Gertrude Berean

We are deeply saddened to announce that Gertrude (“Gert”) Berean passed away in her 86th year. She was born in Berlin, and came to North America on the ship Duchess of Atholl with her family when she was 9 years old. Her father, Edward, had originally come to the state of Washington and wanted to immigrate to the United States. However, he was unable to do so, and settled the family in Barrhead, Alberta in 1938. Life on a homestead in the northern Canadian prairie was difficult, as Gert was wont to tell her children on a regular basis. Gert became a care aide in Barrhead Hospital, and this turned out to be a fortuitous event, as she met her husband to be, James “Red” Berean, when he was a patient suffering from scarlet fever in the hospital where she worked. They married on August 8, 1950, and immediately got to work on a family. The early years of the marriage were spent on drilling rig leases, living in rig “shacks” or mobile homes, throughout Alberta and BC. During these years, Gert’s main focus was raising her first four children, Brenda, Bob, Doug, and Ken. Eventually the family settled in Fort St. John, and it was there that the final addition to the family came – Colleen. Through it all, Gert managed to find time for bowling on a regular basis and attending Oil Wives, where she built many lasting friendships. Retirement came for Red in 1986, and with an almost empty nest, Gert and Red moved to St. Albert. Gert’s time in St. Albert was spent getting her youngest child launched into successful adulthood and accommodating her ever growing family of grandchildren both nearby and from afar. Gert made a mean borscht and her family all tried to emulate her perfect brown-eyed Susans every Christmas. Gert was expert at needlepoint and a superb knitter, equipping grandchildren with sweaters with ease. Gert was loved by her family and her gentle nature and understated sense of humour will be missed. She is survived by her children Brenda (Ray) Tupala, Bob, Doug (Emily), Ken (Deborah McFadden), and Colleen (Mike Dutcher), along with 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, and her sisters Christel (Fred) Schikurski and Ruth Gummo, and sisters in law Alma Dallman, and Dean Thompson she was predeceased by her husband (James), sister Frieda (Mike) Maretzski and brother Arthur. The family extends thanks to the staff at River Ridge for caring for Gert so well; their kindness made her last years as peaceful as we could have hoped. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Memories Funeral Home 13403 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton. For those who so desire, memorial donations may be made, in Gert’s name, to the Alzheimer Society 10531 Kingsway Ave., Edmonton, AB T5H 4K1.