Obituary of Gertrude "Gertie" Caroline McFarlane (nee Ast)

It is with great memories of a life well-lived, the children of Gertie announce she has been Promoted to Glory to join the love of her life, Billy! Born on May 16, 1930, Gertie married Bill on June 24, 1950. In 1955 they joined The Salvation Army and made it the church home for their family. Much time was spent serving their Lord and Saviour. They touched many lives, and their home was always open to anyone who needed a listening ear, encouragement, a meal or just an evening of playing games. Mom and Dad ‘adopted’ many people into the family who remain life-long friends.  Mom loved her time alone in her garden. Her tomatoes were legendary. She also enjoyed using the apples from the tree in the backyard to make apple pies. She always made enough raisin drop cookies to feed all the kids in the neighbourhood and her cabbage rolls were appreciated by everyone. It is great to see her grandchildren carrying on some of these traditions so the memories will be passed along to the next generation. Mom received a kidney from her sister, Lillian, 35 years ago. We were so grateful for this as it gave us so much longer to enjoy her presence in our lives.  Her passing on February 26, 2021, after a short battle with COVID-19, leaves the following family to mourn: Her children, John (Cath), Gord (Gwen), Deb (Doug) Runtz, Liz (Ronnie) Cormier, Karen (Alan) Hoeft, and Dan; her grandchildren, Christian (Maura Kearney) Argyll, Carrie (Ron) Dubé, Krystal (Gene) Ouellette, Trish (Brent) Timmerman, Jacquie (Jay) Brault, Matthew Runtz, Travis (Candace) Kent, Anja Runtz, Michelle (Evan) Rasmussen, Alyssa (Shane McKenzie) Hoeft, Dayna (Chad Leslie) McFarlane, Zachary (Kabeyi) Hoeft, Nathanael (Jessica) Hoeft, Aidan McFarlane, and Ethan McFarlane; numerous great-grandchildren; her sisters, Lillian Klassoff, Mary Toker, and Delores (Phil) Bouzovetsky; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Daniel William “Bill” McFarlane; daughter Alice McFarlane; great-grandson Carter Brault; her parents, Christian and Adolphina (Miller) Ast; parents-in-law, Daniel and Mary (Rutherford) McFarlane; her sisters, Katherina Ast and Nellie (Emil) Hodel; her brothers, Bill, Arnold (Audrey), Herman, and Otto (Elsie) Ast; brothers and sisters-in-law, Peter Toker, Fred Klassoff; Adeline (Fernie) Fuessel, Charlie (Ella) Deagnon, Aimée (Walter) McCarter; and Joe (Bessie) Deagnon; and son-in-law, Norm Kent.  We would like to thank the caregivers at the care homes where she resided for the last ten years of her life. Your care of our Mom through the years has been greatly appreciated. Donations in Gertie’s memory can be made online to The Salvation Army Haven of Hope Church, 2240 13^th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3M7 or to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1-2217 Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6A8. Due to COVID-19 restrictions a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.