Tribute

Florence Lorraine Teigen passed away peacefully on November 30, 2024, at Sunnybank in Oliver, BC, at the age of 97 years.

She was born November 3, 1927 to Peter and Matilda Lushenko in McLean County, North Dakota the youngest of seven children, one of whom died in infancy. At the age of six years, both her parents died within a few weeks of each other.  She was raised by her eldest sister and her husband, and considered them as her parents.

Music was a big part of her family growing up and she sang duets or trios with her nieces. She also sang in choirs and in later years loved being a part of the Yuletide Singers.

At about the age of twelve years, in special meetings, she gave her heart to the Lord and was assured of her salvation.  She became interested in missions and realized she needed Bible training. She decided to attend Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, AB, and graduated after four years.  Her desire to serve overseas was not fulfilled, but after graduation, she went to Castlegar, BC to work in Doukhobor evangelism.  In the fall, she moved to Grand Forks, BC, where there was full-time work with an outreach to Russian folk.

It was here she met a young man, Bill Strilaiff, who wanted a Russian Bible.  They visited often and by the fall of 1951 were falling in love.  Bill realized his prayers for a Christian wife were being answered.  They were married on September 5, 1952 in North Dakota, and settled in Oliver, BC.

In March, 1959, they were surprisedly blessed with not just one baby, but two – Cheryl and Donald, born five days apart.  In January 1961, they welcomed their 3^rd child, Lenore.

Florence helped Bill in the orchard.  After selling the orchard, she went to work in the packing house.  In the early 1970’s, she was able to gain employment as a teacher’s aide and other roles in the school system until her retirement in 1992.

Bill passed away in December 1991, just 4 days short of his 73rd birthday.  A few years later, through a matchmaking friend, she became friends with Ole Teigen.  They were married in December 1994 and the family was happy she was no longer alone.  God gave them twelve years together until Ole passed away in 2007.

In 2012 she moved into the Kiwanis housing for about five years, then into Heritage House, and in 2021, into Sunnybank.

Florence was predeceased by Bill and Ole, her parents and her four brothers and two sisters. Treasuring her memory are: daughter Cheryl (Jim) Kliever and their children Courtney and Bevan (Michaela) and great-grandsons Chet and Beau; son Don (Sandi) Strilaiff and their children Jordan, Dustin (Julie-Ann) and great-grandchildren Sophia, Logan, and Lacey, and Megan (Matt) Hirch and great-grandsons Lucas, Sullivan, Theo, and Zeke; and daughter Lenore Sage and her children Kenny and Nellinda.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday December 4^th at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm, Wednesday December 4^th the Oliver Alliance Church. A reception will follow in the Oliver Alliance Church Welcome Area.

A video of Florence’s Service can be watched by following the link below:
In Memory of Florence Teigen