Lorna Kraus (previously Balfour, née Kirk) took her last breath on the morning of December 16, 2022 in Abbotsford BC, just one month shy of her 93rd birthday.
Born as Lorna Kirk on January 22nd 1930 in Unity, Saskatchewan, she grew up on a homestead near Dorintosh in Northern Saskatchewan. Life demanded much of her in her early years. Lorna often operated on very little sleep, caring for her bedridden mother Edna, helping her father Lawrence with the perpetual farm chores and doing her schoolwork by candlelight long after everyone else had gone to bed. She enjoyed playing sports (primarily softball, curling, waterskiing) and playing with her friends, her older sister Evelyn and younger brother Lawrence (“Sonny”).
Her ailing mom died when Lorna was just 17. Soon after, Lorna then made a decision to let go of her dream to become a medical doctor and, instead, started a family of her own. In 1949, she became Lorna Balfour with her marriage to Ronald Balfour. They took over his parents’ farm in Meadow Lake and had four children: Rona, Terry, Dell and Kirk. Then in 1969, after much deliberation, Lorna and Ron decided to sell their farm and move to Kelowna. She worked in a doctor’s office for a few years before becoming a successful Real Estate Agent in 1975. She and Ron enjoyed their family, friends and holidays abroad.
When her husband Ronald passed away in ’94, Lorna retired from Kelowna’s real estate industry. She later re-married for a dozen years, traveled extensively and volunteered with the local Legion. Then 2008, Lorna bought a lovely condo for herself with a nice view of Okanagan Lake, residing there until 2018. Then she relocated to Penticton and enjoyed living in a seniors retirement resort for 3 more years. Eventually her ability to live independently diminished and Lorna moved to a care home in Abbotsford, BC, closer to her son.
She valued family first and foremost. Thus, she went to great lengths to make holidays and special occasions a time to gather and celebrate. She decorated her home beautifully every year for Christmas and the meals she prepared were always extensive and delicious.
As a mother and grandmother, she went far and above what those roles demanded. She continued to do everything she could for her family, helping each person in whatever manner she could. In her real estate profession, she worked tirelessly for her clients, earning countless awards and induction into the RE/MAX hall of fame for elite agents.
Lorna strove to live life on her terms, resolute and unwavering, always active and ambitious. She regaled the family with numerous stories of her early days working the Saskatchewan farm in 40 below weather.
Pre-deceased by her husband Ronald Balfour, her brothers Lawrence “Sonny” Kirk and James “Jimmy” Kirk, her parents Lawrence Kirk and Edna Kirk (née Alexander).
Survived by her sister Evelyn Janus, her half siblings: Larry Kirk, Linda Kirby and Dale Kirk, her 4 children: Rona Flynn (John), Terry Balfour, Dell Balfour and Kirk Balfour; 5 grandchildren: Jesse, Kathy, Justin, Stephanie and Quinn and 9 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all the caring staff at the Oxford Senior Care Home.
No funeral service at Lorna’s request.
