Fred Betker
1950-04-08 2010-03-15
BETKER, Fred Robert 1950 - 2010
It is with great sadness that Fred's family announces that he passed away suddenly from ARDS on Monday, March 15th 2010 at St. Paul's Hospital.
Fred was born April 8th, 1950 to Fred and Ruth Betker. Fred is survived by his loving family, wife and best friend, Sheila; son, Fred; daughter, Tricia (Layne) and their son, Layton; son, Les, his wife, Amy and their children, Noah, Abby and Mya; mother, Ruth; sister, Gloria; brother, Richard (Margaret); sister-in-law, Donna Findlater; brother-in-law, Hugh (Teresa) Fraser; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and also Fred's daughter, Lisa (Paul) Kirby and their children, Elizabeth, Alexa, Olivia and Delaney, all of Big Foot, Montana.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Ruthie Betker and Pat Sherdahl; father, Fred; mother-in-law, Helen Fraser; father-in-law, Hugh Fraser; brothers-in-law, Vern Sherdahl and Gordon Findlater.
Fred started life in Manitou, Manitoba, moving to the farm in Saskatoon area at age 2 and then into Saskatoon at age 7. He attended Caswell Elementary School and Bedford Road Collegiate. At age 12 Fred was delivering flyers for Mercury Printers and at 13 also worked for Nestor's Bakery. Later he worked at the Hudson Bay Store and a nickel mine in Thompson, Manitoba. He farmed with his Grandpa and uncles for a time before going to work for Kaiser Coal in Sparwood, British Columbia. In 1973 Fred returned to Aberdeen to farm. Fred and Sheila started and operated several companies together over the years and he ended his career retiring in June 2008.
Fred was a proud charter member of the Saskatoon Boys Pipe Band. He was Drum Major when they had the honor of performing at EXPO '67 and of drumming at the funeral of the late Right Honorable John G. Diefenbaker. He was also a former member of Strathfleet Pipes & Drums and the North Saskatchewan Regiment Pipes & Drums. Fred was a member of the A.F. and A.M. Asquith Lodge #146 and was a member of the board of the Riversdale Business Improvement District until the time of his passing.
He was a caring and compassionate man known for his great sense of humor and jokes. A caring friend to so many. Fred loved Sunday family suppers, movies and popcorn with Layton, pot gardening, and helping family, friends and neighbors.
The family extends sincere thanks to City Hospital Emergency, M.D.Ambulance, St. Paul's Hospital Emergency and the ICU doctors, nurses and staff who tried so hard to save Fred's life. A Service of Remembrance will take place on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 63 followed by a reception. (606 Spadina Crescent West). For those so wishing memorial donation may be made to the Saskatchewan Lung Association (1231 8th Street East Saskatoon, SK S7H 0S5) or St. Paul's Hospital ICU (1702 20th Street West Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Z9). Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME. 244-5577
It is with great sadness that Fred's family announces that he passed away suddenly from ARDS on Monday, March 15th 2010 at St. Paul's Hospital.
Fred was born April 8th, 1950 to Fred and Ruth Betker. Fred is survived by his loving family, wife and best friend, Sheila; son, Fred; daughter, Tricia (Layne) and their son, Layton; son, Les, his wife, Amy and their children, Noah, Abby and Mya; mother, Ruth; sister, Gloria; brother, Richard (Margaret); sister-in-law, Donna Findlater; brother-in-law, Hugh (Teresa) Fraser; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; and also Fred's daughter, Lisa (Paul) Kirby and their children, Elizabeth, Alexa, Olivia and Delaney, all of Big Foot, Montana.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Ruthie Betker and Pat Sherdahl; father, Fred; mother-in-law, Helen Fraser; father-in-law, Hugh Fraser; brothers-in-law, Vern Sherdahl and Gordon Findlater.
Fred started life in Manitou, Manitoba, moving to the farm in Saskatoon area at age 2 and then into Saskatoon at age 7. He attended Caswell Elementary School and Bedford Road Collegiate. At age 12 Fred was delivering flyers for Mercury Printers and at 13 also worked for Nestor's Bakery. Later he worked at the Hudson Bay Store and a nickel mine in Thompson, Manitoba. He farmed with his Grandpa and uncles for a time before going to work for Kaiser Coal in Sparwood, British Columbia. In 1973 Fred returned to Aberdeen to farm. Fred and Sheila started and operated several companies together over the years and he ended his career retiring in June 2008.
Fred was a proud charter member of the Saskatoon Boys Pipe Band. He was Drum Major when they had the honor of performing at EXPO '67 and of drumming at the funeral of the late Right Honorable John G. Diefenbaker. He was also a former member of Strathfleet Pipes & Drums and the North Saskatchewan Regiment Pipes & Drums. Fred was a member of the A.F. and A.M. Asquith Lodge #146 and was a member of the board of the Riversdale Business Improvement District until the time of his passing.
He was a caring and compassionate man known for his great sense of humor and jokes. A caring friend to so many. Fred loved Sunday family suppers, movies and popcorn with Layton, pot gardening, and helping family, friends and neighbors.
The family extends sincere thanks to City Hospital Emergency, M.D.Ambulance, St. Paul's Hospital Emergency and the ICU doctors, nurses and staff who tried so hard to save Fred's life. A Service of Remembrance will take place on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 63 followed by a reception. (606 Spadina Crescent West). For those so wishing memorial donation may be made to the Saskatchewan Lung Association (1231 8th Street East Saskatoon, SK S7H 0S5) or St. Paul's Hospital ICU (1702 20th Street West Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Z9). Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME. 244-5577