Quiring, Bertha Dueck (1930-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Aug 11 p. 29

Birth date: 1930 Dec 25

text of obituary:

BERTHA QUIRING

Bertha Quiring of Calgary passed away June 21. She was bom Dec. 25, 1930 to Frank and Tina Dueck in Coaldale, Alta. She had a need to explore. She loved the outdoors and adventure. Hard work was never a problem for her. She completed high school in Vancouver, then moved to Calgary, where she completed a B.Ed. and taught in the Calgary public education system, retiring in 1990. She took great interest in her students, especially the unnoticed or wounded child. She wanted to implant lessons of life into her children. At church, she provided educational skills in Sunday school organization and teaching, hospitality and reaching out to those needing a healing touch. She taught in Cali, Colombia 1968-73. Here she adopted 2 children, Julie, then Kathy. In 1975 she married Alfred Quiring, who had 3 children, Jackie, Charlene and Andy. She took up the challenge of blending the 2 families. She had a strong, immovable faith. In retirement, she focused on her gift of hospitality and her role as grandmother. She was a perfectionist and had high expectations of herself. In 1998-99 she and Al cared for her mother until last November when her mother moved to a nursing home. Bertha went beyond the call of duty. When her children or grandchildren hurt, she hurt; their gains were her gains. She was the glue that held her family together. She took time to have fun and to enjoy nature alone or with her family. She is mourned by Al; children Jackie Buhler of Nairobi, Kenya, Charlene Ratzlaff of Calgary, Kathy Doerksen of Coaldale, Julie Friesen of Morris, Man., and Andy of Scandia, Alta.; 16 grandchildren; her mother, 6 sisters and 3 brothers. The funeral was June 26 in Highland MB Church, Calgary, with Harry Heidebrecht ministering.