Obituary of Lenora Jeffels

Lenora Mae Jeffels (nee Sharuga) of Victoria, formerly of Camrose, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017 at the age of 79 years. Lenora grew up in the Bawlf / Daysland / Camrose area on the farm and working with her parents helping to run the general store. She graduated with a Teaching Certificate from the University of Alberta and was teaching school by the age of 18. After moving to Edmonton, she began working for Imperial Oil where she worked for 30 plus years. She also began dancing along with her parents at a young age at the "Old Timer's" dances and ballroom dancing (in particular, salsa) became her greatest life-long passion. She took classes and advanced through many levels of certification and danced her way around the world on many ballroom dance cruises. She was always the "belle of the ball" with everyone wanting to be her dance partner. She was also very physically active in outdoor sports, belonging to the ski clubs, hiking clubs and later in life (after 45 yrs of age), she began to run marathons. She competed in the "Corporate Mile" races for Imperial Oil, ran the Banff-Jasper Relay Marathon for several years in a row, the Hawaii Marathon and many other races over the years. She encouraged her children (and grandchildren) to enjoy outdoor activities, taking them on a family camping trip almost every summer for many of the years of their childhoods. She loved travelling and visited many places all around the world, including backpacking through the Amazon Jungle. She will be missed by Bertha who was her good friend and travel buddy for many adventures. Although she lived in Edmonton and Calgary for most of her adult life, her final years were mostly spent on Vancouver Island in Victoria, BC. She lived life to the fullest to the best she could and was a very independent woman. Left to cherish her memory are her children Laurel Bowes of Victoria, Deanne Bowes of Calgary, and Rob Jeffels (Wendy Attrill) of Strathmore; five grandchildren Ryley Wasylciw, Dustin Wasylciw, Jared Jeffels, Janelle Bowes-Simmons, and Linelle Bowes; and brothers Larry (Gloria) Sharuga of Camrose, and Tim (Anita) Sharuga of Leduc. Lenora was predeceased by her parents John and Pearl Sharuga. A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 25, 2017 from the Burgar Memorial Chapel with Rev. Brian Hunter officiating. If family and friends so desire, memorial contribution are gratefully accepted to the charity of one's choice.