Betts – Wanda Belle (nee Lybbert) of Brooks, passed away December 20, 2022 at the age of 96 years. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Thorald Alma “Inj” Betts. Wanda was born in Cardston, Alberta on February 10, 1926 and raised in Glenwood, Alberta. After high school, she attended Normal School in Calgary. Wanda taught school briefly in Rosemary, where she met Inj, while harvesting potatoes on his brother’s farm. They were married January 5, 1946 in High River and together they bought and operated a farm at Gem. They also resided in various areas in Southern Alberta. In 1970, they sold the farm and bought a place in Cassils, where they lived until moving to Brooks in 2010. Wanda was a helpmate to Inj in all his endeavours, helping with livestock, driving the tractor, to timing at team roping events. She grew a garden for food, but also loved and grew flowers, especially petunias. Wanda was an excellent cook, delighting her children and grandchildren when she made them “kitty cat” pancakes. She also used her culinary skills cooking on ranches, where Inj worked and later in a restaurant in Brooks. She used her teaching skills helping her children and teaching school at Gem for several years. Wanda’s children knew the secret to Mona Lisa’s smile (as did every child she taught) – “I see you and you better correct your behaviour”. Her iron will behind that smile was a sufficient incentive. In later years Wanda took up the art of crocheting. She created beautiful afghans and blessed family and friends with these warm tokens of love. Wanda will be remembered as a kind, gracious, wise, generous and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings. Wanda is survived by her children, La Tresa Olson, Linda Rae and Tim (Fay); 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. No funeral will be held but a graveside service will take place December, 23 at 1:00 pm. at Brooks Cemetery. A Memorial Celebration of her life will take place in May. The only memorial tribute Wanda would desire would be to love and value your family and friends.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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