Beatrice "Bea" Lorraine Niedersteiner

Beatrice (Bea) Lorraine (Anderson-Gilliland) Niedersteiner was born on January 7th 1931 in her parents farmhouse, north of Excel, Alberta, the 7th of 9 kids born to Ezekiel and Elsie Anderson. 

Bea battled cancer for the last year and left us on Monday, June 28, 2021 to join her parents, siblings, Lawrence, Ron, Verna, Irene, Lamar, Gordie, Wes and Floyd; as well as her first husband, Jim Gilliland; and her son, Blake Gilliland.

 She leaves behind her loving husband and friend of 34 beautiful years, Werner Niedersteiner;  her two sons, Dwight (Marj) Gilliland and Rex Gilliland; her stepdaughters, Chris (Bob) Barvir, Monika (Larry) Gygie, Liane (Rick) Blakeley, Tony (Jeannie) Niedersteiner; her 13 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren and many dear friends.  Bea will be especially missed by Donna and Gerry who so lovingly cared for Bea and Werner over the last several years.

Bea loved laughter, hard work, helping people in any way she could and men with long last names. 

She grew up on a farm her young life, well-loved and spunky.  She married Jim Gilliland two months after finishing high school in Oyen, Alberta and immediately became the mother of two young boys, Dwight and Blake. Bea and Jim welcomed a third son, Rex, a few years later. 

Bea worked as a stenographer (though she was often deemed the unofficial CEO) while raising her three boys.  Bea’s home was always full of guests – whether it was to pop by for a coffee, a beer, or that thing you did not know you needed (but she knew you had to have).  She was our historian, the community organizer, the original kijiji, and our confidant.

Bea lived in Brooks and Calgary, where she lost her husband Jim in 1982.  After her grief subsided, Bea was lucky to find love again when she met Werner.  He introduced her to canoeing and camping and home construction. They married in 1987 and had a wonderful life together. 

Bea and Werner decided to move to Didsbury in 1991 where they  built their own house. They kept busy organizing bus trips, floor curling, singing in the choir and volunteering at the 50 club.  They were a great pair and made many deep friendships in Didsbury and at Westward Ho where they spent many summers at their trailer.

Bea’s exceptional grand mothering skills must be noted.  How wonderful to have a Grandma who puts the jar of peanut butter on the counter and pulls out two spoons for you and her to chat while you indulge.  A grandmother who frightened and amazed you driving a tiny mustang at top speeds, cigarette in one hand, stick shift in the other and her chubby dog Marty sitting on the console. 

Bea was always laughing, optimistic and grateful till the end – she was thankful for every call, visit, and caring moment.  In her final days, as we attempted to say goodbye, she would always divert the conversation to – ‘come back and see me soon’.  So, Bea – we will not say goodbye, but we will see you soon.

In lieu of flowers, Bea’s family asks that you donate to the Alberta Lung Association or volunteer to help someone in your life, as she always helped others.

A celebration of her life will be held in Didsbury at 1705 16th Street from 2:00-5:00 pm on July 22, 2021.

Bea will be laid to rest with a private service at Mountain View Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Calgary.