Betty became a member of our Chapter after her first surgery 20 years ago. Betty was an active and valuable member of the WOA and served in many capacities at the Chapter level. She became a trained visitor for our organization shortly after joining. She served on the Executive as treasurer from 1993 to 1998. Recently she had served as 2nd Vice-President from 2005 until the present. She attended UOA Inc. regional conferences in Green Bay, WI and also in Minneapolis. Betty showed her commitment to the organization by attending our UOAC conferences whenever possible to learn and explore the locales. She traveled to 6 out of the 10 Annual UOAC Conferences held in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Gander, Winnipeg, & Moncton. Last year she was part of a great contingent of WOA friends who traveled to Calgary. Her skills, quiet support, willingness to take on any job asked of her were such valuable qualities that we came to love and appreciate.
She is survived by three sisters, two brothers and their families. She was predeceased by her parents John F. and Margaret Friesen and one sister. Betty retired from Avant Ministries in 2006.
Betty's faith and work with her church were second only to the love of her family. Her eyes sparkled whenever she spoke of her family, her many nieces, nephews and the times they shared.
Her family held a wonderful service with sisters, nieces and other family sharing their memories, music, pictures and hospitality with all those who attended her service at Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church on February 14, 2008. They told of the years that Betty spent in Paraguay as a teacher, special times with their sister and aunt. Mourners went to the graveside holding balloons. As the coffin was lowered, everyone sang "I'll Fly Away" and released their balloons to the sun filled sky as a tribute to Betty..
It is difficult to realize that she will not be with us anymore. She will be greatly missed.
