Obituary of Betty Straf

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Straf, late of Shellbrook, SK, passed away at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on May 2, 2021 at the age of 77 years. Betty was born on January 12, 1944, at her grandmother’s home in Shellbrook. She left school in grade 11 to take the Nurses Aide course in Melfort, SK, where she made some very dear lifelong friends. Betty met Ted Straf at a dance, and they were married on November 13, 1965, living briefly in Shellbrook before moving to the farm at Brightholme near Leask. In 1998, they returned to Shellbrook and into Mom’s “fancy” house that Dad had always promised her. They went from using an outhouse and hauling chamber pails, to having a modern large home with three flush toilets, a shower, and a real bathtub! Betty remained living there until her passing. An extremely hardworking housewife, Betty decorated delightful birthday cakes made from scratch for her children and grew a large garden, canning her harvest and making jam from berry picking. Betty was known for her matter-of-fact personality, but also a sharp wit and humour. Not much got past her! She had a knack for using an endless array of old-fashioned sayings in her conversation. A member of the Shellbrook Ladies Auxiliary and the Parkside Lutheran Church for many years, she often attended local senior events and church events. Betty enjoyed her hobby of collecting certain types of memorabilia and enjoyed having weekly coffee visits with her friends. While she may have grown up “poor” she had a very full life and generously donated to various charities. She was the type of person who always wanted to give back. Betty’s much loved grandchildren, T.J., Jayde, Brett, April, Paige, and her great-grandson, Max all held a special place in her heart. Betty is survived by her children, Brent (Jessica) Straf, and their daughters, April and Paige; Dawn Straf, and her son, T.J.; Allision (Greg) Solberg, and their children, Jayde and Brett, and a special great-grandson, Jayde’s son Max; her siblings, Jim (Sandy) Swan, Ann (Richard) Porter, Barb (Glen) Bloom, Shirley Christianson, Linda (Bob) Miller, Beatrice (Maurice) Stieb; her former sister-in-law, Lois (Rick) Freeman; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Ted Straf in 2007; her parents, Paul and Renate Swan; brothers-in law, Robert Straf, Bill Straf, John (Paulette) Straf, Albert Straf and Don Christianson; and her sisters-in-law, Lena Straf, Lydia Straf, Martha Straf and Paulette Straf. Public Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Parkside Immanuel Lutheran Church, Parkside, SK. Please note all COVID 19 protocols will be followed.A Private Family Service will follow. In lieu of other tributes, donations in memory of Betty may be directed to the SPCA, 1125 N Industrial Dr, Prince Albert, SK, S6V 5T1, Parkside Immanuel Lutheran Church, Box 66, Parkside SK, S0J 2A0, or a Charity of the Donor’s Choice. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Tracy-Lynn Lenchuk, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.