MONICA MARIA KOBERSTEIN (NEE DRIESSEN)
On February 10, 2025, Monica Maria Koberstein passed away, after having lived a life in which she was loved by all who knew her.
Monica was born on December 10, 1966, at the Barrhead General Hospital and brought home by her parents, Mark and Dina Driessen, to the dairy farm at Tiger Lily, Alberta, to become acquainted with her nine brothers and sisters. She attended Littleport School from grades 1 – 9 and grades 10 – 12 at Lorne Jenken High School in Barrhead. Following graduation, she obtained a Rehabilitation Practitioner diploma from Red Deer College.
On September 1, 1989, she married Brian Koberstein, her high school sweetheart. They lived and worked for a number of years in Edmonton and Ponoka before moving back to Barrhead, to enable Brian to once again work on the Koberstein family farm. Their son, Nikolas, was born in 1996, followed by their daughter, Madison, in 1999. Monica continued to work in her chosen profession, her latest position being that of Brain Injury Respite Services Co-ordinator at Blue Heron Support Services in Barrhead.
Everyone loved Monica for her positivity and good nature – she found joy in life. She loved to laugh, even at lame jokes told to her by her siblings. She lived life on the basis that one should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. One of her favourite admonishments to anyone expressing a negative view of another person was to encourage them to “be kind”. Monica urged people to “be curious, not judgemental”. She was meticulous in her housekeeping and personal appearance. Among so many other things, Monica was family bookkeeper, hockey and dance mom, social event coordinator and good-humoured target of her children’s pranks. She was fiercely loyal to friends and family, lending them her loving support without reservation or hesitation. She was extremely grateful to have been able to attend and dance with Brian at Madison and Colton’s wedding on January 18, 2025. In her final days, Monica displayed unwavering strength, grace and courage, overlain with a serenity bolstered by her inner faith. We who survive her are blessed and humbled by having known her. The world is made a poorer place by her absence.
She is survived by husband, Brian; son, Nikolas (Alex); daughter, Madison (Colton); sister, Stephanie (Kelsey); sister, Liesbeth (Gary); brother-in-law, Lorne (Deb); brother, Paul (Chris); sister, Annette; sister, Tina (Randy); brother, Adrian and brother, Martin (Madelaine); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts, in-laws and friends around the world. She was predeceased by her parents, sister, Christine and brother, Lambert.
The family expresses its extreme gratitude for the care given to Monica by Dr. E. De Waal, Linda Knapp of the Barrhead Community Cancer Centre, Michelle Smith, Registered Nurse, and the staff of the Barrhead Health Care Centre.
In lieu of flowers, Monica has requested that, in remembrance of her, donations be made to the Barrhead Community Cancer Centre or the Blue Heron Support Services Association Brain Injury Program.
A Memorial Service will take place at 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2025, at the Bethel Pentecostal Church, 5410 – 53 Avenue, Barrhead, Alberta.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rose Garden Chapel, Barrhead.
