Beth Toomer

BETH (HARKER) TOOMER, long-time resident of Magrath, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 at the age of 95. She was the beloved wife of the late Dale Matthews Toomer, and loving mother of Linda (Al - deceased) Liptak and Janice (Mark) Baker. She is also survived by seven grandchildren - Jason (Pam) Liptak, Sam (Heather) Liptak, Jessica (Josh) Gibbon, Megan (Jeff) Salmon, Mac (Emily) Baker, Braden Baker and Tyson Baker; nine great grandchildren - Beth, Grace and Joseph Liptak, Zackary, Carter, Levi and Walker Gibbon, Ethan Baker and Benjamin Salmon; one brother - Dean (Betty) Harker; one sister-in-law - Esther Toomer; numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Dale, son-in-law Al Liptak, two brothers, Merlin and Garth (Connie), and all of Dale's siblings. Beth was born August 23, 1915 in Magrath, the first child and only daughter of James Burns Harker and Elva (Heap) Harker, and lived most of her life in Magrath. She had a frugal but happy childhood, and learned the value of work early in her life. At 14, she was left to cook for a crew of men when her mother went to Wyoming for a funeral. She married Dale Matthews Toomer on Sept. 19, 1940 in the Cardston Temple. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and served faithfully in many capacities. One of the highlights of her life was traveling to Salt Lake City and performing with the Singing Mothers in 1967. She found it hard to accept help, but loved to help others, and did so frequently throughout her life. Her family was everything to her, and she enjoyed family get togethers. Extended family remembers many Christmases in her and Dale's home with their homemade ice cream, as well as gathering after the July 24th parade at their home. She loved gardening and spent many happy hours working in her beautiful yard. She worked at various jobs throughout her life, from egg grading to camp cook, the canning factory to the beet dump. She worked for AGT until the Magrath office closed and then retired from the Magrath Post Office in 1980. She loved traveling and enjoyed visiting many parts of the world. Although seemingly mild mannered and quiet she had an adventure-seeking side evidenced by her 80th birthday sky diving jump in New Zealand. Beth suffered a stroke in May, 2000 that paralyzed her on the right side. She spent the rest of her years in assisted living where she remained fiercely independent, even teaching herself to write with her left hand so she could continue her journal writing. Her determination, dedication and faithfulness will continue to be an inspiration to her family and friends. Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 13th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the L.D.S. Magrath Garden Place Chapel. Friends may meet the family prior to the service, 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Interment in the Magrath Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in Beth's memory may be made to the Magrath Museum, Box 907, Magrath, AB T0K 1J0; or the LDS Perpetual Education fund.

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