Our dedicated and supportive staff are here to guide you through this difficult journey. We take pride in doing our absolute best to ensure your needs are met.

Doug Friesen

Owner & Founder

Born and raised in Grande Prairie, Doug has committed his life to working in and owning local businesses as he and his wife Eunice raised their family. Doug worked in the printing industry for a number of years before owning and operating his own service businesses. With his gentle manner and family-centered approach, Doug has developed excellent and trusting relationships within our community. In 2012, Doug decided to use his talents to make a positive and lasting impact on grieving families and he and Eunice established Bear Creek Funeral Home.

Take a moment to speak with Doug and you’ll notice how genuine and passionate he is about making a true difference for families as they make final decisions about a loved one. Doug is dedicated to providing families with options that suit their needs while honouring the life of their loved one in a unique and meaningful way. 

Eunice Friesen

Owner & Funeral Celebrant

Eunice retired from a 25-year nursing career to serve families together with Doug when they established Bear Creek Funeral Home in 2012. Over the years her warm and caring spirit and natural way of connecting with people have made her a popular choice of Funeral Celebrant for families.

She has volunteered countless hours in the community, and in 2017 Eunice was elected to serve on City Council.

Our Grande Prairie Team

Jennifer Greentree

Senior Funeral Director & Embalmer

Jennifer has worked in many customer service lines of work before her passion for meaningful service to others brought her to Bear Creek Funeral Home. Jennifer obtained her Funeral Directors Licence through Mount Royal University in August 2015, and her Embalming Licence in 2017. Jennifer’s eye for detail and design is always appreciated by families who spend time with her as they select a meaningful monument for their loved one.

Her ability to connect to the unique needs of each family is a true gift. Jennifer was a founding member of Northern Networks Business Networking International in Grande Prairie and in 2016 was appointed by the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board to serve on the Funeral Education Review Committee. Her excellent work on the Committee led to a role as Instructor with Mount Royal University in the Funeral Services Program.

Hannah Lawrence

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Hannah was born and raised in Calgary and moved to Grande Prairie in June 2016 to complete her Funeral Directing Practicum at Bear Creek Funeral Home. By the time she obtained her license in 2017, she had fallen in love with the city of Grande Prairie and was pleased to accept a full-time position at the award-winning funeral home. Hannah obtained her Embalming License through Mount Royal University in 2019 and received the Embalming Award of Excellence following her graduation.

People are immediately at ease with Hannah’s warmth and professionalism. Her thoughtful approach to each family’s specific needs helps them experience unique and meaningful services. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys crocheting and cross-stitching.

Heather Gallagher-Rowe

Administrative Lead

Although she did not grow up in the area (being a transplanted Nova Scotian) Heather has, for the past 4 decades, made Grande Prairie her home. During this time she has made many lifelong friends and is very familiar with Grande Prairie and the surrounding areas that are served by Bear Creek Funeral Home.

Her past professional experience has been primarily with not-for-profit agencies in the city, including over 10 years as a Crisis Counsellor. This experience,  coupled with her own deep personal grief over the loss of loved ones, gives her both a sincere compassion for and genuine desire to assist others who are grieving.

Heather’s attention to detail helps to ensure that every behind-the-scenes element is completed and ready for a funeral service. Heather truly embodies Bear Creek Funeral Home’s guiding principle of “caring for each as our own”.

Kolton

Funeral Attendant & Crematory Specialist

Born and raised in Fairview, Kolton began working with Bear Creek Funeral Home when we opened and moved to work full-time in Grande Prairie in 2018. Since then, he has become an indispensable member of the family. Kolton is certified directly by our crematory manufacturer and maintains all aspects of care with impeccable attention to detail.

You can also spot Kolton behind our state-of-the-art sound and video system as he manages technical aspects of services held in our facility. In his spare time, Kolton enjoys working out, restoring vehicles, woodworking, and riding his motorbike around the Peace Country.

Petey the Dog

Everyone’s Best Friend

Petey is a Staffordshire Terrier mix who joined the family at Bear Creek Funeral Home in June, 2015.  Doug and Eunice found Petey in a shelter, and he immediately demonstrated the qualities they were looking for in a dog who would be called upon to provide comfort for anyone who needs it. Petey is a calm, welcoming presence for families and individuals.

Our Fairview Team

Kristi Heck

Funeral Director

Kristi was raised in Fairview, and has always been at home in the Peace Country.  She was an active 4-H member for years and excelled in public speaking. She always had an interest in funeral services, and it was reawakened in 2013 with the passing away of Kristi’s most treasured friend, her Grandmother. She closed her shop and had the opportunity to focus on her family for a while before pursuing a career as a funeral director. 

Kristi and her partner Chris have four busy boys who have a love for playing hockey and the outdoors. They spend many hours together pursuing some of the favourite pastimes of the Peace Country.

What Our Families Have To Say

Fairview

Fairview