Obituary of Elizabeth Lewis

Elizabeth Pearl Lewis was born June 3, 1933 on the Rancier farm north of Killam, the oldest daughter of Jim and Annie Rancier. Betty attended Selby School to grade 7 before going to the Killam Public School. She graduated in 1950 from Central High and commenced secretarial work in the Killam School Division. After 5 ½ years there Betty moved to Edmonton and worked for the Department of Education for 3 ½ years. On June 29, 1958 Cecil and Betty drove to see the crop he had just seeded and Cecil said their marriage planned for November 7th would depend on whether this crop was a success. Betty and Cecil married that year and have thoroughly enjoyed the farming way of life. To this union three children were born, Brent, Randy and Denise. Betty also worked off the farm doing hair in the extended care, homecare, and catering with Marilyn. She has probably fed everyone here today and more than once. She loved cooking at the auction mart and feeding the Killam Lions Club. Music was a staple in Betty's life. She loved her years performing with the church and community choir, quartets, trios and solos along with playing the organ at the Killam Baptist Church. While the kids were growing up family get-togethers with the Sorenson's everyone would gather around the piano to sing. Well the Sorenson's would sing and the Lewis's would hum along. Her annual summer vacation was focused on the Southern Gospel Music Celebration in Red Deer. Each grandchild was strongly urged to attend, and each one did. Betty worked incredibly hard despite her health struggles. She was dealt more than her share and took it all in stride. The past year her body lost its bounce as her health deteriorated rapidly. After several falls and mini strokes, KICKING & SCREAMING, she entered the Killam Long Term Extended Care where she spent her last days. Following her decision to decline further medical treatment, she surpassed all medical expectations living 21 days without fluid. To which her doctor remarked - "he would have expected no less from Betty". She is survived by her husband of 56 years Cecil, and her children Brent (Dyanna), Randy (Marilyn) and Denise (Dale), grandchildren Nolan (Marisa), Megan, Mikayla, Emily, Avery, Aiden, Gavin, Devan (Janelle), Blair (Noreen), Kristal (Dustin), Cody, Jamie, Sonya, great-grandchild Mason, one sister Jean (Ralph) and one brother Gordon (Elsie), two sisters-in-law Val, Shireen and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her parents Jim and Annie, brothers Bob and Norman. Memorial donations in memory of Betty may be made to the Killam Hospital Palliative Care or a charity of the donor's choice.