Elizabeth “Betty” Frances Kirsch
May 17, 1932 – May 18, 2023
The death of Elizabeth “Betty” Frances (nee Rabner) of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK, occurred at Manitou Lodge in Watrous, SK. She was 91 years of age. Betty, the fifth of six children, was born on May 17, 1932, to Frank and Theresa (nee Grieman) Rabner in Humboldt, SK. She grew up on the family farm near Fulda, SK, where she assisted with milking cows etc., and caring for her mother. Betty liked school; she was an avid reader and was promoted from grade three to grade five. She finished grade 8 in 1945 but was unable to pursue her dream of being a teacher as that meant leaving behind her ill mother to attend the Ursuline convent in Bruno. Betty worked part-time at the Sears order desk in Humboldt. Her love to dance led her to meet Lawrence at a Fulda dance. Betty enjoyed attending dances with Lawrence, often along with them were Ella and Graham, and Alice and Reinhold. They were married June 29, 1954, at Grace Lutheran Church in Middle Lake by Pastor Krahenbil. Betty and Lawrence were blessed with four children: Maureen Fay on December 25, 1956, Brent Lawrence on February 17, 1960, Perry Eldon on February 9, 1963, and finally Jason Robert on June 3, 1969. The family was raised in the home that was built in 1963 in Middle Lake. In addition to being a homemaker, Betty worked at the Kirsch Bros. shop doing the bookkeeping. During farming seasons, she prepared and hauled many meals to the field, sometimes dinner, supper and midnight lunch. Betty was known for her ability to cook great veal cutlets and homemade buns. Her hobbies were gardening, crossword puzzles, crocheting, and bowling. She was a great fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and loved watching any curling on television. Lawrence and Betty were able to travel through the International Harvester Dealership program. After Lawrence passed away in 2006, Betty continued to travel with her friends and family members, including bus tours/casino trips and driving to see her children and grandchildren. In 2017 Betty moved into Bethany Pioneer Village in assisted living where she remained for over six years. She participated in many of the activities there, and enjoyed the ice cream outings, and wing nights at the bar. Betty loved entertaining visitors in her suite where she could often be seen doing puzzles with her neighbors and family. Although Betty had diabetes and heart disease, she lived her life to the fullest and was very kind and happy all the time. She wore a smile on her face and maintained her sharp wit until the end. Betty is lovingly remembered by her four children, 10 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren: MAUREEN (Les) Blandin of Nipawin, SK, family, Ashley (Stan) Turnbull and their daughter Sophie, Mitchell (Kate) Blandin and children Emmalyn and Maci; BRENT (Wendy) Kirsch of Middle Lake, SK, and family, Brooke (Gary) Niekamp and their daughters Ava and Abby, Joshua (Ashley) Kirsch and their sons Carson and Austin; PERRY (Darcy) Kirsch of Middle Lake, SK, and family, Bryce, Janelle, and Alexa; and JASON (Charda) Kirsch of St. Brieux, SK, and family, Chelaine, Ryan and Jake; sisters-in-laws: Alice Kirsch and Rosemarie Rabner; brother-in-law, Eddie Ehalt; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Kirsch; parents, Frank and Theresa (nee Grieman) Rabner; brothers: Wilfred Rabner and Gilbert Rabner; sisters: Helen Duerr, Marie Duerr, and Delores Ehalt; brothers-in-law: Lambert Duerr, Joseph Duerr, Irvin Miskofski, William Kirsch, Reinhold Kirsch, Otto Gloeden, and Graham Ashdown; sisters-in-law: Elsie Gloeden, Hilda Miskofski, Ella Ashdown, Lorraine Kirsch, and Helen Rabner; and by nephews: Jerry Kirsch, Garth Ashdown, Donald Kirsch, Bernard Gloeden, Howard Gloeden, Frank Driscoll, and Larry Chow. The Funeral Service was held at Faith Lutheran Church, Middle Lake, on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Jakob Valsson. Honorary pallbearers were “all those who loved and cherished Betty”. Active pallbearers were Mitchell Blandin, Joshua Kirsch, Bryce Kirsch, Ryan Kirsch, Jake Kirsch, and Gary Niekamp. Immediately following the Funeral Service, a memorial luncheon took place in the Faith Lutheran Church basement. The eulogy was delivered by Delbert Kirsch. Interment followed at Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Middle Lake. Memorial donations may be directed to the Heart & Stroke Foundation (#26-1738 Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1V9)
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)