Cathy Wind

1954 - 2021

Catherine Margaret Wind (nee Ypma), beloved wife of Mike Wind, passed away at home after a hard fought battle with cancer on Friday, April 2, 2021 at the age of 66 years.

As a result of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 and the government recommendations, a private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden. A private funeral service was held at the First Christian Reformed Church, Taber on Friday, April 9, 2021.

 To view a recording of the service, click on the 'livestream link' on this page.

Besides Mike, her husband and best friend of forty six years, Cathy is survived by their seven children Monica (Terry) and her children Katie (Eric) John and Nathan; Karen (Scott) and her son Alex; Jeremy (Erin) and their children Madison, Jayden, Abigail, Levi and Bethany; Linda (Grant) and their children Bria, Emberly and Annika; Rachel (Darrel) and their children Hannah, Aiden, Jaxon, Tyson and Genevieve; Cheryl (Scott) and their children Reece and Mason; Kevin (Pam) and their children Leah, Cameron, Avery and Naomi. She is also survived by three brothers, two sisters and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, grandson Miguel, son-in-law Justin Hall, brother Siebe Ypma, brother-in-law Klaas Linker and Mike's parents John and Evelyn Wind.

Cathy was born in Strathroy, Ontario, the youngest of seven children of Anne and Minke Ypma. She grew up on the farm in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Cathy waitressed through high school and then gained employment with the federal government. One day, while visiting her older sister, she met a long haired trucker named Mike Wind. It was love at first sight, for him anyway. He followed her and her family to Southern Alberta in 1975, where they married shortly after and began farming potatoes with her brothers. In 1989, they struck out on their own, and Windiana Farms was born.

Their marriage was one that their children can only hope to emulate. They were partners in business and in life. They took care of and respected each other and were a true vision of what love and ultimate friendship can be. They loved traveling and were able to see much of the world. Their favourite travel destination was Arizona, where they spent many happy weeks at their home there.

For those who didn’t know Cathy well, they would likely describe her as kind, gentle and perhaps a bit shy and they would be right. But those who had the privilege of knowing her best will also fondly remember her dry, quick wit, her sarcasm and her stubborn streak.

Cathy had the definition of a servants heart, always ready to do for others, preferably behind the scenes. She had a solid, unwavering faith and while she wasn’t ready to leave just yet, she had lived her life knowing that death is just the beginning of eternal life with Jesus.

“We could go on and on about our precious mom. How her eyes would squint and she wouldn’t make a sound when she laughed really hard, her empathetic ‘mom face’ that could bring us to tears. The single syllable that let you know she disapproved of something, her eye roll at dads jokes, her numerous domestic skills, her dislike of games and her strong work ethic, but the most important thing you need to know about her is how much she loved her family. Besides her faith, family was everything. She loved us so deeply that the idea of our family without her, the glue, feels nearly impossible and leaves us with an ache that will last forever.”

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Cathy’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Box 767, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2L4 www.foodgrainsbank.ca.

Cathy’s family would like to thank Dr. Smuts, Tammy and the entire home care team, Dr. Armstrong, the staff at Jack Ady Cancer Centre and the Johnson’s pharmacists for going above and beyond in their care for her.