Mathilda Helen (Schafer) Bustin

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Mathilda Helen (nee Schafer) Bustin 94 years, of Bethany Pioneer Village and formerly of Naicam and Humboldt announce the peaceful passing of their dear mother on Friday, August 5, 2016 at her residence.  Mathilda was born on June 16, 1922 to Frank and Mary (nee Rigetti) Schafer at Regina, SK.  She obtained her education at the Winnifred School and completed grade 11 at the convent in Phonteix.  She enjoyed sports and music.  Mathilda helped in the area of domestic duties until she met Bernard Bustin and they were wed in Glentworth on July 27, 1948.  Following their marriage they moved 3 ½ miles north east of Watson where they began their 30 year mixed farming career.  Together they were blessed with eight children: Bernadette, Martha, Barbara, Frank, Mary, John, Paul and Rosella who died in infancy.  In 1950, they built a beautiful two story home on the farm to accommodate their family.  Mathilda was a very strong, confident and hard working woman.  She worked very hard on the farm putting in huge gardens, which meant lots of canning especially rhubarb and strawberries. With this she enjoyed creating many tasty dishes for her family. She was a self taught seamstress and created all of her children’s clothing.  She was able to find some time to enjoy one of her favourite hobbies which was playing the organ.  Mathilda always ensured that no one left her home hungry.  With a house full, Mathilda kept very busy baking large batches of bread twice a week.  Along with her domestic duties she also worked closely with Bernard especially during seeding and harvest.  An extra pair of hands always came in handy.  To help supplement the farms finances, Mathilda would sell cream and vegetables to be able to purchase the groceries that they could not grow.  Everyone worked together to make ends meet and had fun in the process.   On Sundays, Mathilda and Bernard always made time for a family game of soft ball, this of course was after attending mass on a regular basis.  Her faith was very important to her and she continued to attend mass on a weekly basis as long as she was physically able to.  When she was able she played the organ regularly.  Mathilda was very strong in her faith and passed the morals and values of life through hard work and faith to her children.  In the fall of 1978, Mathilda and Bernard retired to Naicam.  They enjoyed some traveling and visiting to spend time with their children.  Unfortunately, their retirement together was shortened by Bernard’s passing in 1992.  While in Naicam she enjoyed knitting, crocheting and setting up many jig-saw puzzles her favourite past-time.  She remained in Naicam until the fall of 2004 when after much persuasion from her oldest daughter Bernie she moved to Humboldt.   This allowed her to spend more time with Bernie’s daughters which she really enjoyed.  She adjusted well to her move to Humboldt and what it had to offer on the social level.  She continued to visit with friends and family. In January of 2016 Mathilda was hospitalized and unable to live independently any longer and moved to Bethany in May where she enjoyed her short time there.  Her children and grandchildren brought her much happiness; she loved to spend time with them. Mathilda will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her five children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. BERNADETTE “Bernie” (Larry) Duerr of Fulda and daughters: Laurie (Justin) Gilks of Miramichi, NB and son Nixon and Amanda Duerr of Saskatoon; MARTHA Boychuck’s family: Jennifer (Ohm) Boychuck - Pinratana of Redmond, WA USA and Cheryl (Jeff) Tanner of Coeur D’Alene, ID USA; BARB (Chuck) Young of Portage La Prairie, MB and family Aaron (Amanda) Koss-Young of Whitehorse, YK and children Reily and Keanna and Jared (Amy) Young of Winnipeg, MB and daughter Emily; FRANK Bustin of Saskatoon and family Chris Bustin of Spiritwood and Jennifer Bustin (Josh Sommers) and children Abigail, Katey and Emily all of Spiritwood; MARY Bustin and family Susan Knapcik and Theresa Knapcik  and daughter Elizabeth Grovet all of Edmonton, AB; JOHN Bustin’s family: Amber Bustin (Devon Wills) of Edmonton, AB and children Dakota, Malachi and KayLynn and Janine Bustin all of Edmonton, AB; and PAUL Bustin of Edmonton, AB; and by numerous nieces and nephews.  Mathilda was predeceased by her husband Bernard Bustin; parents Frank and Mary Schafer; daughters: Rosella in infancy, Martha Boychuck and son John Bustin; sisters: Eleanor, Olga, Mary and Edith and brother Edelbert.

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