“Space, the final frontier…”

Brian Walter Volkers, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021, at the QEII Hospital in Grande Prairie, at the age of 69 years.

Brian was born at a young age in Dauphin, MB, on April 22, 1951, to Wim and Norma Volkers. He grew up (relatively) on the family farm with his brother Jerry and sister Linda. As an adult, he moved to the west, becoming a Journeyman Glazier, Carpenter and a jack-of-all trades. He married Tora Larsen in 1980, and settled in Grande Prairie to raise their two daughters.

Brian was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman and comedian extraordinaire. He loved to travel, read, play cards, be with his family, but most of all to laugh. Brian was the ultimate jokester and would go out of his way to make a person smile. He was strong and gentle, fierce and funny, quick witted and kind.

He was a ham radio operator, VE6 VC, for years, and had friends worldwide, and was the 1^st winner of the CQ Worldwide 160 Ham Radio Competition in 1984. He enjoyed building projects, Toblerone chocolate bars, and in his later years became an avid baker.

Brian will be sadly missed by his wife, Tora Ellen Volkers (nee Larsen); "Mum" Joyce Volkers; children: Marissa Dawn Volkers and Tekla Marie Volkers; grandchildren: Griffin Alexander Volkers (19), Mackenzie Ellen Jane Wilson (18), Sadie Ellen Marie Volkers (18), Wim Michael Volkers (17), Ryder James Fryer (9), Aurora Danielle Briere Wilson (5) and Madison Wilson; sister Linda Volkers; brother Jerry (Laurel) Volkers and their two daughters; Caroline (Jason) Winship and 4 children, and Charlotte (Lucas) Plett and 4 children; numerous cousins worldwide; as well his puppies Buddy and Princess.

“To assume only makes an ass out of you and me.”

“Measure twice, cut once.”

“If you can’t laugh at yourself, don’t worry, someone else will.”

The family would like to thank the QEII Hospital staff, especially the nurses on the 5^th floor.

He was predeceased by his father Wim Volkers and mother Norma Pearl Volkers (nee Chapple).

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private, invitation-only Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 29, 2021, at 2:22pm at Oliver’s Funeral Home.

A Livestream will be available to view on Brian’s obituary page on the Oliver’s Funeral Home website at the time of the service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lung Association – Alberta and NWT Division

(Box 4500 Stn South, Edmonton, AB, T6E 6K2), or to Heart and Stroke of Alberta (144, 5241 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB, T6H 5G8).