Barry Bysterveld’s determination to live life to the fullest was evidenced in his adventures, his humour, his stubbornness, and his express focus on “staying alive” well into Palliative Care. Barry passed away peacefully, asleep in his own bed beside his wife, Marj, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at the age of 73 years.

Barry Gordon Bysterveld was born in Red Deer, Alberta on September 18, 1950 to Peter and Hazel Bysterveld. He grew up in Delburne, where he spent much of his early life in the family business, Highway Service. In 1970, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Marjorie (nee Vincent) and they welcomed their first daughter, Lisa. Barry started work with Calgary Power/Transalta Utilities, where he worked for twenty-five years, first in St. Albert and east Edmonton, and later in Red Deer.

They began construction on their log house on the hill in 1977. Though it took them only a year to complete, Barry’s real accomplishment was that for the next three decades, he managed to successfully keep the secret of the house’s real purpose: a showroom for antique oil lamps. Barry and Marj had their second daughter, Lindsay, in 1981, and in the early nineties, Barry began ranching full time, a life he enjoyed for more than twenty years. Barry loved his land and the peace and quiet it brought him.

Whether he was climbing a power pole to fix a line; raising quarter horses, reining or trail riding; or meticulously mowing and maintaining his home quarter, the words we used to describe Barry were “hard worker,” “hilarious,” “perfectionist,” “mischievous” and “stubborn.” He appreciated immensely the many friends and family members who visited in his final weeks. He felt very loved. If you had the privilege of seeing him in 2024, you know that he kept us all in stitches right to the end.

Barry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-three years, Marj; his daughter, Lindsay Ross, partners, Justan Ross and Andi Johnson, his granddaughter, Neko and his step-grandkids, Dakota, Faith, Ashton and Aisha. He will also be sadly missed by his brothers, Keith (Marlene) and Ron (Teresa); his sister, Jo-Anne; his brother-in-law, Jim Vincent (Doreen) and his sister-in-law, Teresa Diegel; as well as his many nieces and nephews. Barry was predeceased by his daughter, Lisa, his father, Pete, his mother, Hazel, and his parents-in-law, Art and Donna Vincent.

A Memorial Service was held at the Delburne Community Hall, 2034 – 21 Avenue, Delburne, Alberta on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in Barry’s honor may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation at www.albertacancer.ca. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2024-02-16
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com