Theodore (Ted) Briggs
February 21, 1949 - March 29, 2023
As published in the April 10, 2023 World-Spectator
Theodore (Ted) Briggs, treasured husband of Hertha; devoted father of Connie (Tony) Maier, Sherrie (Kurtis) Meredith and Hollie (Clayton) Veresh; and cherished grandfather of Alyssa, Cameron, Kaitlyn (Dylan Fredlund) and Ryland Maier; Avery, Kadence, Kyrie Meredith; and Kaylyn, Hayley, Emily and Mya Veresh, passed away peacefully at the Southeast Integrated Care Centre (long-term care), Moosomin, Sask. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, with his loving family at his side.
Ted was born on February 21, 1949, to Roy and Iverine Briggs. He was the fourth child in a family of seven children and grew up on the family farm east of Whitewood. He attended Burrows Country School for three years and then completed Grade 12 at Whitewood School, graduating in 1968.
Ted started farming with his father, worked for Harry Cosgrave, operated the district snow blower, and drove school bus.
He married “thee best woman in his life,” Hertha Ber, on May 2, 1970, and they settled two and a half miles down the road on the former Ikert farm, where they built a happy life and spent over half a century together. They were mixed-grain farmers, milking cows, raising pigs, and developing a beef herd.
Their union blessed them with three lovely daughters, Connie, Sherrie and Hollie, whom he adored.
Ted was a provider and embraced fatherhood. He was a true family man and also cherished his role as an uncle, spending many hours with nieces and nephews.
Ted and Hertha raised their three girls and also enjoyed having their niece, Laurie Ber, come to stay with them during her high school years.
He was a father figure to many and enjoyed getting to know all of his daughters’ friends.
Ted and Hertha built a new home in 1979 and formed T&H Partnership in 1980.
Ted and Hertha then farmed with Hertha’s parents until George and Erna’s retirement and incorporated Briggsmaier Farms Limited in 1996 with their daughter Connie and son-in-law, Tony Maier. They downsized their operation by selling the cows in 1999 but increased their land base.
Ted loved the outdoors and was a true farmer through and through.
Ted and Hertha had a successful 48-year farming career and retired on their acreage in 2018.
Ted’s family tree quickly expanded. When people teased him about being surrounded by women, he always said, “The boys will come.” Tony, Kurtis and Clayton were wonderful sons to Ted and helped even out the numbers.
Grandchildren meant the world to Ted. In under five years, he and Hertha were blessed with 11 grandchildren. He bragged that he had one in one day, three in three minutes, four in four days, and five in five months.
The grandkids started coming in rounds, sometimes two or three at a time! Five in Round 1: Kaylyn, Alyssa, Cameron, Kaitlyn and Avery; three in Round 2: Kadence, Hayley and Ryland; and three in Round 3: Kyrie, Emily and Mya.
He was proud of each and every one of them, and he and Hertha spent hours on the road attending all of their events and cheering them on.
The family grew so much that Ted and Hertha added on to their home in 2007 in order to fit everyone around the kitchen table!
Family time on the farm is one of our fondest memories. Ted loved his home—it was his happy place.
For Ted, family was God’s greatest blessing, and he and Hertha enjoyed being a very active part in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
Ted was actively involved in St. Mary’s Anglican Church, a long-standing member of Vestry, and was a chairperson of the ALEC committee formed in 1996.
He was also involved in the Burrows Community Club, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Committee, the RM of Willowdale, and enjoyed curling, especially in the Farmers’ Bonspiel.
Ted loved to learn, taking many computer courses for farm management from the Community College.
Later on he was a member of the Harmony Club, playing cards and visiting with many friends.
He and Hertha enjoyed going on bus trips with the Manitoba Fugitives, dancing their way from place to place. He was a terrific dancer.
Ted and Hertha enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards, camping, dancing and travelling.
Ted was a jack-of-all trades: carpenter, electrician, plumber and mechanic, and he shared his many talents with his family and friends. His handiwork is present in many homes, whether it be wallpapering, picture hanging or appliance repair.
Ted was a hard worker and showed us the importance of helping others; whether it was family, a friend or a neighbour in need, he was always there.
Ted suffered his first major stroke in August of 2020 that affected his vision. With his determination, Ted worked hard to rehabilitate and gained enough strength and confidence to dance with all of his grandchildren at his granddaughter Kaitlyn’s wedding this past July and celebrate with many family and friends.
Shortly after, in August, he had another stroke, this time affecting the mobility in the left side of his body. He spent months in Jowsey House in Yorkton for rehabilitaion, and with Hertha’s support, his dedication and determination, he learned to walk again. He was able to move back home to the farm, where he continued diligently working on his therapy and was able to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family. Ted was on his way to recovery.
Unfortunately, another stroke happened in January 2023, this time affecting his speech, swallowing, and movement on the right side of his body. He rallied as best he could with the support of his family, spending time in Regina and Yorkton hospitals, and finally getting into long-term care in Moosomin on March 14.
Ted was so excited to be close to home and was full of smiles even though he was often in discomfort and frustrated trying to communicate.
Ted had a way of bringing people together, and, even in his passing, he gifted us with time to grieve, reminisce and say goodbye.
His passing was too soon, but we are all relieved that he is finally free from pain and has reunited with all those close to us who have gone before.
He was a man of faith, and God has given him rest. As he would say, it’s not goodbye but “Bye for now.”
Our family would like to thank Dr. Kerkhoff, the staff of the SEICC Moosomin Long-term Care Facility, Yorkton Regional Hospital, Regina General Hospital, Jowsey House Rehabilitation Centre, Advanced Eye Care Centre, Harmony Health, Brandon Acupuncture and Massage, and Rocanville Remedial Massage for the excellent care Ted received during this time.
We are all very thankful for the outpouring of prayers, love and support we have received from family and friends. And a special thank you to our dear friend Trudy Paice, who has been with us this entire journey.
Along with his wife, Hertha, his children and grandchildren, Ted is survived by his siblings, Ernie (Vickie) Briggs, Dennis Briggs, Gloria (Garry) Schenstead and Joy Newman; sister-in law Laurie Jordan; brother-in-law Leonard (Pat) Ber; his uncle, Vincent (Joyce) Waynert; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Ted was predeceased by his precious granddaughter, Alyssa Maier; his parents, Roy and Iverine Briggs; his in-laws, George and Erna Ber; brothers Ivan and Herb Briggs; and sister-in-law Irene Briggs.
An Anglican funeral service was held for Ted on Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Whitewood Legion Hall, with the Ven. Wilma Woods officiating.
Musicians Dianne and Ernie Veresh led the congregational hymns, Avery Meredith, Kaylyn Veresh and Kadence Meredith provided the readings and Connie Maier, Sherrie Meredith and Hollie Veresh paid tribute to their dad with the eulogy.
Interment took place in the Whitewood Cemetery with granddaughters Kaylyn, Kaitlyn, Avery, Kadence, Hayley, Kyrie, Emily, and Mya as honorary pallbearers and Cameron Maier, Hayden Haubrich, Ryland Maier, Kyle Anderson, Dylan Fredlund, Kurtis Briggs as active pallbearers.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Moosomin and District Healthcare Foundation for the CT Scanner Fund or the St. Mary’s Anglican Church Memorial Fund in memory of Ted.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home Whitewood and Melville.
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