With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Yvonne Wiles. Wife to Doug Wiles (deceased), Mother to Laura (Larry) Ziprick, Brent Wiles (deceased), Brenda (Norman) Reed, and Daryl Wiles. Grandmother to Emry (Tyler) Mika, Melissa (Steve) Meidlinger, Travis (Elisha) Reed, and Rebecca Reed. GG to Natalie Meidlinger, Arilyn Mika, Emerlynn Reed, Shaedon Mika, Alyson Meidlinger, Charley Reed, and Thomas Meidlinger. She was known by many others as Grandma or Auntie, and as a friend to countless more. 

Yvonne was born in Spalding Sask., Jan 8, 1942, the third child to Peter and Genevieve Kramer.  Later the family moved to Manitoba and in Oct. 1957,  the Kramer family moved to Fort St. John.  When they arrived in Taylor, the bridge had collapsed and they had to use the ferry to cross the Peace River and then be towed up the hill and through Taylor.  Quite a welcome to a new home!  

Upon arrival, the family rented a house a few blocks from the Post Office in FSJ.   Yvonne and Janice went for a walk and ended up getting their boots stuck in the mud.  They were so mad they decided they were going to work to make enough money and then move back to Manitoba.  How many people have said these very words only to find friends, and love and never leave Fort St. John. 

 In November 1957 Yvonne got a job in the Paediatric ward of the FSJ Hospital, helping with feeding and care. Later she moved up to the diet kitchen. She worked there until June 1960. Community dances were very popular during this time and groups of friends piled into cars to attend and enjoy a night of fun together. Yvonne and Doug met at one of these dances.  

In June 1960 Yvonne married Doug Wiles and they raised three children together, built a successful business together and enjoyed a wonderful life for 50 years until Doug’s passing in 2010.  Yvonne was an exceptional caregiver to Doug during his health challenges. Yvonne also was a pillar behind Doug as he was involved in so many community building projects. She kept the home fires burning . Not only was she Doug’s business partner but she sewed all of her family's clothing, tended a massive vegetable garden, and enjoyed knitting lovely sweaters for each generation through her lifetime. 

Family was very important to Yvonne and she enjoyed all the times spent together.  When Yvonne received the new title of “GG '' it brought a joy like no other to her. Playtime in her backyard, tiny helping hands, and sharing gifts to each great-grandchild of her homemade jams made her constant smile even broader. 

Siblings Dan (Maureen-Deceased) Kramer, Janice (Tommy) Jarratt, Ron (Noreen) Kramer, Sharol Hofstrand, and Allan Kramer will miss their kind sister, especially her presence at the card table.  

There will be a family graveside service, with a celebration of life at a later time. Expressions of sympathy can be made in Yvonne’s honour to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation. Yvonne’s family would like to share a heartfelt thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at the FSJ Hospital for their gentle care and wonderful kindness.

Mom, you left us too soon and we will truly miss you each and every day. Your kindness and gentleness was always so easy and comforting. We each share a forever love with you.