Bertha Masurat (nee Werner) was born May, 8, 1921 on a farm seven miles north of Springside, SK. She was the fourth child of the family of twelve children born to William and Julianna (Pedde) Werner. Her parents farmed and her father was also a finishing carpenter. When Bertha was seven her parents bought a larger farm five miles west of Springside. She attended Crossroads School until she finished grade eight. At that time she was forced to quit school to work on the farm because she was needed there. This was a great disappointment to Bertha because she was an excellent scholar. Bertha married Emil Masurat on July 17, 1941. The couple farmed five miles east of Springside. Their union was blessed with five children. Along with working tirelessly on the farm, Bertha was very involved with her children's activities. She enjoyed driving a car full of school children to different functions, leading 4-H activities or cooking at the Good Spirit Lake Baptist Church Camp. She was a 4-H leader in the Springside 4-H Club and later in the Yorkton Creators 4-H Club. Her contributions to 4-H were recognized in 1991 when Bertha was inducted into the Saskatchewan 4-H Hall of Fame. A dedicated member of the Yorkton Colony Quilter's Guild, Bertha was also a faithful member of Heritage Baptist Church. Bertha and Emil retired to Yorkton in 1972 and Bertha entered the work force first at the A&W and then at the Holiday Inn until she retired in 1994. Bertha loved to travel and took many trips with her travelling companion, Edna Ross. Bertha was predeceased by her husband, Emil in 1979; a grandson, Ragnar Alexander Ross in 1990; sons-in-law, Carl Potzus in 1998 and Richard Stiglitz in 2011. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Arlene, Gladys (Norm), Denis (Bonnie), Laura (Terry) and Linda (Marc). Bertha is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Jason (Jenn), Julianna (Nolan), Jennifer (Scott), Denise (Dale), Lorraine (Blair), Glenna, Linton (Kendra), Andrew (Orishia), Jordan and Jon (Allison) as well as 19 great grandchildren. Bertha is also survived by two sisters, Meta Weick and Marlene Werner, many nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends. Bertha will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed. The Prayer Service was held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Gail Ross officiating. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, April 19, 2013 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Lori James officiating. The organist, Jeanette Kriger, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Morning Has Broken", "Day by Day", "Just As I Am" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". Bertha's granddaughter, Julie Stiglitz shared words of tribute and eulogy and granddaughter, Jennifer Stiglitz shared a reading from Ecclesiastes. The Interment Service took place on Saturday, April 20, 2013 from the Springside Town Cemetery with Kathy Novak officiating. The pallbearers were Jason Stiglitz, Andrew Masurat, Dale Loucks, Nolan Mlazgar, Scott Heil and Jordan Masurat. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
