Ethel Bertsch

Ethel Evelyn Bertsch was born September 7th, 1927 in Vancouver B.C., The middle child of Mr. and Mrs. Alvina Kalmbach.

Ethel became a nurse’s aide and began work in Hanna Alberta, where she first met her husband to be, the handsome Edwin Bertsch. On their first date, Ed had the audacity to pull up in his fancy car with two other ladies in the car. Not to be deterred, Ethel declared that it was her date and the other ladies could just get in the back seat, and she took her place in the front seat with Ed, and she remained beside him for the rest of his days. As Ed moved to chase to work in Prince George B.C, Ethel hopped a train from Hanna with only 5 dollars in her purse to be by his side, eventually raising a family of five children.

Outwardly Ethel projected a serious and fearless demeanor, and despite her husband Ed’s outgoing and boisterous personality, there was no doubt who ruled the roost in their household. Ethel raised her children to be strong independent people, a trait which carried down to her grandchildren as well. But there was also a very funny side to Ethel and she told hilarious stories of her life with Ed in her later years.

Ethel had a close relationship with all her children throughout her life, the first part of her life was spent in Calgary, where she raised and cherished wonderful memories with her children Gordon, Joan, Barry, Brent and Tammy.

Ed and Ethel moved to Victoria BC where they spent the remaining years of their lives making wonderful memories with their daughter Tammy and her family members.

Ethel had many special moments particularly with her daughter Joan. Summer holidays were always a time to look forward to their visits to the country in Alberta where Joan lived with her own family. It was a lot like the city mouse visits the country mouse in those days. Ethel had a sort of love hate relationship with the farm life her daughter lived. Her fearlessness often led her into situations that did not always turn out the way she had planned, such as the odd occasion she would get on her grandson’s horse, and animal that was all too often a creature that just did not want to be ridden.

Throughout her life Ethel had a magic touch with gardens, and food. Year after year she grew amazing gardens and flowers. She and Ed also had a love for food and their table was second to none when it comes to the most delicious food. The delectable smell of a Sunday roast at their home will live on forever in our memories, as will her wonderful laugh. You were and always will be the fun and cool Gramma.

Throughout her life Ethel possessed a keen sense of style and her home was always tastefully decorated and in step with the latest trends. The same can be said of her fashion. No matter the occasion, she and Ed always looked their best. Even as the years crept up on her and time slowed her down, take her to the mall shopping and you’d better be ready to move in a hurry. And so it was to be, the night before her passing, Ethel had her hair coloured and cut one last time, perhaps to look her best to be reunited with her husband Ed in the eternal.

Ethel was pre-deceased by her youngest son Brent Bertsch and the love of her life Edwin Bertsch. She is survived by her two son’s Gordon and Barry, and her daughters Joan and Tammy, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren .

She will be forever loved and missed by all.