Bertha EGGERTSON

EGGERTSON, Bertha Solveig
(nee Andreassen)
Professional Home Economist, School Teacher, Farmer, Mother and Grandmother
Born in 1928 in Prince Rupert, British Columbia to Norwegian immigrant parents Olaf (a fisherman) and his wife Elena, she joined sister Ruby, age four, and brother Harry, age two. The untimely passing of her mother when Bertha was only three, resulted in the siblings relocating to Huxley, Alberta where they lived with their Aunty and Uncle Jensen and five cousins (Bert, Holly, Inga, Ed and Arn) in a three room house. Bertha often reminisced about the train trip with her siblings, done without adult supervision, and how older sister Ruby would tuck her in at night and watch over her and Harry.
Higher education was very important to a girl raised in a farming community with its one room school house. She first went to Camrose Lutheran College to complete high school, then Olds School of Agriculture, the University of Alberta, and then the University of Manitoba where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics (and met her future husband Tommy). When the family lived in Calgary she completed a Teaching degree at the University of Calgary and then completed a Master's Degree at the University of Alberta. Bertha had many fond memories (and humorous antidotes) of her time at school and actively encouraged both her children and grandchildren to pursue post-secondary education.
Bertha was masterful in many aspects of fiber arts including pattern design, sewing, knitting, and weaving. Understanding the importance of fabric characteristics was evident in her work with Alberta Agriculture and in her Master's Thesis on how a farmer's clothing should be used to protect them from chemicals used on the farm. Bertha taught sewing, entrepreneurial strategies and other skills in communities across Alberta, including Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She was a Fabric Arts Judge at the Calgary Stampede for fifteen years, and an active member of the Alberta Home Economics Association.
A dedicated career woman who travelled throughout Alberta, she worked very hard to balance work and family life. After graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1950 she moved to Westlock, Alberta to work for the Alberta Agriculture as a District Home Economist. Unusual for the time, she was provided with a work vehicle and traveled around Northern Alberta by herself. Her territory ranged from Westlock up to Peace River with stops in Amber Valley, Plamondon and other communities. Bertha loved meeting and working with the community members on "life practice improvements" and with their children in the 4H clubs.
Tommy (later shortened to Tom) and Bertha married in 1952 and moved to Calgary in 1953. Their family grew with the birth of young Thom (Judith) and a year later Christopher (Ingrid).
For many years she was involved in a part-time teaching position at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She also appeared on "live" television doing commercials for Highliner frozen fish products and as one of the hosts for the Blue Flame Kitchen. She completed an Education degree at the University of Calgary 1968 and subsequently taught at St Francis High School for five years.
In 1973 when her two sons were in University she moved full time to the farm at Pine Lake to raise Charolais cattle. However, in 1979 Tom suffered a heart attack and the farm focus was simplified with Texel sheep replacing the cattle.
Bertha returned to Alberta Agriculture in 1979 in the position of "Textile Specialist". She became a weekly commuter, working in Edmonton (or other parts of Alberta) weekdays and at Pine Lake on the weekends. This position provided an opportunity to work with researchers at the Faculty of Home Economics at the, University of Alberta, where she completed her Master's thesis on the use of the protective clothing when handling pesticides and other chemicals. The results were used to promote the safe handling of pesticides and most importantly create awareness of how work clothing, and baseball caps, held the chemicals, even after washing, and impacted people's health. She also led a program to utilize geo fabrics around watering holes and other areas to reduce soil erosion.
In 1993, Bertha retired. The following year the farm was sold and she and Tom moved back to Calgary to spend more time with family (including four grandchildren - Matthew, Christopher, Quinn and Carin; sons – Thom and Christopher, and daughters- in-law – Betty and Ingrid), her sister Ruby and many friends.
Tom died in 1996. Bertha kept very busy serving on the condo board and engaging with family and friends. A lover of dogs, she spent many a happy hour walking her border collies Dawn, and then Maggie, around the wilder trails of Calgary.
In 2013, she moved to a supported living community where she prospered.
Instead of saying simply goodbye to visitors she often use a phrase from a 1950's song sung by Bill Haley and the Comets "see you later alligator" expecting the musical response "in a while crocodile".
So a fond farewell to Bertha and "In a while crocodile!"
In lieu of flowers please send donation to the "Alzheimer Society of Alberta".
The funeral will be a family affair.