Elizabeth (Betty) Muriel Schlapkohl July 12, 1929 - December 30, 2012 It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth (Betty) Schlapkohl - wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Betty will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Arnold of 59 years; her daughter, Diane (Roland) Nordick; son, Wayne (Laurie) Schlapkohl; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Nordick, Michelle Nordick and Katherine Schlapkohl; one sister, Pauline Bilawich; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Betty was predeceased by her parents, Ignatius and Rose Dillman; four brothers, Valentine, Jake, Peter and John; four sisters, Marie, Magdalene, Rose and Katherine. Betty was the youngest of ten children and grew up on a farm nine miles northeast of Bienfait, Saskatchewan. Being of small stature - 5' 1-1/4" - she was nicknamed "little-bit" at Rich Prairie School. But her small stature was in no way indicative of her character. She was a very determined person, stood up for what she believed was right and could out-work many of the "skinny city boys" that were hired to help out at the farm during harvest. Her father passed away in 1944, leaving her and her mother and youngest brother on the farm. They lived there until her brother John was married and took over the family farm, at which time Betty and her mother moved to Estevan. She worked at Symons Grocery and Bakery, Grundeen Creamery and the Bank of Montreal. After her children grew up, she worked at Love Story for 20 years. Betty married Arnold Schlapkohl on April 30, 1953. Betty had a profound commitment to her marriage. She and Arnold not only found the love of their lives in each other, but tackled every task of daily living together and were best friends until the end. Betty also had a strong commitment to her children and grandchildren and cherished every moment that could be spent together with them. Betty also believed in "giving of herself" to her community. Accordingly, she was a leader for the 4th Estevan Brownie Pack for five years, Treasurer for the Cubs and Scouts Club and volunteer for the St. John Ambulance as well as their Treasurer. It was during this time that she was invited to Ottawa to receive the Serving Sisters Award from the then Governor General of Canada, Ray Hnatyshyn, for her years of volunteer work. Two years later, in 1992, she received the Volunteer Recognition award. Betty's faith in God was unwavering. She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church for fifty-five years and volunteered her time and talent in many ways over the many years. One of Betty's passions was dancing. Betty and Arnold were members of the Estevan square and round dance clubs for over 37 years. They also enjoyed old-time dancing. In their retirement years, Betty and Arnold were able to travel to many places around the world, play cards and coffee with friends and spend time with family. If there were any spare moments left in the day, Betty could be found quilting, gardening or reading. Elizabeth Muriel Schlapkohl was a great blessing to so many lives and will be greatly missed. A funeral service for Betty was held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Estevan on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Randy Kleemola officiated at the service. Interment followed in the Veterans Section at the Estevan City Cemetery. Those so wishing may make donations to St. Peter's Lutheran Church or the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home in Betty's memory. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Thank You Thank you to all the friends and family for your cards, phone calls, gifts of food and words of encouragement. Thank you to Allan Styre at Hall Funeral Services, and to the members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church for the funeral luncheon.
