MATTHIAS – Fern Marie (nee Surratt)
July 4, 1915 – June 1, 2008
Fern Marie Matthias (Surratt) passed away on June 1, 2008 at Wentworth Manor in Calgary. She lived 92 years fully and completely.
Fern was born in Bentley on July 4, 1915. She worked tirelessly on the farm with her parents until 1942 when she married Gordon Matthias who she loved dearly. They moved to Rimbey in 1947 and lived there until Gordon’s retirement in 1972. They had 25 wonderful retirement years together. Family was the centre of Fern’s life and she was loved by all those close to her. She was an exemplary wife and mother. Fern was a devout Christian and worked actively in her church throughout her life.
Fern was predeceased by her husband and best friend, Gordon, in 1997, her brother Don in 1996, and her granddaughter Jacqueline in 1994.
Fern will be missed by her daughters and their husbands Ada and Garry Helzer and Diana and Ken Prentice, her granddaughter Shelley Walker; her grandsons and their wives John and Sara Helzer and David and Susan Helzer and three great-grandsons Brayden, Michael, and Aedan. She will also be missed by her chosen “daughter” and her husband, Alice and Raymond Tschabold.
Fern’s ashes will be interred with those of Gordon and Jackie in the columbarium at the Calgary Crematorium (located within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) in Calgary.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd., Wentworth Manor, 5717 – 14 Avenue S.W., Calgary T3H 3M2. To email expressions of sympathy: ccl@hffs.com, subject heading: Fern Matthias.
HERITAGE FUNERAL SERVICES
“Calgary Crematorium Chapel”
3219 - 4th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2M 3A6 Telephone: (403) 299-0111 Fax: (403) 282-1399