Elsbeth “Beth” Elaine Neufeld
January 1, 1949 – January 22, 2025
Elsbeth Neufeld passed away at Royal University Hospital on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the age of 76 years.
Born in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, third child of Arthur C. Warder and Magdalen E. (Pushie) Warder, Beth had a light that surrounded her from the beginning. She was a gentle child, involved in many community and school activities, with a large group of friends. She was an avid reader, an excellent student, and loved her school years declaring that when she was older, she would be a teacher. She obtained a BEd degree at the University of Saskatchewan and started teaching at LeRoy, Saskatchewan. After a couple of years, she decided to return to the UofS where she earned an MEd Degree in order to become a guidance counsellor. Hired first at Aden Bowman Collegiate in Saskatoon, she also served as a counsellor at Bedford Road and Marian Graham Collegiates in the same city. She was a tireless supporter of students helping in every way she could. Her colleagues admired her and upon her retirement presented her with a grand dinner and a special award. Subsequently, she remained on call for additional schoolwork and maintained a circle of friends from her counselling days.
Beth married Peter Neufeld in Saskatoon on July 16, 1976, and was devoted to him and his three daughters, Charmaine, Valancy and Janinne, for the next 48 years. They were fantastic hosts, making guests feel more than welcome. Beth and Peter travelled, attended cultural events, golfed and skied together for many years. They included relatives and friends in these activities on many occasions, favorite holiday spots being Waskesiu and Arizona. Beth maintained an active interest in physical fitness throughout her life establishing many good friends at the YWCA. She was also a lover of art and collected works of numerous noted Saskatchewan artists. She was referred to by her siblings as “The Good Sister” and always saw the best in every situation.
Beth waged a courageous struggle against a very aggressive type of cancer. She leaves in mourning her loving husband Peter; his daughters and their husbands Charmaine (Doug), Valancy (Kurtis), Janinne (Rob) and their families; sister Sherry (Ian) Dyck and their family; brother Keith (Cheryl) Warder and their family; sisters-in-law Helen Marchand and Norma Neufeld; close friends Reta and Tom Green, Karen and Wavell Howard and many others.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Lakeview Church, 19 Glazier Road, Saskatoon, SK. To watch the live stream please click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE ELSBETH NEUFELD
(A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above. The copy will be available for approximately 6 months.)
Donations in Beth’s memory can be made to the Saskatoon YWCA or to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre.
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
18 Comments
Sincere condolences to Beth’s family. She was a beautiful soul who shared her kindness and wisdom so graciously. Beth will be fondly remembered.
Beth was a wonderful friend, and counselling colleague. Barry and I are so sad to hear the news of her passing. We have so many lovely memories to cherish.
I had the privilege and good fortune to work with Beth at Bedford Road and Marion Graham Collegiates. She was a huge student advocate and tremendous staff member with strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Any school with Beth in it was a better school because she was there. She will be missed!
My sincere condolences to Peter and family. Beth (Miss Warder) was one of my favourite teachers, if not my favourite when I was in high school. She was one of the biggest positive influences in my life. She will be fondly remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her.
Thank you Alan. Beth, previously has talked about you Very positively.
What a privilege to have known her. She was a valued colleague at Marion M Graham Colkegiate. Always a smile a positive disposition . A warm and tender human being.
I moved in next door to Beth and Peter in Arizona where they spent winters. Kind, generous, compassionate, joyful , intelligent are just some of the words I can easily use to describe Beth. I can only imagine what a terrific teacher she was! I’m so very sorry to Peter, Cheryl, Keith and all of her family and friends for this profound loss. I’ll miss her.
Beth’s pureness of sprit was truly part of her being. Pureness of spirit. She added sparkle and meaning and joy to whatever was going on. She was the finest ambassador for family, friendship, literature, and learning, always with a generous serving of enthusiasm and good will.
Graceful, dignified, joyful, always including. That’s Beth.
Another Saskatoon girl once wrote and sang “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone””
We know what she meant
.
I was very lucky to have worked with Beth. I was her secretary while she was a Counsellor at Marion Graham. She would light up the room with her bright smile and cheerfulness. The students and staff adored her! Thanks for the memories Beth❤️. Sending my sincere condolences to Peter and family.
Very sad to hear of Beth’s passing. I was fortunate to have golfed with her at moon lake. Lovely lady. Deepest sympathy to her families 💕
Such a dear friend with many memories shared over 34 years. She had a desire to study God’s word and grow deeper in her faith, and this is where our friendship with Peter and Beth grew. We had the privilege of sharing this walk with them.
I can imagine God saying to Beth now “ Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Such sad news! I sat behind Beth in 12th grade. She was the school president and was always so thoughtful and kind toward her classmates. Such a light in this world of darkness. Rest in peace Beth. See you in the heavenly morning! Gail
We were blessed to have Beth in our Neufeld family and we cherish the many good times together with Beth and Peter. Beth was the gracious cousin who lit up the room with her warm smile. She was an example to many with her positive attributes of joy, acceptance, wisdom, compassion, enthusiasm, kindness, faith, and more. She will be greatly missed, but fondly remembered. We send our prayers and sincere condolences to Peter and his family, to her siblings, Sherry and Keith and their families.
So sorry to hear of Beth’s passing. She & I graduated from the same class at Birch Hills High School. She was always cheerful, kind and a great classmate. May she rest in peace.
Sandra Wait Messner
When I first met Beth, she gave me a big smile and welcomed me to their home. For a prospective brother-in-law, this was most reassuring. Next day she was grinning in anticipation of her grade 12 graduation as she showed off her dress. Later, in a quiet moment, she said she expected that the next few days would be exciting and important, but she was really looking forward to university. Beth was like this for the rest of her life – open, alive, caring, optimistic, adventurous, while also being responsible, intelligent, well-informed, stylish, fit, and full of good humour. I am so sad she is gone. Beth was a beautiful person who made lives all around her better.
I was deeply saddened when I learned of Beth’s passing. Growing up in Birch Hills I have many fond memories of time spent at the Warders. Hugs and prayers to all the family.
Beth was an amazing counsellor, colleague and friend. Our friendship started at the U of S and continued through work, family connections and great times especially in Arizona – blues festivals, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, picnics, good conversations and laughter. We both valued our friendship so much and always looked forward to seeing each other. I will miss her dearly. Sending love to Peter and her wonderful family.
Beth was my sister in law but more importantly she was my friend. She welcomed me into the family with open arms and a huge smile. We had many wonderful trips together with family and friends. We went to the gym together golfed together and lots of girls lunches out. We worked together on family outings and meals in perfect harmony I will missed her so so much 💕
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