Obituary of Josephine Betz

BETZ - Mrs. Josephine Betz, resident of the Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. She was 82 years of age. Josephine Evelyn Betz was born in the Rhein district of Saskatchewan on November 13, 1925; a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (nee McDougall) Greenstein. She received her early education in the district, graduated from the Yorkton Collegiate Institute, and went on to Normal School in Regina where she trained as a teacher. She met Wilf Betz while teaching in Kamsack. They married in November of 1947, living in Kamsack and Rhein before settling in Yorkton in 1955 and raising their family. Josie and Wilf were a special couple, being very different people but complementing and building on each other's strengths. She was an accomplished home maker and financier, proud of the houses built by Wilf (and the family lived in), eventually designing the last home they lived in. Deeply committed to family and God, she served on the church board, as a church secretary for 17 years and for over 50 years as a Sunday School teacher. In the 1970's Josie became a contributor to Foster Parents Plan, often sponsoring 3 children at a time. Throughout the years she maintained her interest in education, volunteering with new immigrants teaching English as a second language. Josie also boarded young Yorkton Terrier hockey players establishing lasting relationships with them and their families. Always busy and socially active, Josie loved gardening, reading, square dancing, and playing bridge and other card games. She loved entertaining and hosting family gatherings. After Wilf's death in 1984, she led an active life with one child at home. Josie moved to Saskatoon in 2003 due to declining health and lived in Emmanuel Village and Sherbrooke Community Centre. Blessed with a positive attitude, she loved fun and had a wonderful sense of humour. Even in the last days of her life, the nursing staff appreciated her dry wit. Josephine struggled with the effects of Alzheimers disease, she lost the brave battle on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. Josie will be deeply missed by her children, family and friends. Josie is survived by her children: Linda (Laurie) Senecal of Bowden, AB; Patricia (Tom) Hopkins of Delta, BC; Brad (Pat) Betz of Saskatoon; and Alison (Damon) White of Calgary; 9 grandchildren (Kim, Kelly, Gregg, Jeb (Nicole), Leanne, Sonya (Dan), Wilf, Grayson and Livia) and 3 great grandchildren (Kaiya, Halle and Xavier); her brothers: Stuart (Barbie) and Meldrum (Jennie) Greenstein, all of Rhein, SK; and her sister Francis Rhinas of Yorkton, and their families. She was pre-deceased by her husband Wilf, niece Valerie Kyba, and brother-in-law Walter Rhinas. The funeral service was held on Monday, May 5, 2008 from the First Baptist Church in Yorkton with Pastor Steve Rosluk officiaiting. Organist, Ruth McPhee led the congregation in the singing of the hymns What A Freind We Have in Jesus, and Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling. The interment took place in ther Garden of St. Luke at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Kim and Kelly Senecal, Gregg and Leanne Hopkins, and Jeb, Wilf and Sonya Betz serving as the casketbearers. Arrangements were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Monday, May 5th, 2008 2:00pm, First Baptist Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens