Bertha Lillian (Thorne) Wunsch
June 15, 2012Share using:
Wunsch (Thorne), Bertha Lillian
August 4, 1928 to June 15, 2012
Our beloved mother, Bertha, passed away peacefully in her sleep early in the morning on June 15, 2012. We mourn her passing but rejoice that she is in the presence of the Lord, with a new pain-free body and a renewed mind. She is survived by her five children, Brenda (Gary) Fidelak, Myrna Lowe, Sandra Barrows, Linda (Jerry) Miller, and Barry (Judy) Wunsch; 12 grandchildren, Doug (Stephanie), Michael, Brian (Kim), Patricia (Cameron), Christopher , Patricia , Aleta (Jamie), Melinda (Adam), Suzanne (Shane), Daniel, Nolan and Nigel, and16 great-grandchildren, Joshua, Andrea, Arianna, Sarah, Carson, Kayla, Isabella, Hunter, Anna, Matthew, Emily, Paige, Caleb, Kaylee, Lucas, and Alexis; sisters, Grace (George) Harris and Marlene Groves. She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert Wunsch in 1998, her parents, Alice and Godfrey Thorne and siblings, Irene, Alice, Roy and Bill.
Mom showered unconditional love on all she met. She remained sweet natured and kind with a gentle spirit to the end of her days. She never shirked from the hard things in life and her life- glass was always half full and never half empty. She loved people, especially children and family gatherings. She loved gardening and reading. She was a wonderful cook and had the gift of hospitality. She took genuine delight in the song of a chickadee, the sight of the first spring dandelion, and the first fruits of the garden. Mom said that we all have a book of regrets and that you need to turn the page and carry on. It is good advice and she was an example to all of us. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2006 was very hard for mom and all who loved her. She faced this news as she had every other challenge in her life with an attitude of "I can do this." Because her mother Alice also had the illness, there was sorrow for mom in knowing what would be coming. Her strength came from the Lord and she read her bible faithfully. Her favorite verse was Psalm 121:1,2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Many times since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 mom had declared she was ready to go home to heaven. She was strong in her belief that this world is a place we are just passing through, and that she had a final journey to take alone into the presence of the Lord and this gives us great comfort. As the Alzheimer's stealthily advanced and stole from her daily, our mourning began. It has been a long goodbye. She loved and was loved to the end of her days.
Celebration of Bertha’s life will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Baker Funeral Chapel, 5302 - 50 Avenue Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Refreshments to follow at Lifegate Community Church, 4708 - 50 Avenue (across from City Hall) in Wetaskiwin.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society - Alberta & NWT #200 - 325 Manning Road NE Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5 or the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta 10531 Kingsway Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4K1.
