Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Berta Papenbrock (nee Tabakaru) died May 23rd, 2011 in Prince Rupert. Her funeral service was held at Sacred Heart Church in Terrace and her ashes placed at the Terrace Cemetery columbarium on May 28th.
Born in Romania in 1923, Berta emigrated to Canada from Germany in 1953 with her husband Henry and their four eldest children. They settled in Saskatchewan for several years before moving to British Columbia where her husband worked for Alcan Aluminum Smelters. After his retirement. Berta and Henry moved briefly to New York state where he died. Berta then lived briefly in Ontario, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Quesnel, before moving to Prince Rupert for long-term care in 1997.
Berta is predeceased by her husband Henry and her sons Richard and George. She is survived by her children Sigrid (Wayne), Johanna (Bill), Michael (Shirley), Wiho (Jo-Ann), Roswitha (David), Andrew (Colleen), Bemadette (Vince), Margarita, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A life full of children, hard work, deep love, and faith, Berta was busy. Her handiwork, recipes, and gardening advice are enjoyed by many; her poetic stories, musings, and artistic leanings remembered; and the grasp of her often open hand missed.
Please make memorial donations to the charity of your choice, with special consideration for the Alzheimer Society of BC (www.alzheimerbc.org) and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (www.cnib.ca).