ALBERTA AUGUSTA “BERTA” WOOLFREY

Posted: September 11th, 2017

Berta Woolfrey passed away on August 31, 2017 at the age of 97. She was born in Bingville, AB, on August 5, 1920, one of eight children of Danish Immigrants, Laura and Hans Hansen. She attended school in Medicine Hat where she met Bill Woolfrey. They married on June 8, 1940, the same day that Bill joined the Army. When Bill was posted overseas, Berta went to live with Bill’s parents and helped run the family dairy farm – milking cows and delivering milk to customers. Bill returned after the war, and the couple had two sons, Ted (1941) and Dick (1946), and they continued to run the Dairy Farm until the late 1970’s and in 1990 they sold the land to Ted and his partners to develop Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course. Berta was a hardworking and resourceful person. In addition to farm chores, she was a seamstress, dog groomer and general “handywoman” who was not afraid to tackle any project. “Waste not, want not” was one of her favorite expressions but Berta also liked to have fun. She had a flare for fashion, was always well-dressed with her hair done and ready to enjoy a good party. She and Bill travelled extensively and in retirement enjoyed taking their RV to Puerta Penasco, Mexico for the winter months. At age 70, Berta took up golf, made new friends and took golf trips to Thailand and Portugal. In her later years, she took great joy in being able to spend time helping to raise her great grandchildren, and she and Morgan developed a very close bond.

Berta is lovingly remembered by her daughter-in-law, Marion; granddaughters, Cathy (Craig Wood) and Carole (Joe Harris); great grandchildren, Will Wood, Morgan Wood (Cole Lane) and BJ Wisnowski (Megan); and great great granddaughters, Olivia and Charley; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Berta was predeceased by her husband, Bill (1999); her sons, Ted (2013) and Dick (2005); as well as her parents, Laura and Hans; and her siblings, Marion Thomas, Edith Bastien, Eleanora Munro, Chris Hansen, Einer Hansen, Otto Hansen and Russell Hansen.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Sunnyview who took great care of Berta for the past three and a half years.

The Funeral Service will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Life Celebrant, Lynett Getz officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Berta’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, #201, 770 – 6 Street SW, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 4J6. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Berta Woolfrey. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, “The Chapel in the Park” #1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5 (403)528-2599 www.saamis.com inquiry@saamis.com Locally owned and directed CGR Holdings Ltd.

2 Condolences for “ALBERTA AUGUSTA “BERTA” WOOLFREY”

  1. Dorothy Barton says:

    Thinking of you Marion and the rest of the family, I was just talking the other day about All Saints church, Granny and Granpa were always late and she insisted sitting at the front, Granpa made a noise with the chair and I can still see her poking him with her elbow, great family, nothing like the old memories, Take Care Dorothy

  2. Shirley Britton says:

    Our Mom (Betty Stephanson) was a golfing buddy and they and their husbands, Bill & Jack, enjoyed many years of happy friendship. I found Berta to be a person with integrity and very capable. Whenever our parents entertained, Bill & Berta were included so my sisters & I got to know them as well. One day, thanks to the Resurrection, we will all meet again. In the meantime, May your fond memories comfort you. Sincerely, Shirley

    may your fond memories comfort you

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