Imagine adopting Santa Claus.
This is not a Hallmark movie script though, perhaps, it has the making of one.
It91裸聊视频檚 the story of a friendship born out of loneliness.
Bobbe MacKenzie is a longtime Vernonite, former businesswoman, and now a volunteer director with the Upper Room Mission (URM). And it was at the Mission where she befriended Santa, whose given name was John Henry Mitschke, a farm boy born and raised on the family property in Langenburg, Sask. in 1929.
Mitschke91裸聊视频檚 beloved wife of 51 years, Mary, died in 2011, and his companion after, Jackie Johnson, passed in 2020.
After walking 36 blocks from his home to the Vernon Courthouse at 6:30 each morning to greet the employees, Mitschke would then wander down another seven blocks to the Mission for a two-hour volunteer shift. He started this during the time of COVID in 2020, so he91裸聊视频檇 sit outside the facility. He91裸聊视频檇 pick up garbage and he would talk to the people of the URM.
91裸聊视频淗e was lonely,91裸聊视频� said MacKenzie, who ran the adjacent Mission Thrift Store. She struck up a friendship with Mitschke, who had no kids but did have a sister back in Saskatchewan.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檇 take him to get haircuts. I91裸聊视频檇 help him buy groceries.91裸聊视频�
Mitschke91裸聊视频檚 professional career began at the age of 25 when he joined radio stations in Weyburn and Estevan, Sask. installing studio and transmitter equipment. He and Mary moved to Vernon in 1970 where he became the engineer for CJIB Radio. His career there lasted 20 years, retiring in 1990.
On the station91裸聊视频檚 phone list, Mitschke had the transmitter listed as Lotta Watts, showing a sly sense of humour.
91裸聊视频淗e kept a copy of every staff list at the station from the time he arrived until the time he left,91裸聊视频� said longtime CJIB morning man Frank Martina.
Mitschke appears in more photo albums in the North Okanagan (and Yuma, Arizona, where he and Mary would winter upon retirement) than most men, as he and his wife played Santa and Mrs. Claus every year. Mitschke91裸聊视频檚 natural white beard made him a ringer for Santa even in the heart of summer.
He had been walking in downtown Vernon one August afternoon when a toddler yelled out, 91裸聊视频楽ANTA.91裸聊视频� Mitschke stopped, played the role without costume, and continued with his day.
He loved children and donated all the money he made as Santa through the years and his entire estate to Variety 91裸聊视频� the Children91裸聊视频檚 Charity of BC.
Mitschke died in Vernon Jubilee Hospital on June 27, just 13 days shy of his 94th birthday. In his final days, he received great care from the staff at VJH, and from Mission friends MacKenzie and Brenda Toews.
91裸聊视频淚 remember asking him if he adopted me or I adopted him,91裸聊视频� said MacKenzie of her late friend.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Mitschke at the Vernon Upper Room Mission on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. Pastor David Hunter and Pastor Brent Henderson presiding. All who loved this gentle, kind man are welcome to attend and share their memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vernon Upper Room Mission.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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