Bertha Haughian, long time resident of Outlook, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024. She was 96 years old. Bertha was the mother of six children.
Not only was Bertha a dedicated mother to her large family, she was also an active church member who constantly helped others in her parish and in her community.
Bertha is survived by her daughters: Sharon (Dr. Alan) Bewell of Hamilton, Ontario, Valerie Haughian of Toronto, Ontario, and Beverley (Kirk) Kezema of Melfort, Saskatchewan. She is also survived by her sons: Terrance (Brenda) Haughian of Outlook, Saskatchewan and Gary Haughian of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Bertha was grandmother to six amazing grandchildren: Dr. Carmen Weiss, Janet
Bewell, Mark Haughian, Rick Haughian, Tanya Solnicka, Jorja Kezema and Lauryn Kezema. She was also great-grandmother to 11 wonderful great grandchildren: Justin, Avalon, Caitlynn, Jaxon, Daneon, Treyton, Kasey, Rhian, Cohen, Elle and
Emery. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Bertha was born in Youngstown, Alberta to Margaret and Placidus Hettler who were immigrants from Bavaria, Germany and Odessa, Russia. She was raised on a farm 12 miles south of Youngstown with her older sister Theresa and her twin sister Martha.
They spoke German at home, helped out with chores and rode their horse to KeyStone School. In order to attend High School, Bertha was required to live away from home and she earned her room and board at the convent in Rockyford, Alberta by working in
the kitchen. Bertha was an excellent student who received outstanding grades in her courses. In order to ensure there was help running the farm, she and her sisters needed to take turns going to school. Many of Bertha’s courses were completed by correspondence to give her sisters the opportunity to attend school.
During her time helping out on the farm she met Clifford Haughian at a dance in Oyen, Alberta. They married on April 26, 1950 in Youngstown and moved many times during their marriage to accommodate Clifford’s work. Over the years, Bertha lived in
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Field, British Columbia, Banff, Alberta, Cutbank, Saskatchewan, Outlook, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Saint Brieux, Saskatchewan.
Bertha and Clifford had six children over a span of 18 years. Bertha was devoted to raising her children and never worked outside the home. She truly was the epitome of a domestic engineer, prioritizing the needs of her children above herself. Bertha was
widowed in 1972 and raised three small children by herself. Her strength, resilience and determination are qualities that were evident over the course of her life. Her ability to manage and to invest money was incredible. She prided herself on her ability to
complete her taxes by herself without using a calculator up until she reached the age of 90 years old. Her intelligence was also evident in her quick wit and in her ability to find humor in the smallest details of life.
Bertha was known as a great cook and she loved to bake for her family. Birthdays were celebrated with a perfectly baked angel food cake decorated with her delicious marshmallow icing. When visiting, Bertha would always have rice krispie squares, lemon loaf or other special treats waiting for her family. Bertha always welcomed a visit from her children and grandchildren and they loved being spoiled by her delicious baking.
Bertha’s faith was paramount in her life and she was an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Parish for over 40 years. She regularly attended Sunday mass and was considered a church leader by being the President, Vice President or treasurer of the Catholic Women’s League (C.W.L.) of her parish in Outlook for over 40 years. One of Bertha’s most memorable and meaningful
accomplishments was receiving her 50 year service pin from the C.W.L. She also dedicated her time to visit the sick and elderly as well as regularly served Meals on Wheels to community members.
Most of all Bertha loved her family and instilled in her children strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and will remain forever in their
hearts.