Elva Verdena Kratzmann

Elva Verdena Kratzmann SEPTEMBER 22, 1937 - FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Peace and a faithful journey into the life hereafter came to our beloved Elva shortly before midnight on February 27, 2019, at the Vernon Hospice Home. Even at 81 her passing was premature to the many relatives and close friends that loved her. Elva is survived by husband Heinz, who she affectionately called her "little man". In addition to our grief over the loss of Elva, we are here to support Heinz who, at the age of 97, resides at Polson Residential Care. Elva was born in Shearstown Newfoundland, the youngest of seven children born to William Tetford and his wife Margaret, nee Sharpe. Elva's only surviving sibling is her sister Olga, born in 1927, who resides here in Vernon. Her other siblings were sisters Mary (1922-1992), Laura (1924-2015) and Katie (1929-2006), and young Margaret whose life ended in childhood in 1940 and Martin as an infant in 1934. As a young woman, Elva moved to the mainland and worked as a bookkeeper before returning to her hometown to care for her father after her mother's passing in 1971. She assumed that important responsibility with great dedication, then sought new opportunities joining her sister Laura and family in Kincardine, Ontario. Elva found God and her Saviour when she was 14, and her faith and commitment led her to attend Christian meetings with Laura at the same time that recently widowed (for the second time) Heinz Kratzmann, then age 60, attended. They married soon after in September 1982 and have been together ever since. They resided in Balm Beach, Ontario and wintered in Port Charlotte, Florida, later travelling through the states and up the west coast to visit Olga. In 1994 they made the bold and exciting decision to sell everything and move to Vernon, BC, arriving with all their remaining possessions packed in their VW Camper Van. Upon arriving, Elva and Heinz maintained their simple lifestyle and made countless friends through their association with the Lord. Sometimes to the chagrin of Elva, they continued to winter down south in Yuma, Arizona, and later back in Port Charlotte, Florida, until Heinz's sudden stroke at 95. Once more, Elva became the ultimate caregiver, caring for Heinz for more than a year at home. Her emotional care never ended when he moved into Polson, as she visited him every day until her own health prevented her from doing so. It was obvious how much her dedication meant when the staff at Polson cried upon learning Elva's cancer had returned. Professional nurses and aids from the home took time to visit Elva in hospital during the last month of her life. The tributes that flowed from those health care workers and Heinz and Elva's many friends gives full expression to the selfless manner in which Elva Verdena Tetford-Kratzmann lived the "dash" in her 81 years between the first and the last day of her life. It goes without saying she will be missed by the many whose lives she has touched. In particular, her sister Olga, Heinz's son Peter, her grand-daughters Vanessa and Meredith, and great grand-daughters Lydia and Lulu, as well as her dear nieces and nephews, the many other children that know her as Grandma Elva, and all of her brothers and sisters in truth. A funeral Service will take place at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 11am with a burial to follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Reception to follow. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Elva's honour to the North Okanagan Hospice Society 250-503-1800 Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.pleasantvalleyfh.com Arrangements entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home 250-542-4333