From a dance in Germany to Prince George
very good and we had the best air quality in town; all of this trumped the heavy snowfalls. We were happy there and I still live in the area.”
Jack continued to work for Eaton’s he went to work for Sears. He retired 13 years later.
He only thought that he had retired. He had an opportunity to run the Nakalat Lodge located on Stuart Lake near Fort St. James. Audrey, who had never worked outside the family home, started her first paid job at the age of 52 at the Nakalat Lodge.
For the next five years they managed the lodge from May to the end of October. Audrey explained, “I was the chief cook and bottle washer and Jack worked as a big game guide. The owner of the lodge owned the Star Shipping Company from Norway. They brought in all their big customers from pretty much all over the world including the United States and Jack took them out on hunting and fishing trips. I ran the lodge and I remember it all very well. No matter how big their companies were these big executives were all like a bunch of little boys. They all loved fishing and hunting and they couldn’t get enough of the scenery. Jack was always amazed at our life out at the lodge because he got paid for doing all the things he loved to do. Not only that, we met so many great people. The Norwegians were wonderful people; they were all rich but they were just like anyone else. They worked hard and they loved their outdoor sports and they respected and looked after the land. We were all on a first-name basis and we made some great friends over the years.”
Jack Kelly was born in Hanley, Sask. nearly 53 years of marriage. Together Jack and Audrey raised four boys; Michael (Faye), Glenn (Darlene), Tim (Barb) and Ron (Mary). They have nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Audrey is enjoying her retirement and goes carpet bowling and five pin bowling on a regular basis. She also volunteers her time at the Hart Pioneer Senior Centre and takes pride in tending the huge display of nasturtiums at the entrance to the senior centre.