Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be held at 1:30PM on Saturday March 18, 2023 at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden with ash interment at the Emerson Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made in August's memory to the Salem Foundation Inc.
August Henry Berft
1927 ~ 2023
August was born September 8, 1927 in Emerson, MB to Emil and Lydia Berft. He was the seventh child of eight in the family. He learnt the skill of carpentry at a young age and worked alongside his brother-in-law, Bill for many years. August met Ruth Becker at Franks’ Café in Emerson and the 73-year love story began. They were married on a very muddy October day in 1949. Shortly after the wedding, they moved to Winnipeg for work, however they kept their roots in Emerson. Family was very important to both August and Ruth and on weekends they would come back to Emerson to help with farming or using his skill as a carpenter to build cabinets for family or friends. In the 1950’s, August worked a year and a half for CN Rail and then started at Christie Biscuits where he spent nearly 40 years working in many areas within the company. To the end, August still checked Christies’ cookie packages for quality control. In 1960, August and Ruth were blessed with their one son, Dean Gavin August. They broke the mold after he was born. After retiring from Christies’ August and Ruth moved back to Emerson. Many hours were spent working side by side with Dean at the Country Rose Café. In 2008, August and Ruth moved to Altona then in 2014 to Winkler to be closer to Dean and Marge. In 2020 after Ruth’s hip surgery, August and Ruth moved into the Gardens on Tenth in Altona where August made many friends. August was a gentle, kind and caring man. A stranger was only a friend whom he hadn’t met yet. It was very important to August to keep in touch with family, he would call to check in on everyone on a regular basis. August had a fall on February 23, 2023 and he suffered a hip fracture. He was taken to BTHC to have surgery. Unfortunately, August spent his last seven days in palliative care with his family by his side.
August passed into his eternal rest on Thursday March 2, 2023 with his family at his side. He will be greatly missed and leaves a big hole in our hearts.
Family would like to thank the medical staff and palliative care staff at BTHC for the wonderful care of both August and Ruth during the time spent there.
August Henry Berft
1927 ~ 2023
August was born September 8, 1927 in Emerson, MB to Emil and Lydia Berft. He was the seventh child of eight in the family. He learnt the skill of carpentry at a young age and worked alongside his brother-in-law, Bill for many years. August met Ruth Becker at Franks’ Café in Emerson and the 73-year love story began. They were married on a very muddy October day in 1949. Shortly after the wedding, they moved to Winnipeg for work, however they kept their roots in Emerson. Family was very important to both August and Ruth and on weekends they would come back to Emerson to help with farming or using his skill as a carpenter to build cabinets for family or friends. In the 1950’s, August worked a year and a half for CN Rail and then started at Christie Biscuits where he spent nearly 40 years working in many areas within the company. To the end, August still checked Christies’ cookie packages for quality control. In 1960, August and Ruth were blessed with their one son, Dean Gavin August. They broke the mold after he was born. After retiring from Christies’ August and Ruth moved back to Emerson. Many hours were spent working side by side with Dean at the Country Rose Café. In 2008, August and Ruth moved to Altona then in 2014 to Winkler to be closer to Dean and Marge. In 2020 after Ruth’s hip surgery, August and Ruth moved into the Gardens on Tenth in Altona where August made many friends. August was a gentle, kind and caring man. A stranger was only a friend whom he hadn’t met yet. It was very important to August to keep in touch with family, he would call to check in on everyone on a regular basis. August had a fall on February 23, 2023 and he suffered a hip fracture. He was taken to BTHC to have surgery. Unfortunately, August spent his last seven days in palliative care with his family by his side.
August passed into his eternal rest on Thursday March 2, 2023 with his family at his side. He will be greatly missed and leaves a big hole in our hearts.
Family would like to thank the medical staff and palliative care staff at BTHC for the wonderful care of both August and Ruth during the time spent there.