Heritage

Trust, service and attention to detail are what Okanagan families have come to expect from Everden Rust Funeral Services.

We feel that every life lived is special and unique. It is our heritage to help families celebrate that life in their own unique way. We honor cultural and family traditions. We listen to your requests. We work around your schedule. And, within reason customize the service to your wishes. As a family firm we understand the importance of family serving family. We are available 24 hours a day.

Everden Rust Funeral Services is committed to helping you at time of need. We will treat you with respect, compassion and dignity. Let us help you at this difficult time.

Staff

Bill Everden - Founder & Funeral Director

As founder of Everden Rust, Bill has over 40 years experience in funeral service.

Since moving his family to Penticton in 1987, Bill has been very active in the community of Penticton . He has served as: local coordinator for the B.C. Special Olympics; President of: the Penticton Kiwanis and Skaha Rotary Clubs; Chairman of the Penticton United Church Board; board member of the Community Resources Society; member of the Allocations Committee of the United Way; Vice Chairman of the Pathways Addiction Resource Society Board; Chairman and current board member of the Penticton Hospice Society.  Bill lives in Penticton with his wife June and manages the Penticton location of Everden Rust. They have three sons Jeff, Jason, and Jonathon, who are all licensed funeral directors under the firm.

Jason Everden - General Manager & Funeral Director

Jason is a graduate of Penticton Secondary School and completed three years of study at the Okanagan University College in Kelowna .

He apprenticed with Everden Rust Funeral Services in Penticton and Kelowna and received his Funeral Director and Embalmer's license from the British Columbia Funeral Director Apprenticeship Program, in 1998.  He has managed the Kelowna location since the retirement of Marvin Rust in 2004. Jason is an active Rotarian & has served as: board member of the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club; the Inaugural Cremation, Interment & Funeral Services Industry Advisory Group under Consumer Protection of British Columbia. Jason is married to wife, Kim and together they have two sons: Brandon (10) and Nathan (7).  They have lived in West Kelowna since 2002.

Jeff Everden - Funeral Director

Jeff completed high school at Penticton Secondary School in 1989 and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Victoria in 1993.

Jeff spent a number of years working in Vancouver 's downtown eastside as a mental health home-support worker with the Portland Hotel Society and St. James Community Service Society.  Jeff returned to Penticton to learn the family business in 2001. He graduated with honors, in 2003 from the Western School of Funeral Service as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Jeff serves through the Penticton location. Jeff is married to wife, Sandra and they live in Penticton.

Jonathon "Jon" Everden - Funeral Director

Jonathon "Jon" graduated from South Hill High School in Vancouver . Following high school, he worked in restaurant management in Vancouver and Honolulu  earning many awards as top producer.

After several years, Jon decided on a career change and joined the Vancouver Coroner's Service.  He returned to the Okanagan in 2004 to begin his funeral service apprenticeship with the Everden Rust's Kelowna location.  Jon is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer graduating from the Canadian College of Funeral Service in 2007. He currently works at Everden Rust's Kelowna location.  Jon and his wife, Sayo have one daughter Katie (5) and together they live in Kelowna.

Jennifer "Jenn" Jackson - Funeral Director

Jenn was born in Kelowna and graduated from Penticton Secondary School. She went on to earn her Esthetics license from Marvel BC School of Hair and Esthetics.

Jenn joined Everden Rust Penticton Chapel in 2005 and is graduated from the Canadian College of Funeral Service in 2009 as a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. She serves through the Penticton location. Jen married husband Greg in 2006 and they currently live in the Penticton area.

Norman "Norm" Nelson - Funeral Director

Norm has over 45 years experience in funeral service having graduated from the Alberta School of Mortuary Science in 1965.  

Most recently, he managed Valley View Funeral Home in Rutland from 1994 - 2007. Norm currently holds his British Columbia Funeral Director and Embalmer's license and is certified to operate Everden Rust's on-site crematorium.  Norm is also a Rotarian, having been a member at Calgary , Summerland and Ogopogo Rotary Clubs.  He has two daughters, Tanya and Michelle and two grandchildren, Tijana and Enya.

Laura-Lee Locheed - Pre-planning Consultant

Laura-Lee has been a resident of Vernon for over 50 years; she is very active in the community and takes every opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings the Okanagan has to offer.

She worked for 5 years as the Director of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce where she met some amazing people. In addition to her invaluable role with Everden Rust Funeral Services she is currently the Events Director of the Vernon Flying Club. Laura-Lee enjoys many outdoor activities and loves to travel so it's handy that she also possesses her pilot's license. She has two children, Bryan and Sandra, and two lively grandchildren, Daniel and Heather.

June Everden - Office Manager

While attending Business College in Belleville, Ontario June and Bill began dating.  They continued their friendship in Toronto where they started their careers.  June's first job was a secretarial position at Weston Bakeries the Head Office in downtown Toronto.  June and Bill Everden were married in 1970. The following year they started their family. 

Over the years, June has  worked as medical secretary for general practitioners, oncologists and Human Resources Assistant at Westpark Hospital in Weston, Ontario.  In the Okanagan, June spent ten years working for the Interior Health Authority in various capacities.  Since 2003 June has worked with her family as Office Manager for the Penticton Everden Rust facility and she also helps out at the Kelowna facility as needed. June lives in Penticton with husband Bill. They have three sons Jeff, Jason, and Jonathon, who are all licensed funeral directors under the firm.