Our Staff
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 & Eunice Friesen, Founders
A funeral home still owned and operated by the founding family is a rare treasure. You'll find unparalleled service and high ideals with every person you meet at Bear Creek Funeral Home, starting with the Managing Director, Doug.
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 2009, Doug sought a change that would allow him to use his talents to make a positive and lasting impact on those he serves and he found his calling in funeral service.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. Doug serves residents of the city of Grande Prairie as a member of the Community Enhancement Advisory Committee and as the Treasurer for Grande Prairie Live Theatre.
As a retired nurse, Eunice helps out as needed at the funeral home and enjoys spending time volunteering in the community. She is the Vocational Services Director for the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie, and has served on the Boards of Directors for the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Services Bureau, and Odyssey House. In 2016 she was appointed to hear appeals on behalf of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and was recently appointed to the Grande Prairie Regional College Board of Governors. In 2017, Eunice was elected to the Grande Prairie City Council.
Doug and Eunice opened Bear Creek Funeral Home in 2012 with the vision of caring for each as their own in every aspect of care. Have a look at “what our families have said” and you will see that they are achieving exactly what they set out to do. In 2016 they were awarded Small Business of the Year by the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, and were one of only four Alberta businesses considered for the prestigious Premier's Award of Distinction in 2017.
Jennifer Greentree, 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. Born and raised in Ontario, Jennifer is married to Brad Wornstaff and now calls Grande Prairie home. 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 licence 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.
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. After high school, her path led her to Grande Prairie to attend Northern Lights Academy of Cosmetology. Upon completion, she returned to her home town and opened her own salon in 2007. Some of her favourite clients were those she met as she branched out and offered her services to residents in local lodges and nursing homes.
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.
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”.
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.
