Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 12:00 a.m.
Brandon, Bertha
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on May 11, 2020 at the age of 95 years.
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on May 11, 2020 at the age of 95 years.
Bertha was born March 4, 1925 in Climax, SK to Jesse and Lily (Lundberg) East. She received her early schooling in a one room country school and her high school in Orkney, SK. Bertha went on to attend Normal School in Regina, SK to become a teacher. At the age of 17, she took on her first teaching job in the Strasbourg/Bulyea area, followed by teaching high school in Robinhood before returning home to Orkney to be principal for a short time.
On January 12, 1946, Bertha married Harland Brandon, starting out married life on his father's ranch during which time she was called to teach at the nearby country school. In 1953, they moved with two small children, Beverley and LeWayne, to the newly opened irrigation project in Hays, AB. Bertha joined the teaching staff in the Hays School in 1959, continuing to teach there until she retired in 1982. She taught many of the students in the Hays area and has been remembered well by many of those students over the years. She was a friend to education, fellow teachers, and students. She balanced praise and discipline, each year setting limits and realistic goals for each student to help them achieve their personal best. Through these years in Hays, Jeffery and Mark completed the family.
Bertha was proud to have been raised on the prairies, enjoying the western spirit and freedom that came along with that. She loved the farm life, raising a large vegetable garden and canning many jars of fruit, corn, pickles, jam and jellies over the years. Along with all of this she milked cows, raised chickens and turkeys and even found time to make her own butter, cottage cheese and homemade bread.
After 47 years of farming, Harland and Bertha retired to an acreage near Diamond City, AB in 1984 and then to Lethbridge in 1994. During these retirement years, they were able to enjoy many camping and fishing trips with friends and family as well as vacations to Hawaii, California, and Florida. Bertha was able to renew her hobbies of knitting, crocheting, wheat weaving and reading to name a few. Each Christmas she would knit slippers for each member of the family. She has continued to faithfully read the Lethbridge Herald cover to cover up until a week before her passing. She was always up on the most current events.
Bertha was a selfless person, never too busy to help arrange or participate in community and church functions. She dedicated a great deal of time to making the first Hays history book "From Sod to Silver" a reality. As Bertha enjoyed public speaking, she was called upon many times to act as the master of ceremonies for wedding anniversaries, bridal showers, and farewell parties. She was an active member of the Hays United Church, serving on the board and teaching Sunday school.
As health began to fail, Harland and Bertha moved into West Highlands Estates in Lethbridge where Bertha enjoyed many coffee parties and card games with other residents.
Bertha has always strived to set an example of good work ethics and encouraged her family to be the best that they can be. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, LeWayne (JoAnn) and Mark (Florence); son-in-law, Howard (Kathy) Dell; six grandchildren, Jason (Vickie), Kari (Ryan) Hanna, Mitchel (Lacey), Harland (Mackenzie Coatham), Donavon (Katherine) and Lane (Cathryn Story); six great-grandchildren, Montana, Madison, and Chance Brandon, Taylor and Braxton Hanna and Leon Brandon; sisters, Martha Reid, Hilda Gouldie, and Iris Parker; sister-in-law, Elaine East; brother in law, Bob Smith; and nieces and nephews.
Bertha was predeceased by her loving husband, Harland (2015); parents, Lily (1963), Jesse (1978), son, Jeff (2007), daughter, Bev (2010), infant brother, Ronald East (1932), brother, David East (2014), sister, Gertie Workman (2016), Harland's parents, Leo (1955), Johanna (1980), sister-in-law, Cleofae Kress (1967), Fern Hayes (2014), Gloria Smith (2018); brothers-in-law, Bill Workman (1987), Don Parker (2006), Walter Reid (2012), John Kress (2014), Gordon Gouldie (2015) and Tom Hayes (2019).
A Family Graveside Service will be held in Royal View Cemetery. For all family and friends who cannot attend due to the current gathering restrictions, a recording of Bertha's service will be available under her obituary on our website between May 15 and June 14.
Donations in memory of Bertha may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation at www.heartandstroke.ca/donate.
Guestbook (10)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Bertha.
Our deepest sympathy to the Brandon family. We thought highly of Bertha and Harland and have many good memories of card games and shared laughter. We are so glad we were able to attend Bertha's 95th birthday party. She was a wonderful person you can be very proud of.
Sincere Sympathy to the family.
Bertha was a wonderful sister but first a wonderful and loving mother, grand mother, and great grandmother. We will all miss her very much We must take comfort that she is at peace and does not suffer any more
Many happy memories of our time together growing up and growing old. we didn't see each other that often but we remained close through letters and phone calls. She was a wonder sister and aunt my son Trevor and daughter Dawn. My family and I send sincere condolences to all her family
Many happy memories of times spent together throughout my life as a child , adult and growing old. A wonderful sister I will always miss. A life well lived. Rest in peace dear Bertha.
Bertha was truly a talented, accomplished and compassionate lady. She lived through many years of change ie stooking grain in her younger years on the farm to using a computer. She will be greatly missed by her loving family. May all your wonderful memories of Bertha bring you comfort at this time. Our deepest sympathy, Bruce and Sharon Workman
Bertha was a great lady! She was my closest neighbor and a great friend. I'm going to really miss her and so are the rest of the residents in the condo. My sympathy to all the family.
Our thoughts and prays are with you at this time. We are sure she will be missed but I am also sure you have many wonderful memories of her.
We are so sorry to hear of Bertha's passing. What special memories we have of Bertha as a teacher and a community member in Hays. When we think of her we will smile - she meant so much to so many.
Great Aunt Bertha was always the first Christmas card I would receive each year. It was lovely to have her letter as a way to connect to her life and family as they would connect the stories my grandma (her sister, Gertie) would have previously shared with me over the years. I know that letters and phone calls were very important between the two sisters. Tucked away in my dresser is a pair of slippers that Bertha would have knit years ago. My grandma always wore a pair and had shared many sets with me over the years. They were my favourite. My deepest sympathy to your family, Lisa Workman