Berta (Tritthardt) Haidt

It is with great sadness that the family of Berta Haidt, age 88, announces her passing on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Herbert & District Integrated Health Facility after a lengthy 22-year battle with cancer.

Berta was born December 26, 1933 to August & Philippine Tritthardt in New Nest (Neu Oneschti), Russia. She was born prematurely at one pound and a half and was kept warm near her mother’s stone oven. Berta loved all her animals on the farm, gardens, flowers, family, friends, and cooking delicious meals. She was a strong woman her whole life.

As a young girl she was a refugee throughout WW2 with her family. Her family was fortunate to survive through the war and Berta’s family was forced out of Russia on a train in 1940 — where they ended up in Czechoslovakia from 1940-1941. They were then sent to a farm in Poland in 1942, where her family had to grow food and give it back to the country. Berta and her sister had to take food to the concentration camp in Auschwitz — one time when they were entering the camp a potato fell out and all the kids came running to grab the food as there was no guards present at that time.

During Berta’s time in Poland she was hospitalized for 11 months with Tuberculosis.  Berta and her family were forced out of Poland in 1944 and had to take a wagon train during a bad, cold winter. They ended up in West Germany in 1945 and then lived in North Germany.

Berta attended school until she was 15, when it was time to be done school and start work. She worked in a Café as well as being a Nanny. Before Berta chose to move to Canada, she went to South Germany and said goodbye to her family. Berta wanted to live somewhere new and safe, so she moved to Canada in November of 1952 where she arrived at Uren, SK by train. She chose Uren because her uncle’s family sponsored her to come. She then stayed at her Uncle Valentine Mann’s farm south of Chaplin, SK. Berta had a job within five days of arriving, she worked at a café in Chaplin until the spring of 1953. After that she got a job at the Ernfold Café called “Coffee Car,” where she worked until they switched to a new building and called it the “Green Light Café.”

Berta worked at the Café in Ernfold until she got married to Martin Haidt on October 27, 1954. After getting married, Berta & Martin lived north of Ernfold until 1961, when they purchased the Fred McDowell farm south of Ernfold. There, they had their cattle and grain farm — which continues to operate today. Berta was always busy tending to her garden, flowers, and animals on the farm. She always made sure everyone was well fed and taken care of and Berta’s grandchildren were all fortunate to have her as a babysitter throughout the years.

Berta is survived by her children Brenda (Kevin Sydia) Haidt, and Barry (Nickie) Haidt; her grandchildren, Shauna Fjaagesund, Martin (Amber Strauch) Fjaagesund, Brittany (Tristan) Silvester, Kyle (Kelsey Jordan) Haidt, and Brooklynn (Danny) Zmud; and by her great-grandchildren, Martin Fjaagesund and Aubrey Silvester.

Berta was predeceased by her husband, Martin Haidt; her son, Martin Lloyd Haidt; her son-in-law, Martin Allen Fjaagesund; her parents, August & Philippine (nee Mann) Tritthardt; her brothers and sisters, Maria, Valentin, Ottilie, Karola, August, Heinrich, and Johann; her parents-in-law, Martin & Salomea (nee Veil) Haidt; her brother and sisters-in-law, Jacob, John, and Eva Haidt; and by many other close friends and family.

Berta will be enjoying all her visits with family and friend that predeceased her. Her advice on how to grow a garden, cook a meal or dessert, and tend to animals will be dearly missed. Her endless love for each of us and care for us all will forever be cherished.

The Funeral Service for Berta Haidt was held on Friday, December 30, 2022 at 1:30 pm from the Chaplin Lutheran Church, Chaplin, SK with Pastor Marvin Seaborg officiating. The soloists were Kevin Beach and Warren Beach, Sue Naslund served as pianist. The eulogy was given by Brittany Silvester. The ushers in the church were Maureen Strathdee and Gerald Smith. The service was recorded and will be posted as soon as possible. The service card is available to view below

The Interment Service was held from the Ernfold Cemetery, Ernfold, SK with Kyle Haidt, Tristan Silvester, Danny Zmud, Greg Van Loosen, Brittany Silvester, and Brooklynn Zmud serving as Pallbearers. The Honorary Pallbearers were Shauna Fjaagesund, Martin Fjaagesund, Amber Strauch, the Herbert Integrated Facility Staff, and all the friends she shared so many memories with.

In memory of Berta Haidt, donations made to the Ernfold Cemetery Association and the Ernfold Parks & Recreation Hall would be appreciated by the family.

Berta's funeral service was recorded and can be viewed here.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Berta (Tritthardt) Haidt, please visit our floral store.