Obituary for Elizabeth Enid Christianson “Beth” (née Debenham)
(April 11, 1951 – January 6, 2025)
It is with deep sadness that the family of Beth Christianson announces her passing on January 6, 2025, at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Born in Wolseley, Saskatchewan, Beth grew up in a close-knit family with three sisters and four brothers. Her childhood was shaped by the warmth of rural life and the structure of a devout religious upbringing, where church and family worship were central. While these experiences profoundly influenced her, Beth later found her own path and maintained meaningful friendships with many from the church community. Beth’s early years were filled with imagination and adventure. Before moving to Regina at age seven, she and her siblings created countless playful quests—cowpie fights, cemetery picnics, and fort-building in junkyards. In Regina, life took on a new rhythm, with Beth excelling in school, earning the admiration of her teachers, and fostering her lifelong love of reading. Weekends involved chores, followed by bike rides and outdoor play with neighborhood kids. Summers spent on relatives’ farms brought hard work, camaraderie, and carefree days of sunshine-filled antics. As a young adult, Beth moved to Edmonton to pursue drafting at NAIT. She later relocated to Calgary, where she worked at Christianson Surveys and met her husband, Cam, in 1977. The couple married, moved to Brooks in 1985, and raised two daughters, Raye and Alexi. In 1995, Beth’s dream home—designed by her and built by her brothers—was completed at Lake Newell Resort. A devoted mother and wife, Beth cherished her family deeply and maintained strong connections with extended family and friends. She loved learning, music (especially classical, Paul Simon, and Billy Joel), home renovation projects, and storytelling. Her imagination and wit brought laughter, even when her jokes amused her most of all. Beth faced significant challenges, including mental health struggles and health issues in her later years. Despite these difficulties, her strength, intelligence, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Her husband, Cam, stood steadfastly by her side, and her legacy of love and devotion will be remembered by all. She leaves to mourn, her husband, Cam, daughter Raye (grandchildren Owen and Olivia) of Red Deer, and daughter Alexi (spouse Jeff, grandchildren Tyson and Luella) of Rosemary, sisters Beverley Debenham (Jim), Bonny Debenham (Mike), brothers Scott Broad (Karen), Gerry Debenham (Eunice) and Robert Debenham (Karen); nieces Terra Vaughan, special niece Jory Debenham, Jennifer Scherer, Laura Debenham, Kathe Debenham, Hannah Debenham, Esprit Farmer, Leanne Christianson and nephews Alex Barkley, Mica Barkley, Jeff Christianson, uncles Lorne Debenham, George Debenham, and aunts Jean Pady and Margaret Quesenbury, brothers-in-law Tom Christianson (Alma), and Bill Christianson of Brooks, and numerous cousins and extended family. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the ICU staff at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their exceptional care. Donations in Beth’s memory may be made to the Brooks Animal Protection Society (BAPS), a cause close to her heart. A celebration of Beth’s life will be held in April 2025, with details to follow. For further information or to leave a message of sympathy, please visit www.thomsfuneralhome.com or call (403-501-1010.
