Maria Katharina Butz

To our great sadness, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend left us peacefully and suddenly on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the age of ninety-four. Maria was a bright light. She was the bedrock of our family: a sparkling personality who was gentle, kind, and generous. She kept home warm and welcoming, and her grace and graciousness were ever present.

Maria was born in Düren, Germany to Reiner and Maria Bergrath. She overcame adversity in her early life. Düren was destroyed during the Second World War and her father died suddenly in 1948. In the early 1950s, the Bergrath family decided to immigrate to Canada. Maria and her mother followed her brother, sister, and brother-in-law and began a new life in Edmonton.

In 1955, she fell in love with Franklin and they married within months. Their love and dedication to one another was inspiring. They were true partners as they raised three children, surmounted obstacles, built their beekeeping operation, and worked together on countless endeavors. Franklin and Maria enjoyed a marriage that would last more than sixty-six years. Maria died only three months after her beloved Franklin.

Maria loved flowers, the bounty of the garden, walking, and enjoying the beauty of nature. She loved the ocean and driving through the country. She was a voracious reader with a book always in hand. Maria’s grandchildren were her joy. Whenever she could help with something, she did. She and Franklin loved to entertain family and friends.

Maria will be remembered for her indomitable spirit in the face of adversity, for her phenomenal cooking, for her impeccable style and true elegance, for her positivity and patience, and most of all, for the tremendous love she shared with those who knew her. We were so lucky to have her by our side and she remains always in our hearts. She is greatly missed.

Maria is predeceased by her husband, Franklin; son, Harlan; sister and brother-in-law, Erika and Erich Schmitz; and brother, Hans Bergrath. Maria is survived by her son, Norman; daughter, Vivian (Alexander); grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; dear cousin, Matthias Heister and family, and other relatives in Germany.

Our family extends our deepest appreciation and gratitude to those who have been such wonderful support all these years.

A memorial service will be held at Lindale Community Hall on March 16, 2022 at 2:30 pm.