Gwendolyn (Gwen) Betke

Gwen was born on May 30, 1933 to Ralph & Mabel Wondrasek on their farm near Millwood, Manitoba. She went to school in Millwood and took grade 9 and 10 while boarding in Russell, Manitoba. Gwen married Edward Betke on November 9, 1950. They lived in Marchwell, Gainsborough, and Millwood, finally settling on the Betke farm in the Wolverine District near Marchwell. They had 6 children; Jack, Linda, Larry, Shelley, Norman and James. Gwen and Eddie separated in 1984.

Gwen worked in various jobs; Dairy Dip in Russell, Bunilliam Street,ge in Harrowby, Concession Stand at the Carleton Trail Golf Club, and finally as a Special Care Aide with Langenburg Care Home. She moved from the farm to her home at 106 Riedel Avenue W,  Langenburg in June 1992. She kept active with gardening, golfing, curling, and playing cards with her friends and family. Her home was always open for family gatherings. Gwen enjoyed travelling, whether it was exploring hoodoos and dinosaurs in Drumheller or white-water rafting with her grandchildren. She travelled in Canada, United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Her favourite travelling was always to visit her grandchildren and later great-grandchildren. She enjoyed them as babies and later celebrated when they graduated or were married. Grandchildren spent many happy holidays with their grandma. In September 2012, Gwen moved to an apartment on March Avenue. She continued to be active in the community. She was leader of the UCW and treasurer for the Langenburg United Church for many years. She helped organize and work at the United Church Jumble Sale. She volunteered delivering Meals on Wheels. Gwen had a group of friends with whom she played cards and visited. She was a life long avid reader. Gwen moved to Lakeside Manor in Saltcoats in October 2021. There she received excellent care for almost two years and passed away peacefully September 27, 2023, at the age of 90.

She was predeceased by her father, Ralph, her mother, Mabel, two brothers, Gordon Wondrasek and Harold Wondrasek, two sisters, Joyce Yeske and Faye Nillson, six brothers-in-law, Dwight Nillson, Leo Betke, Alfred Betke, Ralph Betke, Art Betke and Norman Betke, five sisters-in-law, Lil Wondrasek, Wilma Betke, Vera Betke, June Betke and Beth Betke.

Left to mourn her are four sons, Jack (Michelle) Betke, Larry (Cheryl) Betke, Norman (Shirley) Betke, and James (Lisa) Betke, two daughters, Linda (Greg) Sanguin, and Shelley (Graham) Hunter, sixteen grandchildren; Josey (Brent) Lustig, Erin (Jordan) Litvenenko, Jason (Raye) Betke, Drew (Anna) Betke, Meaghan (Dwayne) Shewchuk, Joshua Shewchuk, Kurtis Sanguin, Dane (Kristy) Sanguin, Byron Hunter, Jacqueline (Nathaniel) Dickout, Kaitlyn (Arliss) Betke, Ryan Betke, Jordan Betke, Matthew Betke, Brett Bakensztos and Jove Bakensztos, fifteen great-grandchildren; Kai Lustig, Casey and Cole Betke, Ashton and Kohen Sanguin, Ekko and Oakley Sanguin, Benjamin, Emilia and Audrey Dickout, Peyton, Bella and Brielle Betke, and Isaac and Dathanial Bakensztos, one sister, Donna (Wayne) Bulischak, one brother-in-law, Monty Yeske, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. from at the Langenburg United Church. 

Interment will follow at Ingleside Cemetery.