The family left Victoria and followed her Uncle Karl and Oma to the Kootenay’s when Petra was just a toddler, laying down roots in Skookumchuck. I recall her telling me how proud she was of her parents for building the farm she was raised on, “They built everything from scratch, two people that came from the big city of Munich Germany, moved to Canada and built a farm. My dad looked so good on his horse, and handled it like a real cowboy.”

Petra started her schooling at Wasa Elementary; this came with some challenges as the first language spoken in the family home was German. A quick study she overcame this barrier and settled in. From Wasa to Kimberley, at McKim middle school, and finishing her studies at Selkirk high school in true independent fashion, when her teacher refused to let her leave to use the washroom, she walked out and never went back.

Her employment started in the service industry, both cooking in kitchens as well as waitressing. She took great pride in knowing what her regular customers wanted and worked hard to give everyone the best service she could. The cooking experience gave her an opportunity to cook in many fire camps over the years, which through treating the pilots well got her several helicopter rides, good memories. From operating heavy equipment at the regional landfill, to cooking on the line when Denny’s opened in the Sandman, she did it all while taking care of everything in our home. She joined me to help run our contracting business in 2000 which she did until the end.

Petra and I met in 1991 and in January 1995 we were standing in the Pacific Ocean in Mexico swearing our vows in front of a judge. We were right where she loved it the most, a white sandy beach and the ocean. We often joked that we probably weren’t even married, as our paperwork was in Spanish with no translation, but it made no difference to us. From that day forward she created a cozy home for us, and because of her love for animals has seen several pets come and go. Curled up with a good book from her Stephen King collection, or watering her favorite red Geraniums and Nasturtiums, she was never far from home, other than for a fishing derby, and only if I promised no 14-hour marathon days on the water, and we always ended up bringing home a couple more rocks for the pond.

“Food is Love” she would always say to me, and there was never a shortage of food. Having family dinners was her favourite thing, the more the merrier, Thanksgiving being her most enjoyable holiday to prepare dinner for. When it came to new dishes that she created she would tell everyone “Come on just try it, you only live once.”

For those of you that really knew Petra, you know that she wore her heart on her sleeve, and behind that tough exterior there really was a soft side to her. Her straight to the point nothing buttered up attitude allowed you to know exactly where things stood at all times, and those with strong enough personalities to stick around had a devoted friend through the thick and thin.

To Kelly our daughter-in –law, Petra wanted me to thank you for being a good mom to our grandkids xoxoxo. A special thank you to Darryl and Nikki for all your extra help with our joint venture.

Petra was predeceased by our son Jake, her parents Johanna and Otto Auburger, mother in-law Bonnie Jacobsen, step father in-law Bill Jacobsen and father in-law Art Hummel.

She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 30 years Dean, grandchildren Sadie and Waylon, sister Angelika, brother in-law Darryl, sister in-law Nikki, many nieces, nephews and extended family.

“Farewell, until we meet again.”

At Petra’s request there will be no service. Those wishing to make a donation in Petra’s memory please consider the B.C. Lung Foundation. https://bclung.ca/donate/donate-in-honour-or-memory/

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