RESSLER – Elizabeth Anne (Betty) Ressler of Brooks, Alberta passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 5, 2017 surrounded by her loving children. Betty was born near Mendham, Saskatchewan on March 2, 1926 to Franz and Barbara Bischoff. During her childhood, Betty enjoyed country life with her mother, father, and many brothers and sisters. At the age of 18, Betty left the family farm to begin her career as a teacher at a one-room schoolhouse in Prelate, Saskatchewan. In April of 1947, Betty married Jack Ressler. The two spent the early years of their marriage in Saskatchewan, before traveling to Alberta in 1949 and finding their permanent home in Brooks in 1952. Betty’s family was her passion and delight. When her son, Jamie joined the family, Betty took a sabbatical from teaching to care for him. Four years later, the family grew again when they welcomed daughter, Colleen. Betty loved supporting her children and was often found at the ice rink, encouraging her children through hockey games and figure skating competitions. Betty cherished the Brooks community and was actively involved in the Catholic Women’s League and directed several choirs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. After raising her children, she returned to teaching numerous grades in the Brooks Public School system, leaving only to take over the ownership and management of Ressler’s Carwash upon the passing of her beloved husband. Betty was both an extrovert and introvert and could be found laughing and chatting with customers at the carwash just as easily as she could be found buried in a good book or mulling over a complex crossword puzzle. Above all, Betty loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and is remembered dearly for her loving nature and quick wit. Betty is predeceased by her husband, Jack, her brothers Frank, Leonard, George, Eugene, Adam and Daniel and sisters Madeline, Rosemaria, and Barbara. Betty leaves to cherish her memory her son Jamie (Sandy) Ressler and her daughter Colleen (Jim Holkestad) Anderson as well as her four grandchildren; Scott Ressler, Kelly Ressler, Taylor (Jordan Ishag) Anderson, Peyton Holkestad and great granddaughter Addison Ishag, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Mass was Celebrated on Friday August 11, 2017 at 1:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brooks. Rev. Bryan Frank Celebrant. A luncheon followed after at the St Mary’s Parish Hall. Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of Sunrise Gardens and Home Care for the care and compassion they showed Betty during her final years. In memory of Betty, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either Alzheimer Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8 or Canadian Cancer Society, #200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 9Z9. Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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