The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation announced a new endowment fund worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Fort St John Hospital Foundation recently received a large donation of $378,947 to establish the Ann & Rudy Klawon Endowment Fund. Ann passed way in March of 2021. Before passing, Ann chose to make a gift to the Foundation to provide a lasting legacy in the community that she and her husband Rudy loved and cared about.
The couple were very successful in business; building the M&M Convenience Store, which Ann managed, until they sold it in the late 1990's. By then it had grown to a Modern Shopping Plaza with a restaurant, laundromat, hair salon, men’s work clothing store, and rental units. This did not stop them from doing other business endeavors, for example, Ann also drove the Coffee Wagon that she took to work sites with all kinds of food and drinks.
In 1980, they built Rudy’s Highway Car and Truck Wash, then expanded it with three more bays in 1998, which is still in business today. During the 7O's through to the late 80's, they built, or remodeled; the Redwood Esso and Redwood Husky Convenience Stores in Taylor, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, and Tumbler Ridge. They also built the Taylor Lodge,
Ann and Rudy were married for over 50 years, before his passing in 2006. Ann and Rudy did not have children of their own.
“We are very touched by Ann’s impactful donation. Her generosity is a reflection of their love for this community. The Foundation will ensure her donation will continue to grow for generations to come. The Foundation’s Endowment funds are permanently invested and managed so that the income generated will ensure a source of funding is readily available with the purpose to meet future medical equipment needs to enhance patient care and comfort at the Fort St John Hospital and Peace Villa. Fort St John was not where they were born, but it was their home in every way and we want to honor their legacy." Foundations Executive Director, Niki Hedges said.
