Brent Herbert Sterland

Predeceased by parents:

Herbert Thomas Sterland (1958),

Elsie (Sterland) Burkette (2000)

Lawrence Burkette (2018),

Sister: Tannis Signe McKinnon April 7, 2020

The oldest of his great nephews Scott James Houghton (1993)

Brent is survived by his 1st Cousin Velma Davies of Comox, BC

His niece Sandra (Jacques)Drisdelle of Williams Lake, BC, niece Marylin Haff (Ken) of Port Moody, BC, nephew Loring Anderson of Burnaby, BC, niece Tracy Hill (Craig) Maple Ridge, BC and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Brent was born in Port Alice, BC but spent most of his childhood in the lower mainland. Residing in his early years on Vancouver Island in Port Alice, as an adolescent in Hammond, Maple Ridge, Surrey and Dawson Creek. Moving to Prince George at approximately 17 years old and remaining there for the rest of his life.

Brent lived and worked his adult life in Prince George, first as a carpenter with his stepfather Lawrence, and then as a taxi owner and driver, contracting out to Prince George Taxi.

He loved playing baseball and golf in his younger years. He also spent a lot of his spare time fishing in the rivers and lakes around BC.

Brent especially loved football and hockey, his favorite teams were the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Black Hawks. Yes, Brent was all Canadian, but when it came to football and hockey it was all about the game.

Some people would say that Brent was a little bent but all I can say is I knew him to be my Uncle Bent. We were raised together in our early years and as he knew me best, I was known to him as his nice Niece 😊 He was one of my best teachers of forgiveness, I loved him and learned a lot from him. This came late in his life, but when it comes to love and forgiveness it is never too late.

Due to various health issues Brent, spent his final years in the good care of various agencies in the community throughout the city; The P.G. Food Bank, The Native Friendship Society, Rodica House and many doctors, nurses and care aids in various wards of The Prince George Regional Hospital. His final home was in the Simon Fraser Lodge in Prince George, where he resided in the Spruce neighbourhood, where he was cared for with gentleness and respect. He was usually met with smiles and was personally acknowledged by various caregivers when we would go about different parts of the Lodge.

Brent spent hours playing cards, his favorite was the game of Crib, we spend a lot of time in the last few years over a crib board, as to who won or lost well it all depended on who was paying attention the most, and as long as he had his strawberry milk shake, he was happy.

God’s grace and love was obvious on Brent in his last days by the difference in his personality, it was common to see an open and expectant look on his face that would easily break out into a warm smile. Personality wise he was generally a softie in his responses to others. Brent did acknowledge he knew who Jesus was, he always welcomed and was receptive to prayer.

Live Your Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth

and spoke the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of

all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cares...the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So, think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider

what’s true and real and always try

to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when our eulogy is being read,

with your life’s action to rehash…

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

Linda Ellis