BETH PETERSON CHRISTENSEN, beloved mom of Patty (Kelly) Bielert of Cardston, Alberta, and Debbie (Dave) Spalding of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully in Cardston, Alberta on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 at the age of 96 years.
Beth was predeceased by her parents, Seth and Clara Peterson, her sons, Wes and Bill Tautfest, brothers, Woody and Floyd Peterson, and her sisters, LaVaun Bullock and Louise Peterson.
Beth was born August 12th, 1929 in Stirling, Alberta, to Seth and Clara Peterson. Her family moved to Brooks, Alberta when she was 10 years old where she attended elementary and junior high school in a little two-room country school in Clancy. Later, she went to high school in Brooks where she developed life-long friendships and lived in “the Dorm”. She has described this period as some of the best years of her life. Beth attended grade 11 in Raymond, Alberta where she was able to regularly attend church and associate with others at mutual activities.
After graduating from high school, Beth attended the University of Alberta in Calgary from 1948-49 to obtain her teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at the Renfrew school in 1949 and in 1950 she moved to Rosemary to teach grade 4. It was here that she taught some of her most cherished students who have continued to idolize her throughout her life.
She loved to dance. As an instructor of ballroom dance with the Mutual Improvement Association for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Beth and Red Sillito participated in many floor shows at Green and Gold Balls throughout her time in Rosemary.
On March 31st, 1953, Beth married Ray Tautfest and together they had four children: Wesley Ray, William Craig, Patricia Lee, and Debra Suzanne. She gave up teaching to raise her children who meant everything to her. After spending 16 years in Rosemary, Ray and Beth moved to Claresholm in 1969. In 1970, Beth moved to Duchess with her children and began teaching grade 4 again.
On December 21st, 1974, Beth married Cliff Christensen and moved to Fort Macleod where they blended their families. It was here that she met and created many more friendships through service in her church callings and community service.
At this time, she also taught for two years at the Granum Hutterite Colony. These two years were important to her because, once again, she forged many friendships. Her skills in developing and cultivating friendships was not restricted by religious lines and these types of barriers were ones she was proud to knock down. She saw everyone as a child of God regardless of their faith, and it was this Christ-like perspective that allowed her to share her love with those she taught. The children and parents on the colony loved her and she loved them. One of the many children Beth impacted has kept in contact with her almost every week for many years. Her special relationship with her beloved Diana Tschetter is a testament to the love and loyalty she so freely gave to all.
Beth moved to Cardston, Alberta in 2000 where she served regularly as a patron and temple worker in the Cardston Alberta Temple. During her years in Cardston, she continued to forge relationships until the day she died, probably never fully understanding the positive impact she had across cultural and religious lines.
As a family, we know Beth would want Doctor Justin Low and her caregivers to know how much she appreciated the love, care, and support she received during the later years of her life.
Because of her gentle, encompassing spirit which made everyone around her feel loved and noticed, she will be sorely missed by her immediate and extended family, as well as her friends. She cherished and sincerely loved each and every person that entered her circle.
A Funeral service will be held in Beth’s honour on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Temple Street Chapel in Cardston, Alberta. Friends may meet the family from 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
A luncheon for all family and friends will follow directly after the service.
Graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. at the Stirling Cemetery, Stirling Alberta.
Beth was predeceased by her parents, Seth and Clara Peterson, her sons, Wes and Bill Tautfest, brothers, Woody and Floyd Peterson, and her sisters, LaVaun Bullock and Louise Peterson.
Beth was born August 12th, 1929 in Stirling, Alberta, to Seth and Clara Peterson. Her family moved to Brooks, Alberta when she was 10 years old where she attended elementary and junior high school in a little two-room country school in Clancy. Later, she went to high school in Brooks where she developed life-long friendships and lived in “the Dorm”. She has described this period as some of the best years of her life. Beth attended grade 11 in Raymond, Alberta where she was able to regularly attend church and associate with others at mutual activities.
After graduating from high school, Beth attended the University of Alberta in Calgary from 1948-49 to obtain her teaching certificate. She began her teaching career at the Renfrew school in 1949 and in 1950 she moved to Rosemary to teach grade 4. It was here that she taught some of her most cherished students who have continued to idolize her throughout her life.
She loved to dance. As an instructor of ballroom dance with the Mutual Improvement Association for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Beth and Red Sillito participated in many floor shows at Green and Gold Balls throughout her time in Rosemary.
On March 31st, 1953, Beth married Ray Tautfest and together they had four children: Wesley Ray, William Craig, Patricia Lee, and Debra Suzanne. She gave up teaching to raise her children who meant everything to her. After spending 16 years in Rosemary, Ray and Beth moved to Claresholm in 1969. In 1970, Beth moved to Duchess with her children and began teaching grade 4 again.
On December 21st, 1974, Beth married Cliff Christensen and moved to Fort Macleod where they blended their families. It was here that she met and created many more friendships through service in her church callings and community service.
At this time, she also taught for two years at the Granum Hutterite Colony. These two years were important to her because, once again, she forged many friendships. Her skills in developing and cultivating friendships was not restricted by religious lines and these types of barriers were ones she was proud to knock down. She saw everyone as a child of God regardless of their faith, and it was this Christ-like perspective that allowed her to share her love with those she taught. The children and parents on the colony loved her and she loved them. One of the many children Beth impacted has kept in contact with her almost every week for many years. Her special relationship with her beloved Diana Tschetter is a testament to the love and loyalty she so freely gave to all.
Beth moved to Cardston, Alberta in 2000 where she served regularly as a patron and temple worker in the Cardston Alberta Temple. During her years in Cardston, she continued to forge relationships until the day she died, probably never fully understanding the positive impact she had across cultural and religious lines.
As a family, we know Beth would want Doctor Justin Low and her caregivers to know how much she appreciated the love, care, and support she received during the later years of her life.
Because of her gentle, encompassing spirit which made everyone around her feel loved and noticed, she will be sorely missed by her immediate and extended family, as well as her friends. She cherished and sincerely loved each and every person that entered her circle.
A Funeral service will be held in Beth’s honour on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Temple Street Chapel in Cardston, Alberta. Friends may meet the family from 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. prior to the service.
A luncheon for all family and friends will follow directly after the service.
Graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. at the Stirling Cemetery, Stirling Alberta.