II. Even though times were difficult, and they were often hungry, Ursula remembered her childhood as happy and she told of many adventures she had with her sister. In 1955, she started dating Gus, They were married in 1956 and lived in an upstairs apartment in the Binkle family home. Christine, Gus, and Karin were born in Germany. In 1966, Gus and Ursula decided to take their young family to Canada. Gus came first with $50 in his pocket, and Ursula followed with the children once Gus had found a job and a place to live. Janet was born in Canada. Starting in her teens, Ursula worked at a variety of jobs: store clerk and manager, packing fruit in a cannery, picking berries, cleaning offices, cleaning in a hospital, and providing childcare for others. Eventually she became a rural route mail carrier, a job she loved until she retired.

In Canada, Ursula and Gus first lived in Maple Ridge but eventually moved to their beautiful 10-acre property in McConnell Creek, Mission. Here, Ursula loved growing flowers and shrubs of all kinds. Just before she passed away, she was happy to see that snow drops had finally poked their heads out of the snowy ground. Ursula also shared many hobbies with Gus and her children and grandchildren. She loved fishing, canoeing, sailing, and camping. She and Gus travelled in Europe and North America and to Cuba and the South Seas. Ursula participated wholeheartedly in the lives of her grandchildren. She loved to have them “stay over” and she supported all their sporting and other activities. She regularly beat the grandkids at cards and board games.

Ursula was a wonderful cook and baker, and she enjoyed hosting people in her home. Her cookies and cakes were legendary, and she made wedding cakes for her daughters and granddaughters. She was also very talented at knitting and made clothing and blankets for many family members.

Both Gus and Ursula loved music and dancing. They learned to ballroom dance in their teens, and they kept dancing well into their eighties. Any place there was music, they could be found dancing! Ursula also loved to line dance.

Over they years, Ursula enjoyed many shopping trips with daughters and granddaughters. As her health declined and she needed regular hospital visits for tests, she would follow up each visit with a trip to the hospital gift shop to buy a new outfit. Ursula’s closet is full of beautiful outfits, shoes, and jewelry and purses. Anyone was welcome to borrow items from her stash! Ursula took pride in always looking her best.

Ursula was a big supporter of community. For many years, she volunteered her time and talents to support the McConnell Creek Hall and the community she lived in. Ursula and Gus were also members of the Valley Power and Sail Squadron, and she supported their activities.

Ursula believed in trying new things and she learned to white water canoe and to sail after she had raised her family. Even though she was never comfortable in the water, she took it on as a personal challenge. She enjoyed the many canoe and sail trips, and she made many good friends during these adventures.

For the past few years, Ursula very much enjoyed her life at Chartwell Retirement Residence. Throughout her life, she made friends easily and it was the same at this new home. Right away she knew people by name, and she participated in activities and bus trips. She was friends with residents and staff. She continued to be involved with her family, and she always looked forward to going out with her children and grandchildren.

Ursula had a strong faith throughout her life. Wherever she lived, she found a church community. She was a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, and she loved to attend services, both to participate in worship and to connect with her many friends there. She always had a kind word for everyone, and she supported the Food Bank and other outreach projects.

Ursula lived a long and full life. She had a positive attitude, and she was not afraid of hard work. She also enjoyed a good party, and she loved to be surrounded by family and friends.

She was fiercely competitive in games, and she was sharp and quick witted. She loved math and numbers, and she was a fast learner.

She was an honest and loyal friend, a loving and supportive Oma and mother, and a devoted wife. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. We are thankful for her time here with us.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to McConnell Creek Hall or Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.