It is with great sadness that the family of Bernice Theodora Huxley (Harbers) announces her passing from this earth on August 7, 2022 at 79-years-old. Bernice leaves behind memories to her cherished children: Christine Kiemeny, Colleen (Todd) Wagner, Ken (Tammy Imbery), Don and her seven grandchildren: Meagan, Terri, Mitchell, Anthony, Amy, Alex and Adrianna. Bernice will also be remembered by her two sister-in-laws, Hilgonda and Tina Harbers and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Allen, parents Gerrit and Dora Harbers, her three brothers, Peter, John and Hank and sister, Gert. Bernice was born the youngest of five children to Gerrit and Dora Harbers. She grew up on a farm two miles north of Monarch, Alta. and attended her first eight years of school there. In Grade 9, she transferred to Nobelford. In the fall of 1961, she started her training for a Nursing Aide in Calgary at SAIT as part of a 10 month course. While taking this course, she was posted at two hospitals for practical training. Her first posting was at Cardston and the second in Three Hills. Back in the 60’s it was ‘the thing to do’ for the local boys to go to the hospital to check out the new nursing aides that came in every six weeks for training. Allen was no different. This was when Allen met Bernice who “lit his fire”. After Bernice’s final exams in ’62, she worked in Fort Macleod. Bernice then moved to Three Hills and worked at the Municipal Hospital for 10 months before she and Allen were married on April 23, 1965 at the Monarch Christian Reformed Church. She shared a birthday with her eldest son, Ken, on this day as well. In August of 1965, Bernice worked as a receptionist for Dr. Geoffery Haigh until January 1967. Shortly thereafter, they moved to the farm and Christine entered the picture, followed by Colleen in 1968, Ken in 1970 and Don in 1971. As a family, complete with four children, the Huxley’s were active in church, choir, youth groups, 4-H, garden club and many sports such as baseball and curling. Bernice always enjoyed family gatherings as her children gained spouses and then children of their own. Holidays like Christmas and Easter always plastered a smile on her face that never seemed to falter as she took in everyone’s chatter and activities if she wasn’t bent over a hot stove preparing a meal. We loved her for how deeply she loved everyone else. She was loyal to a fault and was always happy to be a part of the group. She was the nurturer in our family who overcame many health issues during her lifetime. She was a farmer’s wife with many skills like cooking, raising children, and driving a combine to name a few. She never turned down an opportunity to babysit her grandchildren or watch them in any activity they participated in as they grew older. Her generosity and love of her family will live on as her legacy. We know that she is now finally at peace with Dad and home where she belongs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta.
