Alice (Akke) Bremer

Alice (Akke) Bremer

January 6, 1940 - July 21, 2026 (86 years old)

On July 21, 2026, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully with family at her side. We are comforted that she is now in heaven with her beloved husband, August Bremer, who passed away on January 6, 2021.

Alice (nee Reitsma) was born in Kollumerzwaag, Friesland, The Netherlands in 1940. She trained and worked as a seamstress as a young adult. In early 1958, she followed her sweetheart, August, to Victoria, BC, Canada, where he had been rooming with her brothers. They were married on November 28, 1958. When she first came to Canada she worked as a housekeeper and cook, learning to make her famous apple pie, which August loved.They soon started their family, with their eldest child, Jennie, being born in 1960. She was soon followed by Eric in 1962, Henry in 1963, and Irene in 1967. They had a small chicken farm in Brentwood Bay and Alice graded the eggs. They later moved off the island to Matsqui / Abbotsford, where August raised calves. Alice was always involved helping feed and milk the cattle and growing a large garden. In April 1972, they moved to Armstrong so August could start a dairy farm full-time. Their fifth and final child, Jim, was born in the Enderby hospital in July 1972. They subsequently moved the dairy farm to Enderby in 1974, where their grandsons still run the farm today. August and Alice eventually moved off the dairy farm, though August still raised cattle, grew silage and hay, and started a trucking operation.

Alice was always involved volunteering with the church: Sunday School, women’s ministry, girls club, hospitality committee, and Friendship Club. She later volunteered for many years at Parkview Place, the Enderby Seniors Home, helping make crafts. She also volunteered for many years with the Churches Thrift Store in Salmon Arm.

Alice was also a very creative person, sewing clothes and quilts, making teddy bears, crocheting, taking photographs, quilling, and making cards and scrapbooks. She submitted several photographs to the Salmon Arm fair and Armstrong IPE throughout the years. Her grandkids have fond memories of making crafts with Alice as children.

She always loved spending time with the grandkids as they grew, sharing a cup of tea with friends and family, and joining family gatherings. She is remembered fondly for how she always smiled with her whole face with a twinkle in her eye or a gently teasing comment to share. We are grateful for the care she received in Shuswap Lodge and Hillside Village in her final years of life.

Alice had a strong faith in God and regularly attended Cornerstone CRC in Salmon Arm, where she and August were involved in the church life from the time it was started. She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses: Jennie (Jim), Eric (Gloria), Henry (Henrietta), Irene (David), and Jim (Olivia); 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren (#14 is on the way!); a brother and a sister; and numerous siblings-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, parents, and other siblings.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bible League Canada or Alzheimer's Society.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Cornerstone Church in Salmon Arm on August 4th at 2pm. 2151 11th Ave NE, Salmon Arm BC.