KRAUS (PREVIOUSLY BALFOUR), Lorna Florence May – Kelowna Obituaries

Lorna Kraus (formerly Balfour, née Kirk) breathed her last on the morning of December 16, 2022 in Abbotsford BC, just a month before her 93rd birthday.

Born Lorna Kirk on January 22, 1930 in Unity, Saskatchewan, she grew up on a homestead near Dorintosh in northern Saskatchewan. Life demanded a lot from her in her early years. Lorna often had to operate with very little sleep, looked after her bedridden mother Edna, helped her father Lawrence with the never-ending chores on the farm, and did her candlelit schoolwork long after everyone else had gone to bed. She enjoyed playing sports (mainly softball, curling, waterskiing) and playing with her friends, her older sister Evelyn and younger brother Lawrence (“Sonny”).

Her ailing mother died when Lorna was just 17 years old. Soon after, Lorna made the decision to give up her dream of becoming a doctor and instead start a family of her own. In 1949, she became Lorna Balfour through 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 number of years before becoming a successful real estate agent in 1975. She and Ron enjoyed their family, friends and vacations abroad.

When her husband Ronald died in 1994, Lorna retired from Kelowna’s real estate business. She later remarried for a dozen years, traveled extensively, and volunteered with the local legion. Then in 2008 Lorna bought a beautiful condo for herself with a beautiful view of Okanagan Lake where she lived until 2018. She then moved to Penticton and enjoyed living in a seniors’ resort for three more years. Eventually, her ability to live independently diminished and Lorna moved to a foster home in Abbotsford, BC, closer to her son.

She valued family first. As such, she went to great lengths to make holidays and special occasions a time of gathering and celebration. She decorated her home beautifully every Christmas and the meals she prepared were always substantial and delicious.

As a mother and grandmother, she went above and beyond what those roles required. She continued to do whatever she could for her family, helping everyone in whatever way she could. In her real estate career, she worked tirelessly for her clients and received numerous awards and induction into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame for elite agents.

Lorna aspired to live life on her terms, determined and unflinching, always active and ambitious. She entertained the family with numerous stories from her early days working on the Saskatchewan farm in 40 below 40 degrees.

Predeceased 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 heartfelt thanks to all the caring staff at Oxford Senior Care Home.

No memorial service at Lorna’s request.