December 24, 2018
Bernd Paul Boehmke passed away December 24, 2018 after a lengthy (16 year) struggle with cancer. It was a peaceful ending to a difficult time, a beautiful snowy night with his favorite German Christmas Carols playing softly in the background as he left this realm into the next.
Bernd was born 1943 in Berlin, Germany during the chaos of World War 2. His family moved from East Berlin to the West just before the closing of the Berlin wall. Bernd leaves behind a son (Michael Boehmke) from his first marriage, and another step-son (Michael Paine) and daughter (Aimee Boehmke) from his second marriage.
Bernd was a self-employed plumber/pipe fitter. He built two homes in the Kootenays doing most of the construction himself, one in Bonnington and the other at the South Slocan junction where he was residing until his death. Bernd loved gardening and flowers. His property was always immaculate. Even when he was very frail from his illness, he would still go out every day and work on his yard, passing his passion onto his daughter who joined him whenever she could.
During the palliative stage, Bernd wanted to live his life as normal as possible and kept doing the things he always did. The weekend before he passed he baked his son-in-law's favourite German streusel. He had put up all his outside Christmas decorations and lights as he always had in previous years. He grew beautiful Christmas Amaryllis that came into bloom just as he entered the hospital, which were then placed on his windowsill for him to enjoy in his last couple of days. He never let his illness interfere with his life until the very end.
Bernd will be sadly missed by his children, Michael (Micha) Boehmke (Sabrina), Michael Paine (Sara), Aimee Boehmke-Watts (Jesse), his granddaughter Lucy Boehmke, sister, Brigitta (Gitta), niece Alexandra, good friends Wolf and Chrystal in Berlin, and his constant companion, his cat Prince.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the care Bernd received from all the medical staff especially Dr. Malpass and Dr. Murray. There will be a private family celebration of life later this year.
"It takes love to hold on when you want to let go. It takes love to let go when you want to hold on"