RYELAND CABIN TO JOIN THE RANKS AT CAMP KOINONIA

A local family is looking to encapsulate their mother's memory with a commemorative cabin at her favourite place, Camp Koinonia. When Lynn Ryeland died of cancer on May 20, 2022, the family began a memorial fund where they were able to raise $4,000 in her memory.

Now with the help of more generous donations, the Ryeland family plans to install a prefabricated cabin in Lynn's memory at her home away from home, the little camp on Shoebottom Road in Seguin Township.

Andrew Ryeland gave his children, Tim, Jon, and Sarah, all the credit for putting together the project for their mother.

"It was (Lynn's) favourite place on earth. She wanted to be remembered at that place," said Ryeland.

He explained Camp Koinonia, a small Christian camp located on the shores of Haines Lake, held a special place in Lynn's heart and had been a large part of their children's lives as well. In continuing tradition, the Ryeland Cabin would join the Polley Cabin and Polley Prayer Cabin, which were named in remembrance of her parents Gord and Betty as well as her brother Don.

Ryeland said it was a nice way to give back to a place treasured by the family.

"It's a little better than flowers and a gravestone."

The family hopes to complete the project over two weekends in the spring to have the cabin ready for the upcoming summer.

As of March 13, the GoFundMe has raised $5,000 of its original $4,000 goal. Ryeland said the extra donations will either be used to upgrade the cabin with any extra fittings and furnishings or purchase a larger cabin.

"Thank you for helping us enhance the place we love by remembering a wonderful woman," read the GoFundMe.