Andrew Alois Berting

With great sadness the family of Andrew “Andy” Berting announces his passing on October 29, 2024 at Calgary, with family by his side. Andy was born on April 6, 1932 to Joseph Berting and Elizabeth Gessner at St. Gregor, Saskatchewan, and was one of 14 children. 

Andy married Elizabeth “Betty” Harcourt on November 10, 1956 at Prince George, B.C., where their first three children, Rod, Laurie and Doreen were born. Andy and Betty built their first home with a hammer and a saw and by looking at other houses to figure out how they were built. It started his love for building. They then moved to Calgary, where their youngest, Al, was born. Andy began a carpentry apprenticeship, excelling and representing the province in the International Carpenter’s Contest in Las Vegas. He worked most of his career as a journeyman carpenter (and Jack of all Trades), taking great pleasure in hand-crafting fine furniture and cabinetry for his own home, family and appreciative customers. Andy also earned his private pilot’s licence and enjoyed flying his Cessna 150 around Calgary and to different locations. One of his favourite pastimes was watching old television shows, especially westerns. He enjoyed restoring old cars - a 1967 Mustang and a 1946 Ford. He had a special fondness for anything related to John Deere tractors, collecting toys and other memorabilia. Their Catholic faith was very important to Andy and Betty, and they volunteered many years with the Holy Name Catholic Church. 

Andy and Betty enjoyed entertaining at home, especially hosting large family gatherings in their comfortable backyard and basement parties surrounded by memorabilia, most given to him by dear friends Bob and Betty Bielen in Great Falls, Montana. Andy and Betty also enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. They made many trips to visit family in Saskatchewan, as well as trips to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and the other states, including visiting family members in California. When they visited family in Germany, Andy’s ability to speak and read German made the trip more memorable. Another highlight was taking a country western cruise where Andy met several of his favourite country stars. 

Andy was predeceased by his beloved wife Betty on June 17, 2023. He missed her every day since and has now joined her in Heaven. He was also predeceased by his parents, brothers George, Barney (Isabelle), Ernie (Bernice) John (Millie), Joe (Del) and sisters Clara (Pete) Pfneisl, Vi (Bob) Ellis, Irene, Cary Drachenberg, Lil (Vic) Ireland and brother-in-law Dan Oancia. Andy is survived by his children, brothers Ed (Bert) and Dan (Sally), sister Liz Oancia, and brother-in-law Ed Drachenberg, as well as grandchildren Mark and his children Braidon and Chloe; Scott; Kelly (Jon); Owen; Anna; Carmen (Mark) and their children William and Elizabeth; and Kyle (Roxanne) and their children Eric and Callie. 

Prayers will be held at Pierson’s Funeral Service - Forest Lawn Chapel (4121 17 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta) on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. The funeral service will take place on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church at 2223 34 Street SW, Calgary, Reception at 12:00 at Holy Name Catholic Church, followed by interment at 2:30 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, 1605 100 Street SE, Calgary.

If desired, memorial tributes may be made to the Alberta Diabetes Foundation or a charity of your choosing.