MILNTHORP - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Chris Milnthorp, late of Battleford, on Thursday, December 26, 2013, three days before her 75th birthday. Chris leaves behind to forever cherish her memory her loving husband of 27 years, Jack; their children: Shelly (Alan) Laughlin: Patrick and Gwendolyn; Bruce (Brenda) Betnar: Bret, Chrissy (Robert) - Nevaeh, and Jerry (Carla) - Kira; Patty Milnthorp (Ray Fitzsimmons): Kasey (Cam), Mallory (Matt), and Tonye; Barb (Zane) Saul: Brandon and Zakary; brothers-in-law Gabe Henrich: Louis, Ken (Penny) Milnthorp, and Jim (Marion) Milnthorp; sisters-in-law Kathleen (Marty) Martell and Marian (Lorne) Harrison; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Christiaan and Frieda, and sister Elsie. Service of Remembrance was held on Friday, January 3 from the Chapel of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home with Mrs. Joyce Salie officiating. Interment will take place in the Spring of 2014 at the Town of Battleford Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in Chris's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the BUH Foundation for Palliative Care, PO Box 1358, North Battleford, SK S9A 3L8. The family has placed their trust with Kristeen Thiessen and the staff of Sallows & McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home. (306) 445-2418 Eulogy by Alan Laughlin Christina "Chris" Martha Bosker was born on December 29, 1938 in Biggar, Saskatchewan. Her parents Christiaan and Frieda (Kolberg) Bosker farmed in the Valley Center district and so it was that Chris and her older sister Elsie were raised there. For her elementary education she attended a country school in the Valley Centre area. She completed her GED 12 years later and was very proud of that accomplishment. Chris was a first generation Canadian, her father having immigrated from the Netherlands and her mother from the US. Chris accompanied her father to Holland and later returned to Holland with her husband. She maintained contact with her Dutch cousin. In May of 1986 she married Jack Milnthorp. Although neither of the Milnthorp girls nor the Betnar kids was living at home then, a blended family was created. Grandma Chris was always interested and involved in her family and enjoyed each one of them. Chris was a people person. When she became ill and had to discontinue working at Wal-Mart, she would say how much she missed being in town. I asked her once in a joking manner if it was the work, the money, or the people that she missed, she quickly said with emphasis "The people!" She would lament about sitting day in and day out at the acreage with no one around and nothing to do but watch TV and do handwork. She loved TV and she loved handwork but even more than that she enjoyed being with people. Chris's employment journey attests to her outgoing nature. As a young woman Chris moved from community to community due to family employment so she spent her time raising Shelly and Bruce. She did however work for a Co-op and sell Tupperware and Avon. Selling Avon was the opening of her entrepreneurial side. After selling for a while she became the district manager for Avon. Her district was large and her sales staff many. Her ability to carry out the policies of Avon was rewarded with several awards. Subsequently she became part of P & C Holdings, and that led to being the co-owner of the St. Gregor Hotel in St. Gregor. A move to North Battleford found her purchasing the Hitching Post Motel, which she operated for a few years. Later she worked at Turner Warwick Publishing, the Battlefords and District Co-op, and managed Canada Post when it was in the Co-op. Not one to sit down and do nothing, she became part of CJM Holdings though which she operated the Highway 16 bypass Petro-Can and then the Petro-Can at Innisfree, Alberta. Petro-Can was a big job so eventually she and Jack semi-retired by buying a travelling business selling fishing and camping supplies to resorts and outfitters. Chris enjoyed Travelling; she enjoyed fishing and camping, so this was a natural fit. Finally she became an associate at Wal-Mart where she was able to stay in contact with the many friends and acquaintances that she had made throughout the years. Deteriorating health finally caused her to discontinue working. Chris was not one to be at loose ends. Her little hands were made just right for knitting and crocheting. Jack would drive and she would do her handwork. They would watch TV or sports and Chris would be making something for someone. Today many of us are wearing sweaters that she made as gifts over the years. If it wasn't knitting or crocheting, it was embroidery and especially liquid embroidery. She owned a knitting machine but she said by the time she got the thing all threaded and ready to go she could have the job done by hand! Apparently Chris played the accordion but few of us were ever able to enjoy the show. After Jack and Chris moved to the acreage they acquired a zoo full of animals and although always said that Jack wanted the animals, she kept us up to date of the status of each one and made sure that they were always alright. She enjoyed their dogs Spook, Spike 1, Buddy, and finally Spike 2. Chris enjoyed gardening and enjoyed sharing vegetables with friends and family. She particularly had a thing for cucumbers. She enjoyed travelling and camping in their motor home. Dorintosh and Waterhen Lake were among her favourite spots. In earlier years, she was a member of the Royal Purple and in later years she and Jack were members of the Grand Squares Dance Club and the Good Sams organization. Chris's life was a busy life. Unfortunately a few years ago she was diagnosed with cancer. With determination she faced this new challenge. Surgery, chemotherapy, a second round of chemotherapy, and a third round of chemotherapy followed by yet another approach was not enough to win the battle. Chris was tried and ready to go so on Thursday December 26, 2013 at almost midnight, she accepted God's call and passed away. Now she rests in eternal peace.
