Bogdan (Bodo) Niedballa

Surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, Bogdan (Bodo) Marceli Niedballa was peacefully taken up to his eternal home on Holy Trinity Sunday, June 12, 2022.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gertrud, daughters Susanne and Christina, sons Thomas and Martin and Martin’s wife Mary and their daughter Amelia, as well as extended family in Germany.

Bodo was born in Torun, Poland on April 9, 1932. In 1949 he and his family moved to Germany where he completed his education and became a skilled typesetter. As an adventurous 26 year old, he emigrated to Canada in 1958 and obtained work at the Alaska Highway News in Fort St. John, BC. Bodo returned to Germany in 1960 to marry Gertrud, and together they moved to Canada.

After two years up North, they moved to Lillooet, BC where Bodo worked at the Bridge River Lillooet News for pioneering newspaperwoman Margaret “Ma” Murray.

In 1969 the family moved to Vernon, BC where Bodo worked as a linotype operator for Wayside Press until his retirement in 1997. Following retirement, he continued sharing his vast knowledge of the history of printing technology with visitors and school groups at the Wayside Press display in the Vernon Museum.

Bodo was dedicated in his involvement with St. James Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. During his term as Grand Knight, he and his council were instrumental in founding The Gateby Care Facility and Columbus Court.

We remember him for his steadfast faith, intelligence, thirst for knowledge, hard work, love of travel, sense of humour, kindness to others and giving soul. He was a devoted Husband, Dad, Opa and friend to many. He will be dearly missed.

A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 20th and the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21st at St. James Church (2607 – 27th Street, Vernon, BC).

Those wishing to do so may make donations in Bodo’s memory to Companions of the Cross (199 Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa, ON, V1Y 2G5,  www. companionsofthecross.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting www.vernonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Vernon Funeral Home.