REIS, Elizabeth (Betty) Theresa

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In Loving Memory of Elizabeth (Betty) Reis

On April 18, 2022, our precious Mother Elizabeth (Betty) Reis went to be with her Lord. She leaves behind six children, Irene (Martin) Ziegler, Al (Barb) Reis, Judy Bousquet, Peggy (Earl) Speer, Craig (Christine) Reis, Eleanor (Jeff) Diekert; as well as 21 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren who will miss her with profound sadness.

Betty was predeceased by daughter Colleen Ricketts, grandchildren Andrew Speer and Angel Lynn Reis, and great-granddaughter Raelynne Bousquet.

Elizabeth (Betty) Theresa Ackerman was born at home in Denzil, Saskatchewan on December 6, 1928. She was the 4th child of Maximillian and Annastasia Ackerman’s 10 children. Growing up, Betty loved living on a farm, cooking and baking for her family. She was a great help to her Mother at home, taking care of her younger siblings and doing chores.

Betty was an excellent student, and a great lover of music and singing. She would fondly reminisce about singing around the kitchen table with her 6 sisters. While a teenager, she worked as a domestic helper before moving to Wilkie, SK to work in a restaurant as a cook. There she met Anthony Reis and they were married in 1948.

Betty and Tony farmed in Scott, SK where they began raising their seven children until 1969 when the family moved to Westbank, BC. There she volunteered at kindergarten and continued to devote herself to being the kind and loving Mother that she was.

She enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing, knitting and crocheting, keeping her daughters in fashion with her efforts.

She made time for whomever knocked at her door, welcoming all who entered, with a cup of tea and something delicious baked with love from her oven.

When her children were older, Betty went back to school to become a long-term care aid. With her kind spirit and passion for helping others, she was ideally suited for this career, spending the next 20 years caring for elderly and special needs clients.

After retiring, Betty loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed travelling to see those who lived out of province. To Betty, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were like the jewels in a crown. She treasured each one of them, proudly enjoying every minute she spent with them.

It was in her late 50’s that Betty accepted Jesus as her Saviour. She became an active member of Evangel Tabernacle. She volunteered as a Youth Leader and regularly participated in Prayer Groups, Bible Studies, and Women’s Ministries. For many years Betty enjoyed a close circle of supportive friends. She outlived almost all of them.

Betty enjoyed going for walks – that’s how she got almost everywhere she needed to go. She loved and appreciated God’s creation…the sunshine and blue skies, the mountains, blossom time, and the Kelowna lakefront. She eagerly awaited the sight of daffodils popping up in spring, and she always had plants blooming inside and outside her home.

As the years passed, Betty suffered with dementia but never lost an opportunity to offer words of encouragement and gratitude … “Life is good” “We have so much to be thankful for” “This too shall pass” are phrases she would often say. And she always reminded everyone that “God is good.”

Betty will be fondly remembered by many as a loving, kind, and compassionate woman with open arms and an open heart and will be sadly missed.

Betty spent her last four years at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong, BC. We wish to thank the kind and thoughtful staff for their exceptional dedication to caring for our beloved Mother.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Evangel Church,3261 Gordon Dr, Kelowna, BC V1W 3N4.

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