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BYSTROM

Catherine

1923 - 2014

Catherine passed away peacefully on June 21, 2014 at the Cochrane Bethany Care Center, at the age of 91 years. Catherine was born in Austria April 18, 1923 to Paul and Mary Hansinger. The family with the new addition of her brother Paul immigrated to Canada and homesteaded in the Leslieville/Bingley area. She loved attending school and her horse "Bill". Life was challenging during her early years, learning to speak English, helping the family breaking land, picking roots, milking cows, caring for siblings as well as experiencing the depression years and the "war" years. Her first job was at Evarts where she assisted with the post office and telephone exchange. It was at this time that she met and married Langton Wells in 1946 and they farmed in the Benalto area. After Langton's passing she relocated to Rocky and worked at the Rocky Hospital. She spent a year in Calgary earning her hair dressers certificate. In 1961 Catherine married Ed Bystrom and they farmed in the Centerville (Sylvan Lake area). After Ed's passing she moved to Red Deer where she was active in the business community for several years. On retirement Catherine moved to Peachland, B.C. where she enjoyed many happy years. She travelled to Europe, Bermuda, took several cruises and many motoring holidays with family and friends. Her Benalto friends Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jenson and Mr. and Mrs. Harrision Benner who had retired to Summerland were very special to Catherine. Mom and I spent the last ten years together and she loved her time in the Canadian Rockies. I was able to be her caregiver until the last five months when she was moved to the care center. It was a difficult adjustment as Catherine succumbed to Alzheimers. Wherever Catherine lived she gardened and numerous times created beautiful and peaceful havens. Although gardening was her passion during the summer, she was always busy knitting, sewing, quilting, needlework and of course her love of reading. Catherine is survived by her daughter Judy Riedner of Banff; her daughter-in-law, Marilyn Wells (MacDonald) of Scotch Creek, B.C.; her brother Peter Hansinger of Leslieville; her brother Will (Faye) Hansinger of Westbridge, B.C.; her grandson Grayson Wells of Kelowna; her grand daughter Tina Riedner of Calgary and her grandson Marcus (Sarah) Riedner and great grandson Sam Riedner of Calgary. Catherine is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Catherine was predeceased by her son Bruce in 2006. It was Catherine's request that she not have a funeral and that she be cremated. Catherine's internment will be in Mountain View Cemetery in Banff in the shelter of the Canadian Rockies she loved so much.