Obituary for Gertrude Erna Barnes (Armbruster)
BARNES: Gertrude Erna
Oct. 22, 1924 – Feb. 18, 2019
Gertrude Erna Barnes was born in Fairy Hill Saskatchewan on October 22 1924. She was the oldest of 12 children born to John and Magdelena Armbruster. Her formative years were spent in the Qu'Appelle Valley on the family farm in fairly idyllic circumstances where she was surrounded, lovingly by parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles. When she referenced those days it was with great fondness accompanied by many good memories. Unfortunately the dirty 30's hit and hit bard. John and Magdelena lost the family farm when the bank repossessed it in 1939. Young Gertrude was 15 when the family moved to Star City in the dead of winter December of that year. This resilient German family, by their resourcefulness and strength took a shattering loss and transformed it to a place where all flourished. Through their kind, thoughtful ways a legacy was born and is passed on through generations to come. Gertrude, in order to attend and finish high school had to board in town. She paid for her board and room by working for the family. From there she went on to teachers college where she eventually accepted a teaching post at Pearl Lake. It was there that she was introduced to the Barnes Clan and lived in the teacherage on their homestead. She married Everett Lawrence Barnes in 1947 at the court house in Saskatoon. They raised 5 children in a 3 room shack with no running water, no telephone, no Google, internet or Facebook. In 1965 they upgraded to a much larger house on their own land where Gertrude planned then planted an orchard, vegetable garden and flower garden. She received much satisfaction from her labors and planted by hand the many trees. By supplying habitat for the many birds who called her yard home she developed another interest. She was an avid birder. She maintained this farm life, house, garden, yard and continued to raise her 5 children. She was very involved in 4H and in general in the precious community of South Allan in the MD of Lost River. She was active, organized and vocal. Her strong voice was heard at many functions. Her youngest daughter Cathy, one day asked “Mom, I would like a quilt”. Thus began another life long passion. She made quilts for her children, siblings, parents, grand babies, friends, friends of friends. She made quilts for cherished pets, and checkerboard floor games. Mom produced, prolific projects which were meticulously documented by herself. Mom and dad moved to Watrous in 1999. Sadly, dad died in 2000 at the ripe old age of 93. Later mom met Frank Edwards her second husband and married him in 2005. They had a happy but brief marriage. She included his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to her fold. She never shied away from any responsibility or request. She inspired those around her. She was active, forthright and stable. She was not afraid to try new things even if it was only that once like the fall she made horseradish. Everyone's sinuses were crystal clear that fall and a good part of the winter too. If there is anything that exemplifies our mother's personality, it is her last words which were “I have no intention of staying in this bed all day!” She was predeceased by both husbands and our brother Henry. She is so very sadly missed by her children: Arthur (Marilyn), Hazel, (Joachim Obst), Susan, and Cathy (Glen Herman) and daughter-in-law Sharon Adams; grandchildren: Stacy Barnes (Kim), Keith Barnes, Allison (Graham Weenk), Elizabeth, Luke and Daniel Syrnick, Anna, Marshall Herman; great-grandchildren: DaCota, Kaden, Svea Barnes, Eleanor Syrnick, Isabelle Weenk-Kurysh, Henry Weenk. She is fondly remembered by her siblings, many nieces and nephews, all Barnes relatives, friends, community, and the many people her life touched. A Memorial Service was held in All Saints Anglican Church, Watrous, SK on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. A Memorial Reception was also held in the Watrous Seniors Drop-In Centre. A Private Family Interment in Hillcrest Cemetery Saskatoon followed. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation in her memory to the Watrous Rotary Club - Walking Trail Project C/O Dan Mierau, 306 William St., Manitou Beach, SK S0K 4T1 please visit http://www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com
Oct. 22, 1924 – Feb. 18, 2019
Gertrude Erna Barnes was born in Fairy Hill Saskatchewan on October 22 1924. She was the oldest of 12 children born to John and Magdelena Armbruster. Her formative years were spent in the Qu'Appelle Valley on the family farm in fairly idyllic circumstances where she was surrounded, lovingly by parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles. When she referenced those days it was with great fondness accompanied by many good memories. Unfortunately the dirty 30's hit and hit bard. John and Magdelena lost the family farm when the bank repossessed it in 1939. Young Gertrude was 15 when the family moved to Star City in the dead of winter December of that year. This resilient German family, by their resourcefulness and strength took a shattering loss and transformed it to a place where all flourished. Through their kind, thoughtful ways a legacy was born and is passed on through generations to come. Gertrude, in order to attend and finish high school had to board in town. She paid for her board and room by working for the family. From there she went on to teachers college where she eventually accepted a teaching post at Pearl Lake. It was there that she was introduced to the Barnes Clan and lived in the teacherage on their homestead. She married Everett Lawrence Barnes in 1947 at the court house in Saskatoon. They raised 5 children in a 3 room shack with no running water, no telephone, no Google, internet or Facebook. In 1965 they upgraded to a much larger house on their own land where Gertrude planned then planted an orchard, vegetable garden and flower garden. She received much satisfaction from her labors and planted by hand the many trees. By supplying habitat for the many birds who called her yard home she developed another interest. She was an avid birder. She maintained this farm life, house, garden, yard and continued to raise her 5 children. She was very involved in 4H and in general in the precious community of South Allan in the MD of Lost River. She was active, organized and vocal. Her strong voice was heard at many functions. Her youngest daughter Cathy, one day asked “Mom, I would like a quilt”. Thus began another life long passion. She made quilts for her children, siblings, parents, grand babies, friends, friends of friends. She made quilts for cherished pets, and checkerboard floor games. Mom produced, prolific projects which were meticulously documented by herself. Mom and dad moved to Watrous in 1999. Sadly, dad died in 2000 at the ripe old age of 93. Later mom met Frank Edwards her second husband and married him in 2005. They had a happy but brief marriage. She included his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to her fold. She never shied away from any responsibility or request. She inspired those around her. She was active, forthright and stable. She was not afraid to try new things even if it was only that once like the fall she made horseradish. Everyone's sinuses were crystal clear that fall and a good part of the winter too. If there is anything that exemplifies our mother's personality, it is her last words which were “I have no intention of staying in this bed all day!” She was predeceased by both husbands and our brother Henry. She is so very sadly missed by her children: Arthur (Marilyn), Hazel, (Joachim Obst), Susan, and Cathy (Glen Herman) and daughter-in-law Sharon Adams; grandchildren: Stacy Barnes (Kim), Keith Barnes, Allison (Graham Weenk), Elizabeth, Luke and Daniel Syrnick, Anna, Marshall Herman; great-grandchildren: DaCota, Kaden, Svea Barnes, Eleanor Syrnick, Isabelle Weenk-Kurysh, Henry Weenk. She is fondly remembered by her siblings, many nieces and nephews, all Barnes relatives, friends, community, and the many people her life touched. A Memorial Service was held in All Saints Anglican Church, Watrous, SK on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. A Memorial Reception was also held in the Watrous Seniors Drop-In Centre. A Private Family Interment in Hillcrest Cemetery Saskatoon followed. For online condolences, tributes or to make a donation in her memory to the Watrous Rotary Club - Walking Trail Project C/O Dan Mierau, 306 William St., Manitou Beach, SK S0K 4T1 please visit http://www.fotheringham-mcdougall.com