It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear father Elmer “Ed” Buder of Spences Bridge, BC, at age 98.

Ed left home in Ontario at age 14 via freight train. Around Amaranth, Manitoba he was hungry and needed a job. He found one at a fishing site on Lake Manitoba.

The following year he jumped another freight train, hunkered down in a boxcar until near Lethbridge, Alberta. Word got around that this kid was looking for a job, and so began Ed’s love for horses as the Bar U Ranch hired him.

A year and a bit later the west was calling again. By this time he had his own saddle horse and a pack horse.  Off he went through the Crowsnest Pass. A few stories were told of this trip!! He landed a job at the Guichon Ranch near Merritt.

Spring of 1942 Ed took a Greyhound Bus to Williams Lake. He soon found work on the Gang Ranch.  Spring of 1943, Ed enlisted in the army hoping he’d see parts of the world. Unfortunately for Ed, the war ended and he did not get overseas. Married life began with mining jobs at Blairmore and Canmore, Alberta.

However, ranching was in his blood and in 1951 the family moved to Upper Hat Creek, BC where Ed worked on the Meason Ranch. This ranch sold in 1953 and Ed moved over to the Mile 15 Ranch near Lillooet, BC working for Colonel Spencer. Then a ‘big’ job came up – the Seton Dam. The family moved to Moha, BC.

By June of 1955 the family moved back to Upper Hat Creek where Ed worked for Allan Cameron on the A4 Ranch. However, the children needed schooling so Ed bought his own acreage near Spences Bridge, BC in 1958. Over the years, Ed tried a bit of everything but in the end, and for 38 years, he made a living as a truck driver.  Later in life, Ed had his own truck and hauled a lot of hay and livestock. At age 79, (2004); he sold his truck (Cash On Delivery), and reluctantly retired to his beloved property just outside Spences Bridge on Hwy 8. He enjoyed his latter years with his adult children coming and going constantly. He had a few horses, a couple dogs, two trips to Ontario to visit relatives and the freedom to come and go as he pleased.

When Ed could no longer drive his daughter and son-in-law from Vernon took him in. Two weeks later the Atmospheric River hit the Nicola Valley and his property was hit extremely hard. Ed lost everything. He never returned.

Ed believed for many, many years that white bread, sugar and salt were the body’s enemies. He took handfuls of vitamins. He believed he’d live to be 100 but always stated “Nobody gets out of this world alive!” His humor was just under that thick skin and his favourite joke was, ‘What did the monkey say when he got his tail caught in the lawn mower?”  “It Won’t Be Long Now!”

Ed is survived by his sister Eileen Andrews of Pembroke, Ontario as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His daughters:  Edith Rubner (Keith Bridges); Kathy Hoch, Holly Westlund (Stewart); and son Stanley Buder (April). 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren

A memorial gathering will be held at the Old School/Community Center in Spences Bridge, BC (not Clemes Hall) on Monday June 26, 2023, at 2:00pm. Bring your stories.

From Roy, quote:

“Uncle finally got his horse and saddle and headed home”

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services.

• Date : 2023-06-01
• Location : Spences Bridge