Bertha was the firstborn child of Agnus and Olga Gillespie. She grew up South of Shellbrook. She attended the country school and completed her high school by boarding with a family in Shellbrook. Upon graduation, she took nurse’s training at St Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. After graduating, she worked at Rosthern Hospital for one year, and in 1953, she married Ken Johnson and settled on the farm in Canwood. Here they raised their three children, Karen, Glenys and Danny.  In 1987, they moved to town, and Danny took over the responsibility for the farm.

On the farm, she valued her garden, her flower beds, the appearance of the yard, and her home.  Her children’s education and church attendance were very important. She kept regular contact with family and friends over the years.  She would regularly write many letters to send out with her Christmas cards. She was involved with the local church and the ladies’ group. She was a volunteer on the Canwood housing board. She had a great interest in her community. She was a driver for many seniors and created close friendships in these connections. She was also involved in the senior activities.

Following her husband’s passing in 2005, Bertha continued to live independently and stayed involved in the community. In 2017, Bertha began to feel less able to live independently. This was when Bertha started to change; she was less determined and more accepting of help. She moved to an assisted living home in Shellbrook. A year and a half later, she was assessed to move into a nursing home, and fortunately, she was placed in Canwood.

To begin with, many of her previous friends from church were also in the home. Her room was across the hall from Doris Schwer whom she had graduated from grade 12 with. One day, while sitting around a table were Ruth Nordstrom, Doris Schwer, Hildegard Butz, Kaye Haugen and Bertha. This could have been a Lutheran lady’s aid gathering. As they one by one passed away, Bertha’s life flame dimmed. She slowly progressed to being unable to walk, speak, and lost all independence. It was a blessing for her and her family that the flame was extinguished, and she passed into glory.

A special thank you to the present and past staff at Whispering Pines Place. They cared for Bertha with love, respect and compassion. They are a blessing to the community.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children, Karen Johnson and Gary Robinson, Glenys Martin, and Danny (Tracey) Johnson; her grandchildren Nicholas (Joleen) Martin and Hennessy, Mila and Bohdi, Nathaniel (Deanna) Martin and Anika and Raya, Johnathan Martin and partner Kayla Tait. Ethan Johnson, Alyssa Johnson, Karina Johnson, and Noah Johnson.

She was predeceased by her husband Ken Johnson; her parents, Angus Gillespie and Olga Jamieson; her siblings, Mary Gillespie, Arnold Gillespie, Danny Gillespie and Isabel (Con) Richards; her infant grandchildren, Joshua and Zachary Martin; and her son-in-law, Darrel Martin.

The Funeral Service for Bertha will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, Canwood, SK.

In lieu of tributes, donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church (Box 358 Canwood, SK S0J 0K0).

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK 306-747-2828.

• Date : 2025-12-02
• Location : Canwood, SK