Obituary of Elizabeth "Betty" Rabe

RABE: Surrounded by her loving family, Elizabeth "Betty" Grace Rabe, passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Assiniboine Centre, Brandon Regional Health Centre, at the age of 88 years. Prior to her short time in hospital, Betty resided at Fairview Home since October 2018. Betty was born in Brandon on April 12, 1930. She grew up in the Beresford District and attended early school in Gardner and then on to high school in Alexander. Upon completion of high school, she continued her studies at Wheat City Business College where she trained to be a bookkeeper. She found employment at Hughs and Company real estate. Betty met her soon to be husband, Frank, while attending high school in Alexander. On November 22, 1952, Betty and Frank were married and began their life together. They celebrated their 66th anniversary last November. During their first few years of marriage, they built their own home on the Rabe family farm at NW 22 10 22 in the Alexander district. Together, they farmed and raised three children, Greg, Barry and Lori. Betty excelled at her role of farm wife and mother. She contributed to the labor of the farm as well as the bookkeeping. Betty always put her family first, putting needs of others before her own. She made the best of any challenge put before her, was a doer and not a complainer. Betty was a fantastic cook, gardener/canning, housekeeper, and was very organized. She enjoyed her hobbies and interests, was constantly learning something new; sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, needlepoint, ceramics, scrapbooking to name a few. She mastered whatever new project she tried. Family members will cherish many keepsakes of Betty's handiwork. Golfing and curling were sports she enjoyed. Betty was a dedicated member of the Alexander community. She put in countless hours during her 60 plus years in the community before Frank and Betty's move to Brandon. She was involved with the Alexander United Church, the UCW group, Order of the Easter Star, Alexander Rink, RM of Whitehead Centennial Committee, Community Club, Boy scouts, to name a few. Her bookkeeping and organizational skills, and of course her cooking and baking were a great asset to the community. Family time was enjoyed during many camping trips, then the cottage at Oak Lake, and then the past 30 years at Clear Lake. Betty always welcomed family and friends in her home. Through the years Frank, Betty and their gang of friends regularly had get-togethers to play cards, attend booster dances, fall suppers and brought in the New Year together. Until this past year, Betty enjoyed the once-a-month Friday afternoon tea parties with her dear Alexander friends. Great knowledge would come out of these get-togethers! As Betty's children got older, the family began to grow. She was the best mother- in-law and welcomed Wanda, Trinda and Terry with open arms. Soon after one by one, came six grandchildren which were Betty's pride and joy. She welcomed each new family member and created hand-made treasures for each one of them. The grandchildren cherish the time spent with gramma and the countless traditions she created for them. She supported the interests and activities of each grandchild and cheered them on in the stands. In her later years, Betty was blessed with four great grandchildren. Her face lit up whenever she had a visit from them. Betty lived her life as a positive role model for all of us, kind, caring, positive, hard-working, humble and always had a smile on her face. Betty will be lovingly remembered by her husband Frank, son Greg (Wanda), son Barry (Trinda), daughter Lori (Terry) Senkbeil. Also left to cherish their grandmother's passing is Melissa (Ben), Cody (Amy), Justin (Karla), Krysten (Dave), Cory, Kinsley and Betty's four great grandchildren; Max, Cooper, Beau, Myla; sister Pat McManes and brother Gordon Thompson as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her parents William and Flora Thompson, brother Jack Thompson, sister-in-law Donna Thompson, brother-in-law Hugh McManes and niece Dianna McManes. The memorial service to honour Betty's life took place on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Central United Church, officiated by Rev. Doug Neufeld. Private family interment took place at Alexander Cemetery prior to the service. Donations in memory of Betty may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 4B-457-9th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4A9 or to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation "Palliative Care", 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3. The family would like to thank staff with the BRHA Home Care program, the staff at Fairview Home 4th Floor for their care and compassion during Betty's short time there, Dr. L. Groves for his years of excellent care to Betty, Dr. J. Deong and the staff on the Palliative Unit for their guidance and care over the past weeks. Those we love do not go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.