Inger (Kallio) Hunter passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on May 8, 2008 at home, surrounded by family members.
Born Inger Hjelvik on July 6, 1915 in Vestnes, Norway to a family of 12 children, she came to Canada with her father and an older sister in 1928 and settled in Saskatchewan. Her father returned to Norway with plans to emigrate with the rest of his family; when he was unable to do so, Inger and her sister resided with relatives until going out on their own.
Inger met and married Olie Kallio (the love of her life) and later they and their four children moved to BC, settling in Oliver. In 1945, Inger and Olie traveled through Salmon Arm and bought the old “Sam McGuire” house on what used to be called Harris Street (now known as 2nd Avenue NE), and moved their family to their new home.
Inger was widowed with Olie’s passing in 1966 and was remarried in 1970 to a long-time friend and resident of Salmon Arm, William (Bill) G. Hunter (also now deceased). On her own again, Inger moved to her own little home, where she stayed until May, 2007 when she moved to live with her daughter Patricia Corbett.
Inger was a thoughtful, giving and wonderful lady, mother and grandmother who loved life, her family and friends. She also had a love of flowers and gardening. Her yard was always a lovely showcase of colours until she suffered a stroke in 2003, and had to resort to using a wheel chair. Prior to her stroke, Inger was very active and made many friends in bowling, lawn bowling and playing cribbage. She led through example and taught us all to be kind, honest and true. Her strength of character has been an inspiration to all of us.
We will all have Inger in our hearts forever and we wish her a “Bon Voyage” on her journey to meet and greet her loved ones who have gone before her.
Inger is predeceased by husbands Olie Kallio and Bill Hunter, baby daughter Sharlene Kallio; granddaughter Angel Michelle Collins; parents Peder and Ingeborg Hjelvik; brothers Karl, Christian and Ivar, sisters Astrid, Marie and Palma; son-in-law Dennis J. Rodwell.
Inger is survived by sisters Anna, Lily, Solveigh, Helge, brother Peder, many nieces and nephews and their families, all of Norway; son Lloyd (Kris) Kallio of Ontario, daughters Elsie Rodwell, Norma (Verne) Koebel, Patricia Corbett, ‘adopted’ daughter Hanne deDood, all of Salmon Arm. Inger also has many surviving nieces and nephews and their families across Canada.
Surviving grandchildren (BC): Steven (Sherry) Lewis and children Suzanne, Branden and Sharlette; Sharon (Gary) Arsenault and children Jesse, Adam, Shane and Dustin; Randy (Phyllis) Streilein and children David, Dawn, Michael, DJ, Joey, Robert, Chrysta; Laurie Fraser and children Duncan and Brennan; Rhonda Corbett and daughter Lesli; Neil Corbett and children Tyler and Jillian; Curtis (Colleen) Corbett and children Karie and Samantha.
Surviving grandchildren (Ontario): Laila (Randall Jenkins) Stamper-Jenkins and daughter Karly; Karn Kallio; Kora-Lea Kallio; Kama-Lana Kallio; Karl Kallio.
Arrangements are in care of Bowers Funeral Home and Crematorium. A private service for immediate family members only will take place the week following Inger’s death. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 6, 2008 - which would have been Inger’s 93rd birthday - at daughter Patricia Corbett’s home where Inger last lived. Celebration of Life details will be announced and published closer to that date for all family, friends and caregivers who wish to attend.
Condolences may be sent to
sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com