Bertha Ellen Mehlsen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Bertha Ellen Mehlsen.

Bertha was born on April 11, 1928, in Waterhole, Alberta, to Ben and Alice Basnett and was the oldest of 15 children. She attended school in Eureka River. Bertha married Bennie Mehlsen on January 27, 1949, in Fairview, Alberta. They homesteaded in Eureka River, where they farmed for over 50 years and raised five children: Billy, Becky, Karen, Jo, and Evie. Bertha loved the farm in Eureka River, where she and Bennie worked hard to clear the land so they could farm it. Bertha loved gardening, then canning or freezing all the vegetables and fruit from her fruit trees. She made amazing meals as she was a wonderful cook. She also liked curling, swimming, knitting, quilting, and ceramics, and loved going to bingo. Bertha moved from the farm to Garrison Manor in Fairview after Bennie passed away. She enjoyed the Manor, but missed the farm and Bennie. She later moved to Edmonton to be closer to her daughters, who visited her often, which she loved.

Bertha leaves to mourn, her daughters Becky (Garry) Connery, Karen Savage, Jo (Don) Paulencu and Evie Mehlsen (Brian Huffman); her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jenn (Mike) and their daughters Brynne and Keltie Shrimpton, Jody (Katherine) and their daughter Peyton Savage, Cameron Shanks, James (Amie) and their children Lillian and Wyatt Savage, Julie (Marc) and their daughters Kennedy and Kamryn Turcotte, Elaine (Travis) and their children Tristan and Kylie Lyle, Lacey (Cole) and their sons Blake and Beau Miller, as well as five sisters, three brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Bertha was predeceased by her husband Bennie, her son Billy, her son-in-law Richard Savage, and her grandson Scott Connery. As well as her parents, Ben and Alice Basnett, four brothers and two sisters.

A Celebration of Bertha’s Life will be held on Friday, July 4th, 2025 at Eureka River Hall at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Eureka River Cemetery fund.

Care entrusted to Peace Valley Funeral Home, Fairview (Kristi Heck) 780-835-3306

Bertha's service may be viewed here.

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