Date of Birth: November 28, 1928
Date of Death: December 5, 2017
Betty Margaret passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, in Melville, SK, at the age of 89 years.
Betty was born Nov. 28, 1928, to Alec and Beatrice Speary in North Battleford, SK. She moved to Fenwood to live with her grandmother in 1934. Betty attended and completed her Grade 12 at the Fenwood School. She then moved to Melville but spent a great deal of time with her grandmother in Fenwood.
In 1950 Betty met Ed Ulmer in Fenwood, and they got married in 1952. They lived on the family farm until 1955 when the family farmhouse burned down; they then moved into the town of Fenwood. There they raised five children and as a family continued farming until their retirement in 2000; in 2004 they moved into Melville.
Betty had many hobbies; among her favourites were knitting, crocheting, quilting and playing bingo. She loved spending her evenings with her friends and family playing cards and beating her sons-in-law at cribbage. Betty served as the mayor of Fenwood for 17 years (1987-2004). She also served as president and secretary of many boards.
Some of Betty’s happiest times were following and watching her grandchildren in their activities; from dance and swimming to skating, hockey and golf, she was there to cheer them on.
Betty was predeceased by her husband, Ed; son, Daniel and grandson, Dean; two brothers, Jim and Earl; and two sisters, Heather and Dorothy.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Cathy (Ed) Burgess, Judy Ulmer (Jim), June (Dale) Matichuk, Sally Ulmer (Wayne) and Glenn (Robyn) Ulmer; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Tenille (Erick) and children, Ellie, Abigayle and Parker; Nicalla (Dave) and children, Kinsley and Zoey; Laine and daughter, Fanta; Rikki (Ron) and daughter, Zyenna; Tanner (Meig) and children, Tatum and Axel; Mitchell; Nevada; brothers Frank (Lyola) Speary and their son Peter, and Fred Speary; as well as many relatives and friends.
Betty’s funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017 at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville with the Rev. John Nieminen of Zion Lutheran Church officiating. The organist, Gaylene Matthews, led in the hymns “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.” At a prayer service held Friday evening, grandson Mitchell Matichuk offered remembrances on behalf of the family.
All of Betty’s relatives and friends were considered honorary pallbearers and interment took place in the Fenwood Cemetery with Vern Neuls, Gary Neuls, Tanner Burgess, Tenille Wieringa, Mitchell Matichuk and Nicalla Kollinger acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
