Betty Fonstad

Betty Ann Fonstad passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Thursday, February 22, 2018 with her daughter Pat by her side.

Betty was born March 22, 1931 in St Thomas, Ontario. She was the eldest child of Elsie and Harry Kitchenham. Betty had one younger brother, Don, who predeceased her. Her dad served in the war and

was away for several years, so she was raised by her mother.

When she was 18, she fell in love and married Olof Edgar (Ed) Fonstad. Betty is survived by her two children, Gordon and Pat. Gordon has one daughter, Dianna while Pat and her husband Randy, have three children Cara (Mike), Geneva (Lorne) and Kent. Betty has an

honorary Swiss grandson, Christophe (Doris), and has several

great grandchildren, Shaun (27), Michelle (26), Amara (19),

Connor (13), Myla (11), Bennett (9), Nik and Kay (6).

Ed was in the Canadian Armed Services, so the family moved around a lot within Canada. They had one year at Edwards Airforce Base in California and three years at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire England.

When Betty and Ed moved back to Canada, they were stationed in Winnipeg which is where they lived when Ed retired. After Ed passed away, Betty moved to Canmore to be closer to Pat and her family.

Betty became active with the Canmore Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Anglican Church Women. She loved to knit and made many sweaters that were sold in the tuck shop at the hospital as well as at craft fairs. She also loved to bake and her baking was always to be found at the many bake sales at the church.

Betty had been in Long Term Care since May of 2015. While there, when the weather allowed, one of the highlights of her week

became the Tri-shaw bicycle rides, being driven around the Town

of Canmore by volunteers for FCSS. She was like the Queen, waving at everyone. And they usually waved back! She always had dog biscuits and the bicycle driver had to stop for each dog, so Betty could give them a pat and a biscuit.

In the few days since her death the family has received many emails with words describing her as sweet (that was the most common), feisty, formidable and an endless resiliency.

No summary of Betty's life would be complete without acknowledging the dedication, hard work and love that Dr. Duggleby and the medical staff at the Golden Eagle View showed towards Betty.

Her family will be eternally grateful. There is no finer place on earth to find the kind of compassionate care that we have right here in Canmore.

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Betty was held at

her long-time church, St. Michael's Anglican in Canmore

on Saturday, September 22, 2018.

Friends wishing to remember Betty are encouraged to make a donation, in her memory, to Canmore Hospital Ladies Auxiliary,

Box 40016, Canmore, AB T1W 3H9 (chladiesaux@gmail.com)

We love you mom and we will miss you!

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.