Emil Peter Foltan

Emil Peter Foltan was born on February 10, 1934 in Gunn, Alberta. Third son of Philip and Maria Foltan. He passed away on January 25, 2025, at the age of 90.  He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Willie and Paul (Mildred) and sister Anne.

He leaves to mourn his loving Wife of 41 years, Lee; His Son Eric (Louise); Daughter Marnie (Glen); Step-Daughters Brenda and Deborah (Peter); and five Grandchildren whom he adored...Amy, Isaac, Eli, Judah and Rose.....As well as extended family and friends.

He worked at Hayward Lumber in Edmonton area, and later moved to Powell River, BC. Where he worked for MacMillan Bloedel for a number of years. In 1970 he moved to Salmon Arm and worked as Security Watchman at Federated Co-op. He retired early in 1996.

Emil accepted the Lord and was baptized as an adult and continued to grow closer to the Lord through daily devotions and prayer. The verse that he chose for his life was Joshua 24:15,

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (KJV) Emil also enjoyed the community he and Lee were part of at the Broadview Evangelical Free Church. Emil’s special times were always with JOY Fellowship (JOY = “Just Older Youth”) on Wednesday mornings...He was blessed enjoying the singing, a word of encouragement for the week from the special speakers and coffee fellowship with other Seniors. It was a joy to sit beside him and hear him sing along. Sunday services were also a blessing for him.

Emil loved to help others and volunteered in the community many ways over the years. He served as Usher at the Church, drove bus for the residents at Bastion Place, and also delivered meals for “Meals on Wheels” with his wife Lee. Every year in June, they volunteered together at the “Singin’ Good News” weekend at the Sawatzky farm near Enderby. This was a wonderful weekend of music and song by the Good News Quartet, and many guest artists from year to year.

Emil enjoyed the great outdoors. He often went fishing at White Lake and would bring home rainbow trout. He enjoyed pitching horseshoes “in the sandbox” at the local Horseshoe Pitch park. He took part in many tournaments throughout BC from the coast, north to Prince George, south to Kamloops and throughout the Okanagan Valley. He was a challenging contender at the BC Summer Games and later the BC Seniors Games. In the “2012 Horseshoe Canada’s Top 100 Elders” list, he came in at EIGHTH with a ‘Ringer’ average of 61.24%.

He also had a new toy, a fancy Metal Detector that he enjoyed searching for that treasure on the beaches and in the parks all over the interior. Sometimes he did well, and sometimes....a pocket full of pop pull-tabs and bottle caps! It was always an adventure for him. Lee would accompany him on some of his treks and they’d enjoy a picnic lunch out in the open air.

Emil & Lee and the whole family enjoyed travels to visit both his family in Edmonton and Lee’s family in Calgary. They enjoyed a trip to Europe and visited with his cousins and families there. For a few years, they also, travelled south for a few weeks in winter.

Early in 2024 Emil’s health deteriorated somewhat and he was hospitalized in March for a couple weeks, returning home and doing quite well until fall 2024. Eventually he was hospitalized again in December, until he passed away on January 25.

Emil and Lee have always been grateful for the love and support of their children and grandchildren, especially in these last difficult months.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to:

The Doctors, Nurses and all Hospital Staff at the Shuswap Lake Hospital for their wisdom and compassionate care for Emil.

Pastor Lawrence and Lori, from The Broadview Evangelical Church, for their gracious support and prayers during these challenging times.  The encouragement and prayers of the JOY Fellowship Group and all friends and neighbours has also been deeply appreciated.

Bowers Funeral Home staff for their kindness and efficiency in everything. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to a charity of your choice.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bowers Funeral Service Chapel with a reception to follow in the Mountainside Room.