I met Irene and part of her family: husband Erhard Dallmann and daughter Monalei Dallmann at Whatshan Lake Retreat when they attended yearly Music Festivals, every second weekend in July, upon an invitation from Florence (Morozoff) Markin, the wife of Irene’s relative Andrew Markin.

The family would get enthused with the music and were often seen dancing on the grass in front of the stage. This would encourage others to join in the fun.

Irene found that the founding society, Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999, that operated Whatshan Lake Retreat, was the type of philosophy that she approved and so she made financial donations to support the operation which was much appreciated.

This is an obituary notice regarding her passing May 29, 2019

“…..Irene (Filatoff) Dallmann

MAY 30, 1941 ~ MAY 29, 2019 (AGE 77)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, wife, and Grandma/Baba/Oma, Irene Dallmann, of Creston, BC. Irene was born in Coaldale, AB, raised in Carseland, AB, graduated from Carseland High School and later pursued an education at Mount Royal College, Calgary, AB where she studied child psychology and social work. On June 10, 1961, Irene married Erhard Dallmann and together they had 4 children. The family moved from Calgary to Valleyview and At High Prairie she took nursing and graduated as LPN, afterwards working at Valleyview Hospital. In 2005 Irene and Erhard moved to Creston, BC.

Irene lived life to the fullest and pursued many hobbies and volunteer activities in the community – she loved ballroom dancing, fishing, boating, did hand-colouring of black and white photographs, hat millinery and resin art. She was musically talented and played multiple instruments including lead guitar, classical piano and accordion. She generously gave her time to many service organizations in Creston, including the Lion’s club, Rotacrest senior’s society (Pancake Breakfast), Heide club dances and event décor for Octoberfest social dances.

Predeceasing Irene are her parents George and Lillian Filatoff, in-laws Herta and Albert Dallmann, and son Murray Dallmann. She is survived by her husband Erhard Dallmann, children Monalei, Jeffrey (Sandra) Dallmann, Michael (Renee) Dallmann, Granddaughters Tamara (Josh) and Tyneal Great-Grandchildren, Brother Lorne (Sylvia) Filatoff and Sister Marie (Harvey) Larsen and many other extended loving family.

A service for Irene was held Monday, June 3 at 10 am, at the G. F. Oliver Funeral Chapel, Creston, BC. A graveside service will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Creston Doukhobour Society, #306 800 Cavell St, Creston, BC V0B1G4…..”

I would have like to know Irene better but my personal involvement in volunteering at the festival did not permit me much time to visit with them and so this tribute is to honor her.

At the time of the funeral, I provided my regrets to Monalei as my medical condition was such that travel to Creston was not possible.

Let Irene rest in Peace where she will not suffer from the sickness that took her life.

Posted June 29, 2019 by Elmer Verigin.

This post to be read along with my blog  “A Tribute o Alex Ewashen”

IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV – OneDrive

Source: IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV – OneDrive

Alex Ewashen (February 21, 1032 – May 20, 2019)

My health complications made it impractical to attend Alex’s Funeral and so these notes will demonstrate the manner in which I knew Alex and his family.

Alex was a member of the Canadian Doukhobor Society, one of the three parent registered parent Doukhobor Societies operating predominately in British Columbia. In the most recent years, his brothers Robert and Larry, lived with their families in Creston, B.C.

No matter what Doukhobor event was taking place in Western Canada, I would find Alex in attendance as an active participant.

When the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) was considering development of their Lands at Whatshan Lake, B.C., I asked JJ Verigin Jr., representing, the Union f Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC), Alex Wishlow and the Ewashen Brothers, representing the Canadian Doukhobor Society (CDS) and representatives of the Freedomite Community, Bill Makortoff and Steve Lapshinoff. in the Summer of 2005, as to the philosophy and operations terms of reference, that would be acceptable to all Doukhobors. It was unanimously agreed that the resulting construction and site would welcome people from any Doukhobor background as well as all our neighbours.

The site would not be designated religious and permit any reasonable event to take place as long as it was peaceful and in good taste.

By and large, these dedicated people participated in the resulting development with Alex Ewashen donating 125 chairs to the Retreat Center. Alex and Julie also attended almost all the Music Festivals including the last one in July 2018 where Alex asked me to dance:

See post on Word Press file ; IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV-One Drive dated Tuesday June 18, 2019. (this is the only way I was able to get it into Word Press with my limited expertise)

This video has more of an explanation of Alex than I can in words. This was only last year in July 2018. I was ‘acting up’ and Alex just walked up to me, tapped me on the shoulder with his cane and said “can I have this dance with you?”

Dance we did. What a memory of Alex and his sense of humour.

At another music Festival, it appeared that the society may have difficulty breaking even. So it was decided that we would shave Elmer Verigin’s head if enough money could be raised. And so the band offered a fiddle and a guitar and started playing as a hat was passed around. Alex contributed well over $300 as the total was about $700 and the event was able to be profitable.

Whatshan was not the only organization where I was able to share experiences and discussions with Alex and Julie.

Alex joined the ad hoc Doukhobor Choir (about 60 members) that travelled t Veregin, Saskatchewan in July 0f 2017 to celebrate the centennial of the construction of the original Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB) offices completed when CCUB was incorporated in 1917 and registered in the Province of Saskatchewan, main office in Veregin Saskatchewan. This was a great opportunity for Doukhobors across the four Western Provinces to visit and celebrate together. Alex and Julie took the opportunity of touring the original villages built from 1900 through to 1919, on buses with the excellent narration of Jonathan Kalmakoff, local historian.

Alex read my blog religiously and offered many constructive comments

Under construction June 07, 2019 Elmer Verigin

I emended this blog at 1350 hours, Tuesday June 18, 2019. This blog needs o be read with a blog entry of this date and named IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV-One Drive.

My Cancer Journey Part V is best read after browsing through the following previous blogs:

• So Now I Know What It Feels Like To Have A Diagnosis of Cancer, followed by
• My Cancer Part II
• My Cancer Journey Part III
• My cancer Journey Part IV
• My Cancer Journey Part V

Enjoy!

I need to preface this current blog entry along with the (5) previous entries, with a precautionary statement:

“Nothing in these blogs suggest that I am speaking from a position of medical professionalism. I am sharing my experience so that anyone who may read these blogs, can be informed and be reassured that Bladder Cancer can be controlled and likely cured!

Part VI of my Cancer Recovery will cover the time from the time, July 26, 2019, to the current day, August 28, 2019

Here is the update:

1. The trip to Grimshaw was fine and we enjoyed the wedding. The Nurses at Peace River Hospital changed my bandages two (2) times until I returned to Castlegar August 06, 2019.
2. My pump was removed August 23, 2019 as the wound had healed to the surface of the skin
3. Today, August 28, 2019, was my last inspection by a Nurse
4. I had my first shower since March 20, 2019

I am now considered a healthy man?

I am most thankful to the people who prayed for me and gave me positive thoughts throughout this entire process.

Thank you all!

Posted August 28, 2019 at 1000 hours