Tribute

On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, Mrs. Martha Elviera Karstad (née Gelaude) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.

Predeceased by: Daughter Karen Rathbun (Gary) and Granddaughter Elsa Hélène Schueler

Survived by: Husband Lars Karstad, children Aleta Schueler (Fred), Elsen Karstad (Amy Sandys-Lumsdaine), Mark Karstad (Donna)

Martha was a devoted wife and mother, proud grandma of five, and great-grandma of five.

Born and raised on a farm near Brunkild, Manitoba, Martha was one of the 9 children of Katerina (Katarzyna) and Alphonse Gelaude. Prairie girl, daughter of immigrants, her physical strength lasted well into her 90s, and her industrious creativity has been passed on strongly through at least two generations.

As a young woman she worked at a variety of jobs in Winnipeg and Toronto, from housekeeping to bookbinding, and on a visit to Friends in Vancouver, met her future husband, Lars Karstad.

Martha became an accomplished photographer and videographer – a devoted and resourceful helpmate for Lars’s travel and fieldwork in wildlife disease research, both in Ontario and internationally, including 9 years when the family lived in Kenya. She enjoyed camping and safari, appreciating nature in all its manifestations.

Martha’s many hobbies, besides photography, included sewing, raising tropical fish, painting on porcelain, macrame, crochet, watercolour and oil painting, and most recently, one-of-a-kind card making. She often ended up teaching a craft once she’d mastered it. Her faithful and eloquent correspondence throughout the years with family and friends brought great mutual pleasure.

Martha had a light step and a gentle hand. Her spiritual life was the heart and centre of her existence, and it strengthened and steadied her throughout her life. Her kindness, faithfulness and wisdom was, and still is, a blessing and encouragement to all who knew her.

In memory of Martha, please make a generous donation to your favourite charity.

A graveside gathering will be held at a later date.