Alice Myrtle Finkbeiner
April 9, 1932 – Oct. 4, 2023

Alice Myrtle Finkbeiner (known as Myrt by most) went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Oct. 4, 2023, at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre at the age of 91.

She was born April 9, 1932, in Condor, Alta., to Fred and Keitha Bott and was the eighth of 10 kids. She grew up on the family farm near Withrow, attending Shady Lane School for most of her education. She stayed with her uncle Leland Tweed to take her 10th Grade at Condor School since his farm was not far from Condor.

On Dec. 25, 1950, Myrt married Les Finkbeiner and together they were blessed with two daughters (Geraldine and Muriel) and a son (Ron). The family home was in Leslieville. Les and Myrt owned and operated the Economy Hardware in Leslieville from 1959 to 1962 when it was sold (from 1946-1958 Les was in partnership with his father, and in 1959 he bought his father’s share). Myrt was an agent for Central Alberta florists for several years, providing a needed service as there were no local florists in the area. She also sold their bedding plants, having a spacious greenhouse on another lot in Leslieville she and Les owned. As well as selling live floral arrangements, she also arranged and sold many artificial floral arrangements.

In 1977, they moved to their quarter north of Leslieville. Les passed away Dec. 28, 1998, and Myrt stayed on there until June of 2001 when Ron and his wife Karen and family switched homes with her. This made Leslieville her home once again, living in the same house as before. While there, she remained active in Bethel Union Church and Central Alberta Antique and Model Club, being very instrumental in the moving of the Leslieville Mercantile Store to the Antique Grounds.

Myrt was a gifted piano player and played for countless events through the years – weddings and celebrations, community and family functions, funerals and regularly at church. She also taught piano lessons for several years which she thoroughly enjoyed. In 2012, she moved into the Westview Lodge in Rocky Mountain House where she remained until 2021 when she then moved to her daughter Geraldine and husband Gerald Dirsten’s home and remained there until her passing.

Mryt was predeceased by her parents Fred and Keitha Bott; husband Les; son Ron; grandson Paul Fenc; great-grandson Sage Fenc; son-in-law Steve Butchart; brothers: Charlie, Ralph, Jim, Dave, Art, Max; and sister Freda Gibson.

She is lovingly remembered and survived by her two daughters: Geraldine Dirsten (Gerald) and Muriel Finkbeiner; daughter-in-law Karen Finkbeiner; five grandchildren: Penny Harrison (Jason), Darcy Dirsten (Leona), Lisa Fenc, Scott Finkbeiner, Amanda Finkbeiner (Chris Varcoe); thirteen great-grandchildren: Vanessa Mueller (Peter), Wyatt Dirsten (Mykaila Reece), Sam Dirsten, Megan Mueller (Thomas), Grant Harrison, Judah Harrison, Janae Harrison, Marlowe Beauregard, Thomas Beauregard, Jaylynn Finkbeiner, Jaxon Varcoe, Jace Finkbeiner, Nash Finkbeiner; and three great-great-granddaughters: Winnie Dirsten, Monroe Mueller and Letti Dirsten; her brother Eddie Bott (Dorothy); and sister Donna Pattison; as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

A celebration of Myrt’s life will be held at the First Christian Reformed Church, Rocky Mountain House, on Nov. 4, 2023, at 1 p.m. with interment at Leslieville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Leslieville Bethel Union Church or Camp Little Red if desired.