KATE TURNBULL

1910 - 2005

Katherine Turnbull (nee Chistie) of Grassy Lake, peacefully passed away at the Taber Hospital on Friday, October 7, 2005 at the age of 95 years.
Kate was born at Grassy Lake on February 24, 1910 to Angelo and Maria Chistie. The family moved to the area known as the sand hills northwest of Grassy to try homesteading along with countless other families. Over the next ten years they moved various times and finally settled three miles northwest of Grassy where she attended Antonio school. In her early years she helped her father and brother farm and in the winter worked cooking at places like the Continental Coal Mine, Grassy Lake Hotel, Holtman Ranch, and Taber Hospital.  In her later years she would tell of the hard times growing up but also of the fun she had going with friends to the many Saturday night dances.
In 1949 she married local resident Bruce Turnbull and together they would work at the family farm east of Grassy in the summer, and in the winter at the Holtman Ranch at Skiff. Over the years they moved into raising cattle and chickens, and up to a few years ago sold eggs from the farm. Her love of farming never diminished and after the passing of her husband, she continued to farm with the help of her son and loved to help with the harvest each year. She kept active working up until a few years ago when her health began to decline.
Katherine was predeceased by her parents Angelo and Maria Chistie, husband Bruce Turnbull, sisters Irene (Art) Stoke, Victoria (Ray) Kinkaid, Ann (Marion) Witbeck and one brother Otto Chistie. She is survived by her son William Turnbull of Grassy Lake and sister-in-law Katie Chistie of Creston, B.C. along with special relatives Doug and Joan Hazell and other brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephew.
Katherine's family asks that friends and relatives reflect back on the many times with her at community functions, family reunions, dances, Saturday night parties, Sunday and holiday meals, visits when people stopped by to buy eggs, and the countless cups of tea and sweets she served to anyone visiting.
A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Katherine's name may be made directly to the Taber Hospital Foundation, 4326-50 Ave., Taber T1G 1N9.