Barbara BUHR

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BUHR: Barbara Buhr (nee Derksen).  Following an 8 year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Barbara Buhr, age 79, of Mayfair, Sask. slipped peacefully out of this life and into the arms of her Lord and Saviour, on April 10th 2020. Left to celebrate the legacy of her unconditional love are: her deeply devoted husband, Abe Buhr, and their inspired and admiring children and grandchildren: Valerie (husband Les, their children James (wife Mia), Raina and Jaxon); Pamela; Mark (partner Huong Pham, his children Jasper and Solomon); Dennis (wife Rachel, their children Ben and Samuel) and many nieces, nephews, friends and family. She leaves behind her big brother David, and was predeceased by her Father (William Derksen), her Mother (Nettie Redekopp), her sister (Anne Bernardin), along with her half sisters and brothers, Tina, Helen, Maria, Jakob, and Bill. Her youngest sister Nettie Turko passed away just 5 days after Barbara. Growing up on a farm in post-Depression era Saskatchewan prepared Barbara to work hard, appreciate the little things, and take nothing for granted. During her 20’s, Barb worked for several years as a nanny and housekeeper in numerous homes in North Battleford, Saskatoon and then Winnipeg, where she was introduced to a wider world and developed her dignified poise, fashion sense, and culinary skills. It was no surprise that a dashing and rugged PFRA foreman named Abe Buhr, would fall in love when he met the beautiful and carefree Barbara Derksen, or that the two would marry. The year was 1964. They settled in Winnipeg and started a family soon after, raising 4 children in the St James area before moving to Brandon where Abe sold dairy equipment and Barb made a mean rhubarb platz (and saskatoon pie, and poppyseed loaf and donuts and warenike with schmaundt fat and everything else in the Mennonite cookbook). Barb always felt that anything worth doing well, was worth doing in batches. Thus, she kept the freezer full of cinnamon buns and meat perishkies in readiness for any visitors, and the invitation was always open. Despite many apologies made in advance of the first bite, she consistently turned out meal after glorious meal for her family and friends, never letting on that she never really liked cooking. Perhaps it was the singing that lightened the load, or her ready, infectious smile or her true grit character that never, ever complained of a hardship.  Indeed, to “do everything as unto the Lord'' (Col. 3:23) was scripture lived out, no matter what the day would bring. Maybe it was just pure love issuing from a familiar hearth where she had once felt it most from her Mom. Whatever it was, for those on the receiving end, her love language was eloquently spoken in food, and she poured her heart out. In Brandon, deep and long-lasting friendships grew while immersed in events and activities at Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. Shy of the spotlight, Barb quietly and industriously thrived in a support role; cooking, baking, organizing, crafting, singing, assisting scripture memorization, or fastidiously praying for the needs of loved ones and strangers, near and abroad. When the kids could get themselves to and from school, Barb returned to the world of work as a hotel housekeeper, then later as a grocery store price checker prior to retirement, which gave more time for her favourite pastime.. shopping. Rarely buying for herself, her trips to the store were more ”reconnaissance for gift giving” than spending actual money and the principles of Proverbs 31 were behind every transaction. Thinking always of others, she made many beautiful quilts over her lifetime as treasures to give away, and on any given day could deploy an uncanny recall of whose birthday, anniversary or special day it was. Like the Carpenters’ song “On Top of the World'' which she often used to sing, Barbara saw “the wonder in most everything”, constantly drawing focus to the beauty of creation, inviting its celebration. On road trips, she was vigilant to spot any of God’s creatures that would venture close enough to be seen. In her garden, no butterfly left unadmired, no flower wilted unappreciated. Wild lady slippers were patriated to the yard, trees and shrubs were planted for different wildlife and her bird feeder brought constant delight with every feathered visitor, common or rare. An agent of Matthew 6:26, Barb cared for all birds with a faithfulness that stemmed from a deep knowing that she was similarly cared for by God. In truth, the simplest pleasures were the deepest joys for Barb; Veggies from her garden, melting butter on farm stand sweet corn, a hot cup of coffee, fresh bread and homemade strawberry jam. That's all it really took. But her greatest joy was having friends and family around her and playing host so others could enjoy themselves. “Christian cards” came out at every opportunity, and it was never about winning, it was often about ‘beating Dad’, but it was always about the laughter, the “schputting” and the sheer joy of time spent together. In fact, right until the end, when words were hard to come by, her words and thoughts were still inquiring of the health and happiness of others. Even her whip-crack wit and delight in playful mischief did not diminish. In the end, a disease that meant to dim her light, inadvertently blessed her family with the opportunity to return the love, pour their hearts out, and cherish her fully. She’d sidestep this suggestion, but Barb deeply lived a life of worship, expressing a simple faith in Jesus, trusting him to wash away all the sins she couldn’t bear and to give her “life beyond compare” as one of her favourite songs (The River by Brian Doerksen) says. And that is who she’s with, enjoying the reward of a life spent speaking the language of the kingdom of heaven, with the Saviour who poured Himself out for her. A memorial will be announced and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting some in honour of Barb.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 27, 2020