Barbara (Derksen) Buhr Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Barbara (Derksen) Buhr (Courtenay, British Columbia), born in Mayfair, Saskatchewan, who passed away on April 10, 2020, at the age of 79, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Barbara (Derksen) Buhr to pay them a last tribute. You may also plant flowers in honor of Barbara (Derksen) Buhr.

Following an 8 year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Barbara Buhr, age 79 from Mayfair, Saskatchewan slipped peacefully from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Good Friday. Left to miss her deeply, are her devoted husband Abe and children Valerie (& Les Wiens; their children James & Mia, Raina, Jaxon) of Courtenay, Pamela of Victoria, Mark (partner Kathy; his children Jay and Solomon) of Winnipeg, Dennis (& Rachel; their children Ben & Samuel) in England. Her big brother Dave/Fran is only Derksen left as both parents (William and Nettie Derksen), and sister Ann Bernardin and half siblings Tina, Helen, Maria, Jakob and Bill had passed. Her youngest sister Nettie Turko passed away just 5 days after Barb leaving husbands Rene Bernardin and Amil Turko and their children/grandchildren to mourn.
Growing up on a farm in post-depression era Saskatchewan prepared Mom to work hard, appreciate the little things and take nothing for granted. After working for several years as nanny/housekeeper in North Battleford, Saskatoon she moved to Winnipeg where she and dad met initially on a double date but paired with others until they sorted that out. They married in 1964 and settled in Winnipeg then Brandon to raise their 4 children while Dad worked selling dairy equipment. Mom made a mean rhubarb platz, Saskatoon pie, poppyseed loaf, donuts, wreneki and the rest of the Mennonite cookbook! Anything worth doing, was worth doing in batches so the freezer was always ready for any visitors and the invitation open. Despite many apologies made in advance of the first bite, she consistently turned out meal after glorious meal for family, friends and visiting relatives.
In Brandon, deep and long-lasting friendships grew while immersed in events and activities at Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. Shy of the spotlight, Mom quietly and industriously thrived in a supportive role; cooking, baking, organizing, crafting, singing, helping kids learn bible memory verses or praying for others. Mom returned to work in housekeeping and retail so she could support the family as well as her love of shopping. To join her shopping was her favourite treat and we saw it through her eyes as she kept others in mind for items they need or gifts for later rather than buying for herself. Mom also sewed and crocheted many beautiful quilts and those denim picnic blankets which she gave generously and we still treasure.
The simple pleasures were the deepest joys for mom; veggies from her garden, seeing the birds and creatures eating from all the feeders, hot bread buttered with a cup of coffee and watching a soap! But her greatest joy was having friends and family around her and hosting so others could enjoy themselves. Card games came out often and it was never about winning (though she sure did!), it was often about beating Dad (or helping someone to do so), but always the laughter, the ‘schputting’ and joy of time spent together.
In fact, right until the end when words were hard to come by, she still whispered inquiring of health and happiness of others. Her wit and mischief were appreciated by family and her care aides. In the end, although this disease took much from her but also gave her family the opportunity to return the love, cherish her and make much of small occasions. We also were privileged to watch our Dad care for mom well, advocate for her and show his love. We will always think of her with the first robin, in the garden, wish we could bring her one more bouquet and hug but imagine her whole, free and well loved by her Father in Heaven now and that is beautiful.
If you would like to plant a special flower in Mom’s memory we think she would have like that and we would be touched.

A family only memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 10th 2020 at 9:00 AM Due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions.