Tribute

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rodney Lawson Yewell, age 78, on Jan. 4, 2026, at his home in Abbotsford B.C.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who loved and appreciated his blended families. He had a big heart and was always willing to lend a hand to his children, parents, siblings, relatives, and many friends. He had a great sense of humour and delighted in a good joke, good card game and good company. He was a wonderful storyteller and an attentive listener. He will be greatly missed.

Rod was born in June 1947, in Olds, Alberta, to Don and Irene Yewell, who farmed a quarter section near the Little Red Deer River. Rod had fun swimming in the summer and skating in the winter with his friends and cousins. He often reminded his own children of his two and one-half mile walks to a one room school, over the frozen fields. An only child until age fourteen, his world was rocked a little when, in 1962, baby sister Kathy arrived.

The family eventually moved to Mount Lehman, BC, in 1964, and Rod graduated from Abby Senior in 1965. That same year, to his surprise, he gained another sibling, Wesley.

After grade thirteen, he set off by boat, from Port Coquitlam’s Wild Duck Inn, to complete a logging course at Pitt Lake. He decided against becoming a chockerman and instead moved into a basement suite in Burnaby, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics at SFU. He began his career as a loans officer with Avco Financial company, at various BC locations, but did not enjoy tracking down loan defaulters.

Eventually Rod returned to Abbotsford and began helping the Peter Funk family to establish and manage Golden Valley Processors. Later he became a managing director for Fraser Valley Farms. He and Alice Funk, his first wife, were married in 1974 and resided first in Matsqui Village and then in the Sandy Hill area of Abbotsford. They welcomed their first born, Ryan, in 1977, Marianne in 1978, Carolyn in 1981 and Peter in 1984. In 1995, Rod and Alice parted ways and Rod began a new chapter in his life.  He stayed actively involved with his children, as they became adults and began their own lives.

In the 1990’s, he worked for Murphy and Wakefield Ltd. and, following that, became a manager at Clayburn Industries in Abbotsford.

In 2009, he married Linda Ross and the two enjoyed many happy times together entertaining guests at their Abbotsford townhome. They also spent numerous hours fashioning their recreational mobile home in Birch Bay, Washington, into a welcoming place for family and friends. They travelled to various places including; Fort McMurray, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Branson, Missouri and many other states. Rod was welcomed into Linda’s family and became especially close with her two great grandchildren Brooklynn and Mckenzie. Mckenzie loved spending time with her “Bubba.”

In later years, Rod had some mobility and vascular issues and wasn’t able to get out as much. However, Linda took excellent care of him and bandaged his legs as well or better than any home care nurse. They still welcomed family and friends with delicious meals and insightful conversations. Rod was blessed with a sharp mind (he could always think on his feet) and a good (if selective) memory.

Rod is predeceased by his parents, Don and Irene Yewell, and is survived by his wife, Linda; his four children, Ryan (Saida) Yewell, Marianne (Eliot) Sawatzky, Carolyn (Steve) Schulz, Peter Yewell; siblings Kathy (Paul Dranfield) Yewell and Wes (Rose) Yewell; his eight grandchildren Alicen and Lawsen Yewell; Ellie, Audrey and Felix Sawatzky; Anna, Laura and Isaac Schulz; Linda’s children Patrick (Angela) Ross, Rob (Donna) Ross, Shannon (Eric) Lightfoot; Linda’s five grandchildren Caila (Ryan) Reid, Ella and Sophia Ross, Marley (Cameron Warje) Lightfoot, Kobe Lightfoot, and two great grandchildren Brooklynn and Mckenzie Reid.

A celebration of Rod’s Life will be held at the Matsqui Community Hall in Matsqui Village at 33676 St Olaf Avenue, Saturday January 31, 2026 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.