Christopher George Jenkins, aged 44, passed away at his home in Rosalia, Washington, on Monday, December 26, 2011, after an apparent heart attack. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012, at 12 noon at the Rosalia Methodist Church.
Christopher was born on April 12, 1967, at Nova Scotia, Canada, to Patrick and Judith (Smith) Jenkins. His father was in the military so the family moved quite a bit when he was little and Christopher grew up in Nova Scotia, Italy, Edmonton and finally settled in the Abbotsford area along the western coast of Canada where he graduated from high school. He served in the Canadian military for two years. Christopher had been welding since he was 13 years old and he completed a technical school and was certified as an expert welder. He married Kelly Sudermann and the couple made their home in the Abbotsford area where they raised their two daughters. At the time of his death Christopher had been working as a welding supervisor in Grand Forks, B.C. for UNIFAB Industries. He met Erin Braun who lived at Rosalia, Washington through mutual friends of theirs. The couple corresponded frequently by e-mail and over the telephone. Their friendship developed and on September 25, 2010, they married in Cologne, B.C. Chris would work in Grand Forks during the week and then spend weekends in Rosalia with Erin and her two children. He loved to surprise her occasionally by making the three-hour drive unexpectedly and knocking on her door. He had a terrific sense of humor. Chris loved going to the gym and until recently he was an amateur body builder. He liked spending time with friends and loved working as a welder.
He is survived by his wife, Erin, at home in Rosalia, Washington; four children: Megan Sudermann of Surrey, B.C., Maranda Sudermann of Abbotsford, B.C., Zayne and Soren Braun both of Rosalia; his mother, Judith Jenkins of Grand Forks, B.C.; and two sisters, Nadine and Sandy both of British Columbia. He was preceded in death by his father. The family has established the Chris Jenkins Memorial Fund at the Bank of Fairfield in Rosalia and would prefer donations there in lieu of flowers. On-line condolences may be left at www.bruningfuneralhome.com. Bruning