Jessie June Prost
July 8, 1932 - February 24, 2026
In Loving Memory
Jessie June Prost
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother Jessie June Prost (née Koerner) of Armstrong, BC.
She passed quietly in her own home on Tuesday, Feb 24th. She was healthy and happy and free of pain. She was already looking at seed catalogues for this year’s garden.
Jessie was born at home with a midwife, on July 8, 1932, in Wandering River, Alberta, the first of 6 children. Jessie married the love of her life, Louis Prost in 1951 and they spent 64 years together before Louis passed away in 2015. They spent the beginning of their married life in Amisk, Alberta on a large farm raising grain, dairy cows and the first 9 children. They moved to Chilliwack in 1973 where they welcomed the birth of their best and final baby Tina (who wrote this). In Chilliwack Mom worked at DW King doing alterations and later they owned and ran Valley Bernina Sewing Centre where Jessie taught sewing lessons and also did sewing and alterations, creating many wedding dresses and complete suits for the grooms as well. Jessie joined the CWL and started a Beaver Scout Colony, the little ones loved calling her Rainbow. They moved to Armstrong in 1988 and became an active part of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Jessie was a CWL member and also served as a president of the CWL and as a coordinator of the St. Joseph’s food booth at the IPE. She provided the denim material and helped craft the aprons for the Knights of Columbus and Parish that are still in use today. She also made the white sashes that are used by the CWL. She was a member of the Armstrong Garden Club for many years, and had a bed in the community garden after she sold her house with the large garden on Patterson St.
Jessie said that her greatest work was raising her kids. Jessie and Louis had 10 children, 32 grandchildren and 50.5 great grandchildren at this date. She sewed her kids clothes, planted and harvested a huge garden to feed her kids and always fed us nourishing meals with a liberal measure of garlic. In the last years she didn’t sew as much but knitted sweaters for many of her great grandchildren, over 30 sweaters completed and sent out.
Jessie is predeceased by her parents Jesse and Junia Koerner; husband Louis; son Jim (survived by wife Connie); 2 grandsons, Jay (survived by wife Mel), Adam (survived by wife Michelle); and daughter in law Angela (survived by Peter).
She is survived by her children Tim (Shirley), Jane, Nancy (Al Bykowsky), John, Rose (Rod Kalin), Jack, June (John Fryers), Peter and Tina (Dave Rebmann); 30 grandchildren, and 50 (and counting) great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Alice, Judy, Tillie, Duane and Linda (Ron); brother-in-law Bernard (Deanna) Prost, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mom was always a healthy eater and can be credited for Dad’s long life. In addition to the garlic, we children ate comfrey and dandelions in our salad and drank tigers milk (a blended concoction of milk, molasses, and brewers yeast). Her favorite colour was red, she NEVER turned down ice cream and loved her flowers, especially her roses and lilies.
In lieu of flowers, donations under the Prost name can be made towards dementia care at alzheimer.ca or to the Canadian Mental Health Association at cmha.ca
Final prayers will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3335 Patterson St. Armstrong, BC, at 7 pm, Tuesday, March 10. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Wednesday, March 11 at 2 pm followed by a reception in the hall.
If you are unable to attend the Prayer Service or Mass of Christian Burial in person, there will be a livestream available to watch here: https://livestream.cypressfuneral.ca/
Arrangements entrusted to
Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237
Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services:
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Comments: 14
So proud of my sister Jessie and so saddened by her passing. She was the glue that held her siblings together.I am so thankful for our sibling reunions. My heart goes out to her beautiful family she was so proud of . Love and hugs from my family Pat and Erick, Brian and Linda, Barb and Dave and all their families.🫶
Dear Prost Family,
Louis and Jessie had built their house, they invited us over to see it and the garden. We talked, had tea but the best part was the garden tour. We went home with Calendula plants and a few trees! What a generous and kind person she was with lots of knowledge to share.
We are sorry for your loss, Rose, Nancy, Peter and all your family. We loved all the pictures of Jessie and you all! She would be proud as always of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. God’s peace in this time of sorrow!
Maureen and Randy
We are saddened to hear of Jesse’s passing. She lived a beautiful full life. Keep your memories close to your hearts. Our deepest sympathy to all the family.
Condolences to all of Jessie’s family. She was such a lovely lady and always made me feel welcome. She was so talented and ready to share her many skills. She will be missed. God Bless you all. Nora Fulop (Rose & Rod’s neighbour)
My deepest condlences to the entire famiy. Aunite Jessie was one of a knid and I will remember her fondly. She was always so happy to see us. I have many fond memories of the time we all spent together on the farm when we were young. She will be missed dearly.
We are saddened to hear of Jessie’s passing. We many good visits over the years
Our Sincere & Condolences to all of her family.
Gerry & Merelynn Charlebois
What a lovely tribute to your mother! I didn’t see Jesse often, but I feel like I knew her mostly through conversations with my parents. I know that Mom and Dad really valued your parents’ friendship.
What a beautiful photo of Jesse with her lilies.
You have my deepest condolences.
Marilyn Tichkowsky
We had so many good visits with Jessie. Our Sincere Condolences & Sympathy to all of Jessie’s family
Gerry & Merelynn Charlebois
We are very sorry to hear of Jessie’s passing. Such a wonderful , caring, loving , happy , genuine lady!! The community has lost a treasure . Our condolences to all her family.
Our deepest sympathy to all the Prost Family. Louis and Jesse were a very special couple. We had great times, great visits and great meals .Love to you all.
Sending our love and deep
condolences to all who knew and loved Auntie Jessie. She was special lady and although our visits weren’t many, I have some found memories. One of those memories is at a family reunion a couple years ago where we had some time for the two of us to sit and visit. She was always so lovely and enjoyed to hear about my life and the kids. During this sad time my hope is everyone can hold all their cherished memories of her close to their hearts. Live your life Auntie, share a smile, & get outdoors and enjoy your gardens this summer. I will remember her as a happy, genuine person who loved her gardens & all the flowers.
Our condolences in the loss of an amazing lady. She was a great example of friendship , motherhood and leadership in our community . Her smiling face will missed by all who knew her, how wonderful that she is at peace. Bless the hearts of those who mourn her, your in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person and a great friend to my mom Alma Houchen. They will be in heaven laughing again together. My heart goes out to your whole family.Love Margaret and the Houchen family
Jessie was a very special lady. I’m grateful we met when she stopped in once a few years ago when she and a family member were passing through the Cariboo area. She was related to my family from the Gibbs side.
My sincere condolences to all of you in her family. She lived such a long and fruitful life, but it’s still so hard to lose the ones we love.🙏🩷❤️
Shirley Gibbs Aschwanden