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

Founder, Owner & Funeral Celebrant

Eunice is a registered nurse who has been serving families at Bear Creek Funeral Home since she founded it with Doug 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. Eunice spends countless hours serving our community wherever help is needed. 

Jennifer Greentree

Managing Director & Embalmer

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 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 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 where she taught for several years.

Karleigh Hexspoor

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Karleigh’s gentle and compassionate support to families inspires comfort and confidence as she guides them through the difficult task of funeral planning.

Originally from High Level, Karleigh knew at a young age that she wanted to help people. Initially planning for a Degree in Psychology, she shifted her course and graduated from MacEwan University in 2018 with a Diploma in Police and Investigative Studies. She was working as a Youth Addiction Counsellor when a friend suggested she consider funeral services at Mount Royal University. 

Abi Doerksen

Funeral Director & Embalmer

Born and raised in Alberta, Abi followed her calling to help those who are grieving and their lost loved ones. She felt right at home starting her Funeral Services Diploma through Mount Royal University, where she graduated from in December 2022. By summer of 2023, she obtained both her Funeral Directors License and her Embalming License. After completing her education, Abi strives to continue learning and improving in all areas of her life.

Elise Schermerhorn

Funeral Director & Embalmer Apprentice

Elise was born and raised in Grande Prairie and moved to Vancouver when she was twenty. She has traveled to places like Peru, Ireland, Wales, and New Zealand. Deeply empathetic and endlessly curious, Elise has an extensive background inservice-based professions.

After experiencing her own losses and challenges while she lived in Vancouver, she quit her corporate job, packed up her dog and basement suite, and moved home to Grande Prairie. Here she bought a house, planted a garden, and reconnected with her family.
Elise has always wanted to help people and is passionate about serving families and providing education regarding death care. She is delighted to serve the community she grew up in as part of the team at Bear Creek Funeral Home. As she continues to work toward licenses as a funeral director and embalmer, she is dedicated to being a patient listener and gentle guide for all who are struggling during life’s most challenging chapter.

Ashley Krol

Pre-need Funeral Advisor & Funeral Service Attendant &

Certified Grief Educator & Good Grief Facilitator

Ashley was born and raised in a small town near Grande Prairie and worked as a licensed Hairstylist for 8 years after graduating from Northern Lights Academy of Cosmetology in 2008. In 2015, she became a Mother and now has two beautiful Daughters. Ashley enjoys nothing more than quality time with her loved ones, anywhere with an ocean view and a round of golf, good or bad.

Ashley experienced the loss of her Mother in 2019 and knew that her heart was no longer in Hairstyling. After dealing with loss firsthand and experiencing the care and attention that Bear Creek Funeral Home had shown her Mother and her family, she knew that she wanted to impact people the way they had impacted her. She is passionate about helping people share their grief and understands the importance of empathy and support during these times.

Deepening her commitment to compassionate community care, Ashley is also a Certified Grief Educator, having completed specialized training under world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler.

In June of 2026, Ashley started as a Good Grief Facilitator with Brenda.

Brenda Thompson

Pre-need Funeral Advisor & Funeral Service Attendant &

Crematory Operator & Certified Grief Educator &

Good Grief Facilitator

Brenda is a Funeral Attendant and was recently studying to become a Pre-Needs Salesperson with Bear Creek Funeral Home. Turning her compassion for helping people into a career. She volunteers for Grande Prairie Hospice & Palliative care, People’s Church and is also a certified End of Life Doula.

In her spare time, Brenda enjoys, walking, travelling, camping and spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and four dogs.

As a Certified Grief Educator with Bear Creek Funeral Home, Brenda is dedicated to walking alongside individuals and families through grief with compassion, understanding and gentle support.

In June of 2026, Brenda started as a Good Grief Facilitator with Ashley.

Duncan Rak

Funeral Service Attendant

After graduating from high school, Duncan was a little stumped about his future. Looking for a way that he could make a difference in the lives of others, he found his calling at Bear Creek Funeral Home. Having experienced some of the grief and turmoil of life during his school years, he understands just how important it is to extend empathy, kindness, and a helping hand to others. With his calm demeanor, Duncan offers his compassion and aid to those around him.

Being born in the QEII Hospital and being raised in town, Grande Prairie is the only place he’s ever called home. Duncan often spends his time with his friends, playing games, talking late into the night, and maybe a few shenanigans between them every once and a while. He also greatly enjoys the company of his family, often looking for excuses to spend an evening with them. 

Gordon Pellerin

Funeral Service Attendant

Born in Grande Prairie and raised on a farm at Five Mile Creek, Gordon later attended University of Alberta with the goal of medical school to become a coroner but instead completed a Bachelor of Science, Honors in biological sciences. Gordon built a 35 year career with Grande Prairie Regional College teaching sciences in adult education, and served in administration. Gordon and his husband of 31 years continue to reside in one of the oldest houses in Grande Prairie.

Gordon has always been an activist, particularly in human rights and 2SLGBTQIA+, including a summer in both West and East Berlin prior to the fall of the wall. Gordon cofounded the organization now operating as North Reach Society, and continues to serve on the board of directors. Gordon is presently secretary for the board of the Five Mile Community Agricultural Society, and also on the board of the Grande Prairie Pride Society.

Unable to sit still for long Gordon quickly joined the family of Bear Creek Funeral Home as a casual funeral service attendant. His career goal of becoming a coroner may not have been fulfilled, but this opportunity with Bear Creek Funeral Home has been an excellent fit.

Brian & Sue Fuller

Funeral Service Attendants

Brian and Sue met in Windsor, Ontario, where they were both raised. Brian was selling life insurance and Sue was working in a bank when they transferred to Alberta with their two young children in 1977. Shortly after, they felt called to ministry with the Salvation Army. They served in many locations, including Bermuda, before their retirement in 2011. They’ve been working with Bear Creek Funeral Home since 2014. Brian officiates funerals and helps with attending and transfer driving, while Sue was the backbone of our Good Grief Community. In June of 2026, they retired from being the facilitators of Good Grief Community after years of dedication.

The Fullers enjoy traveling whenever they can, especially cruises.

In Memory of Petey the Dog

Everyone’s Best Friend

Petey was an Argentine Dogo mix who joined the family at Bear Creek Funeral Home in June, 2015.  Doug and Eunice found 5-year-old 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 retired in 2021, but still came into the office upon request until his passing in 2024.

He was a wonderful presence in the funeral home over the years, and was once even named as an honorary pallbearer.

What Our Families Have To Say

Grande Prairie