Bette Strutt
STRUTT - Elizabeth (Bette) May Strutt of Brock, Saskatchewan.
Our Mom passed away peacefully on September 30, 2022 in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.
Bette was born in Loverna, Saskatchewan on February 12th, 1931 to Beth and Jack Allen. With short stays in Loverna and Smiley until moving to Brock in 1941, where her Dad was employed at Brock Hardware and Lumber.
If there was a sport Bette loved it - skating, curling, skiing, tobogganing, loving the outdoors! At the age of 16, Bette’s love of music and singing earned her a Bursary at QDS (Quappelle Dioscen Scool for Girls) in Regina where her grandmother was a teacher. She learned to enjoy tennis, and fine tuned her beautiful voice. After Graduating the RBC Bank was her calling, with stays in Plenty and Kerrobert. She dated a handsome farmer named Glen Strutt from Brock, whom she married on May 27, 1950 at Third Avenue United Church, Saskatoon. After combining that year Bette and Glen moved to Manson and Violet Strutt’s farm to build their beautiful and fulfilling life together. Over the next twelve years they were blessed with 10 Children. Together building a mixed farming operation consisting of horses, cows (Beef & Dairy) pigs, chickens, turkeys (Brock Annual Fowl Supper) even peacocks. With the size of the family, one can only imagine Bette’s vegetable garden. Before we could attend the Gymkhanas the garden had to be weeded.
Baking, there was always the smell of bread, buns, cinnamon buns, butter tarts ... just to name a few, no one ever went away hungry. All 10 school lunch bags were in a row by the front door, 2 years all went on the bus together. Imagine watching that bus drive out the lane with 8 hours of silence.
Brock United Church was blessed with Bette’s maternal and musical talents, teaching Sunday School, leading the Childrens Choir, as well as the Brock Community Choir for OVER 50 years. Bette was summoned by many to sing for weddings, funerals, etc. Saturday night was bath night, then the whole family would pack in the station wagon with pillows and blankets, off to Kindersley to the Drive-in. Sewing kids clothes and picking up knitting were great accomplishments as well.
Travel memories included a month long bus trip to Florida, with many interesting stops, even a cruise which seasickness took over. Disneyland, Alaska, Vancouver, NWT, Jamaica being the setting for 80th Birthday, and celebrate she did, Penthouse, sight seeing, always was a favourite trip.
Mesa became a winter getaway where Bette found her passion for painting, which she has left an amazing collection. Many friendships made in those years became life long friendships, hosting a Saskatchewan weekend at the farm. The following years were focused on the beautification of the acreage, out went the corrals, bins, bales, and in with 300 trees planted to stage a golf course. Irrigation transformed the yard into an oasis, earning the Community in Blooms Award for Bette’s stunning Flowerbeds. A Rock Garden at the driveway bears the names of her Beloved Family ... over one hundred!
In 2017 Caleb Village Retirement Complex became their new home, the amenities offered there made the transition from the farm much easier.
Bette touched so many lives, guaranteed her name comes up with many fond memories. May she Rest In Peace knowing her life was Complete.
Bette is predeceased by her loving husband Glen of 69 years, passing in September 2019; son Timothy John aged 9 years in December 1968; Grandson Dustin McConnell, age 17 yrs in July 2010; Grandson Owen Strutt, age 29 in September 2010.
Survived by Children Alana (Mal) McConnell; Diane (Ron) McConnell; Art Strutt; Ken Strutt; Mike (Kelli) Strutt; Robin (Mel) Glencross; Nancy (George) Vanthyne; Marilyn (Byron) Helgason; 21 Grand Children, 47 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great Great Granddaughter and brother Terry Allen.
Memorial Donations can be made to the Brock Community Centre or Brock Cemetery.
Funeral Service were held on Friday October 7th at Brock Community Centre with Reverend Peter Strzelecki, Kindersley United Church officiating. Burial at Brock Cemetery following the Service.
Arrangements entrusted to Kindersley Community Funeral Home.