Debolt family remembered following New Year’s Day helicopter crash

As per the statement from the family, the four victims are survived by Wade and Aubrey’s other children: Chevey, Remington and Indya.

“Chevey, Remington and Indya will need your prayers, love and support as they grapple with the loss of their father, mother and sisters.”

The family lived and operated a farm near Debolt.

“The coffee was always on at their farm and their door was always open” says the family. “They made strangers into friends at an alarming rate and made a priority of keeping those relationships meaningful.”

The crash, which occurred on Friday evening in Birch Hills County, is currently under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Occupational Health and Safety and NAV Canada.

The full statement, shared by Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin on behalf of the family, can be found below.

Warkentin was a cousin of Aubrey Balisky.

I am sharing this message from Wade & Aubrey Balisky’s family. They are grateful for the support so many of you have shown them over the past hours and days.
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Our families want to thank all those who have reached out to us over the past hours and days. We are overwhelmed by your love and support.

Thank you for your prayers. We need them now and will need them in the hours, days and years ahead.

We have been devastated by our sudden loss of Wade, Aubrey, Jewel and Fleur.

Chevey, Remington and Indya will need your prayers, love and support as they grapple with the loss of their father, mother and sisters. They know that they were loved and are loved.

Wade loved his family and took every opportunity to share his joy of life with them. He loved to farm, to fly, to snowmobile, to river boat, to travel, and play and found great joy in doing it all with Aubrey and their kids.

Aubrey loved her family. Her children were her constant delight. Each child being deeply desired and longed for, she cherished being Wade’s wife and mother to each child. She was an artist and photographer and loved to capture the the beauty of life around her. She woke up every morning excited to do everything…. absolutely everything. She was a constant encouragement to her family and friends.

Jewel was…… our jewel. She brought colour and vibrancy wherever she went. Aubrey called her Honey Bee, and like a Honey Bee Jewel found beauty in everything and everyone she encountered.

Fleur’s middle name was Treasure, and she was truly the treasure of our family.

Wade and Aubrey loved their extended family, friends and neighbours. The coffee was always on at their farm and their door was always open. They made strangers into friends at an alarming rate and made a priority of keeping those relationships meaningful. They had a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the family takes all our comfort in that knowledge today.

The Balisky and Warkentin families are thankful for all the support we have received. We also want to express our love for those who mourn with us. Many of you were considered family by Wade and Aubrey and their family, you share in our loss.

by Shaun Penner

Debolt family remembered following New Year’s Day helicopter crash

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