BERTHA ERICKSON

BERTHA ERICKSON
1927 ~ 2022
It is with great sadness the family of Bertha Erickson announce her passing on December 27, 2022. Bertha was the first child born to John and Helen Schafer, at home near Richmound, Saskatchewan, on November 6, 1927. Bertha grew up in the farming community of Schuler, walking two miles to school and back with her lunch in a syrup pail. Her mom taught her to be a great cook and at age ten she was cooking for their company. Her education ended at grade eight and she worked for and boarded with local farm families. She moved to the city and worked in the vegetable gardens for ten hours a day for $1.00. Bertha met Albert Stuber and they were married on November 19, 1946, at Schuler. They resided at the Stuber farm northwest of Elkwater where their daughter was born in November of 1947. The family moved to Medicine Hat and then bought a house in Redcliff in 1951. Bertha worked as a cook, chambermaid, housekeeper, greenhouse labourer and in childcare. She was secretary of the Redcliff C.W.L. and was a 25 year member. In the 1980’s, Bertha and her mom went on their first air plane ride to visit her brother in northern Alberta. Later, she travelled to Disneyland and Disney World for family holidays. Albert passed away on January 15, 1986. Through Albert’s family, she met and married Raymond Erickson on June 2, 1990. They lived in the city, travelled by bus to many destinations, grew a huge garden, helped their friends and hosted the annual garage sale. Raymond passed away on February 13, 2004. Bertha always enjoyed cooking strudels, kniefle, cheese buttons and kucha. Seeing her great grandchildren gave her the biggest smiles. She moved from her home in 2016 and into extended care in 2021.
Bertha is survived by her daughter Carol and her husband Harvey Meier; granddaughters Tara and husband Connie Goddu and Michele and husband Rob Downie; great grandchildren Rylee Goddu, Grace Downie, Luke Downie, Dakota and husband Mike Comfort and their children Austin and Evelyn; her sister Helen Zacher; sister-in-law, Julia Schafer; nieces and nephews; extended family Linda and Wilbert Langille, Cathy Meier, Elliott and Lori Meier and their families. She was predeceased by her brothers Adam and Peter Schafer and brother-in-law Wendal Zacher.
Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Monday, January 2, 2023 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated in the Holy Family Parish (1451 Strachan Road S.E.) on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Naveed Arif, celebrant. Luncheon to follow mass with interment then following at 2:00 p.m. in the Redcliff Cemetery. To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.


PATTISON FUNERAL HOME
AND CREMATORIUM
540 South Railway St. SE,
Medicine Hat T1A 4C2