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330-18th Street North
Brandon, MB R7A 7P3
Phone: 204-727-0330
Fax: 204-725-0971

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Obituary for Bertha May Eilers

Bertha May  Eilers
Surrounded by her family Bertha May Eilers passed away peacefully at the Assiniboine Centre on February 14, 2017 at the age of 89. Bertha, the youngest of five children of Frederick George Morris and Hilda Grace Ashby, was born in Melita on October 31, 1927. The Morris family moved to the Oakner district in 1934 where Bertha took her schooling. On June 1, 1946 Bertha married Cecil John Cormack and they moved to the Cormack farm near Kenton, later moving their young family to Hamiota. As a stay-at-home Mom, Bertha was kept busy raising her young family but still found time to enjoy sewing and gardening. Thus began Bertha's love of plants and flowers--she always treasured a fresh bouquet of flowers. First and foremost Bertha was the matriarch of the family and as such kept her family together through some tough times. Her most important role was as a wife and mother to her five children and she stressed the importance of working hard, getting a good education, and finding success in one's chosen career. In 1975, Cecil, Bertha and Dennie moved to Killarney when Cecil opened up his barber shop in the Killarney Mall. Bertha studied to get her accreditation as a Health Care Aide and worked at the Bayside Nursing Home. In 1981, the family moved to Brandon and Bertha worked in the Food Court at the Brandon Shoppers Mall. Cecil and Bertha took up golfing after Cecil's illness and golfing became a life-long passion. After Cecil's passing Bertha would routinely play 18 or 27 holes of golf at Northern Pines before 10:00 a.m. daily. During this time Bertha also enjoyed attending Brian and Bradley's sporting, scouting and school activities. On October 7, 1994 Bertha married Joseph Paul Eilers and they enjoyed 22 wonderful years together. They loved to travel and spent five winters in Weslaco, Texas, followed by several trips to Victoria, BC where they enjoyed spending time with Larry, Chris and Kim. Bertha and Joe enjoyed golfing, ten-pin bowling, drives in the country and stops at the nearest casino. She also enjoyed spending time at Clear Lake, even more so when Josh and Jordan were able to visit. Bertha was a dedicated sports fan with her favourite team being her beloved Toronto Blue Jays. She and Joe were able to enjoy several bus trips to games in Minneapolis. More recently Bertha was the team's “best armchair coach” and could tell you all the stats for each of the players - she never missed a game on TV. In the winter she enjoyed following the Brandon Wheat Kings. In Bertha's later years she was faced with much adversity in the form of numerous health issues. Although most days she endured a lot of pain, she was not one to complain and would meet the challenges of each day with strength and determination. Bertha is survived by her loving husband Joseph Eilers, Brandon, MB; daughters Hilda (Raymond) Wood, Brandon, MB; Betty (Phil) Persian, Brandon, MB; sons Allan (Debbie) Cormack, Edmonton, AB and six grandchildren - Chris Cormack (Kara Lajeunesse), Port Alberni, BC; Kim Cormack, Victoria, BC; Josh Cormack and Jordan Cormack, Edmonton, AB; Brian Wood, Winnipeg, MB and Bradley Wood (fiancée Maria Salnik), Washington, DC. She was predeceased by her parents, all her siblings, her first husband, Cecil Cormack (1988) and her son Larry Cormack (2009). In keeping with Bertha's wishes a private graveside service took place at the Brandon Cemetery on April 28, 2017. Donations in memory of Bertha may be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada, Box 21047, Brandon, Manitoba R7B 3W8 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, #3, 2430 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, MB R7B 0M5. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Andrew Seitz and to all the staff of the Palliative Care Unit, Assiniboine Centre, especially Nurse Shantal, for their compassionate care of Bertha Eilers.
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