Betty Joy (née Olson) Wittig
October 4, 1940 – July 22, 2023
Betty Joy (née Olson) Wittig was born on October 4, 1940, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to John and Lillie (née Holmes) Olson. She was the youngest of three children and only daughter. She grew up and attended school at Lang, SK, and in 1946, Lang School received the first big yellow school bus in Saskatchewan, and she was the first student passenger on that bus. Music was a big part of Betty’s life. At the age of 12, she played piano in a Dance Band along side her brother Edwin. She also played an alto horn in a marching band, taught piano lessons after school, and played organ in their church. After graduation, Betty moved to Saskatoon where she attended University and later Teachers College in Regina. It was during this time she met the love of her life at the National Farmers Union Convention and on August 19, 1961, Betty married Donald Wittig, son of Eric and Emilie Wittig of Watson, SK. They lived in Quill Lake the first year of their marriage where Betty taught Home Economics at Quill Lake High School. In the fall of 1962, Betty and Don moved back to the family farm where Don built their new home. Betty & Don’s union was blessed with four daughters: Shauna Lee, Lori Jo, Deanna Lynn, and Tracy Dawn. Betty decided not to go back to teaching but rather focus on raising her family and helping with the farming operation. Betty had many talents and hobbies over the years. She was an avid seamstress. Her four little girls could often be seen wearing matching outfits carefully hand crafted by Betty. She continued to sew as the girls grew older, eventually making their graduation and bridesmaid dresses. Music continued to be important to Betty. She was an accomplished pianist and took pride in accompanying the Wittig Sisters and Just Friends group at competitions, weddings, church services, and various other celebrations across the province. She often played piano at the Remembrance Day services in Watson and was the organist for many local church functions. She was very involved in the United Church, leading the junior choir for years while her girls took part. She was on the United Church Board in Watson as well as a member of the UCW and later became the organist and continued until the time of her death. Betty and Don took numerous winter holidays to various destinations over the years and, in 2001 they started spending the winters in Yuma, Arizona. The couple, retired from farming in 2007 and moved to Watson in 2008 where they built a new home. In retirement, Betty and Don enjoyed family camping and fishing trips, traveling with Heartland Good Sam Club, socializing and most of all, spending time with family. Betty will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her four daughters, 11 grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren. Shauna (Kevin) Otsig and family, Aaron (Jackie) Otsig and children Grace and George, Krista (Jason) Doering and children Jaxon and Jett, and Ashley (Rance) Anderson and children Chase and Lily; Lori (Andrew) Ochitwa and family Craig (Maegan) Ochitwa and children Brielle and Lincoln, and Teandra (Justin) Friesen and children Charlie, Benjamin, William and Madison; Deanna (Gerry) Miskolczi and family, Garret (Carissa) Miskolczi and children Brynn and Zaiden, Jessica (Graeme) Currie and children Adley and Wren; and Blair (Kelly) Miskolczi and children Eli and Rory; Tracy (Corey) Thiemann and family, Cody (Elizabeth) Thiemann, Telia Thiemann and Austin (Natalie) Thiemann; one brother Edwin Olson; two brothers-in-law Fred Wittig and Clarence Wittig; three sisters-in-law: Roberta Kreitz, Alice (Earl) Mennie, and Kathy Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Wittig (2019); father John Olson (1959); mother Lillie (née Holmes) Olson (1997); mother-in-law, Emilie Wittig (1983); father-in-law Eric Wittig (1998); brother George Olson (2020); sisters-in-law: Frances Olson (2011), Gloria Wittig (2021), and Ollie Wittig (2023); brother-in-law Ray Kreitz (2021); and by three nephews: Todd Kreitz (2013), Vern Wittig (2014), Chris Wittig (2019). The Funeral Mass was offered at Trinity United Church, Watson, SK, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., celebrated Reverend Al Hingley. Others taking part were: Jessica Currie and Cody Thiemann, scripture readers; Craig Ochitwa, eulogist; Charlie Friesen and Jaxon Doering, memorial table attendants; Lorna Mansell, organist; and Aaron Otsig, urn bearer. Interment followed at Watson Public Cemetery in Watson, SK. Following the service, a memorial luncheon was held at the Watson Civic Center. Memorial donations may be sent to the Lung Association of Saskatchewan (2308 Arlington Ave, Saskatoon, SK, S7J 3L3) or Quill Plains Health Care Foundation (PO Box 459, Watson, SK S0K 4V0).
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral & Cremation Services - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)