Benjamin (Ben) Edward Betcher

On October 3, 2017, our hearts were broken as our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Ben Betcher, passed away.  He was 81 years of age.

Ben was born August 21, 1936.  He was the fifth of eight children born to Robert and Hilda Betcher.  As a child, he enjoyed playing pond hockey with his neighbours and friends from the Roaring River District and Lidstone area.  He spent many hours with his friends John Ginter, Ed Wesner and Irvin Heiman.  Most of all, Ben loved helping and working with his dad and brothers on the farm.  Farming became his passion at a young age.   He completed Grades 9 and 10 by correspondence.  School and especially Math came very easy to him and he relished the challenge of calculating numbers and problems in his head.  In his youth, Ben accepted Christ into his heart at Dauphin Lake Bible Camp and was later baptized at the Minitonas Baptist Church.

In 1961, Ben married Kay Fullerton of Kenville.  They were blessed with two children, Janice and Rick. Ben had a strong work ethic and took pride in starting and completing all jobs properly and efficiently.  When an issue arose, he spoke his mind and stood up for his beliefs.  In the early years, Ben worked as a parts man at Benson Motors and also in Victoria, British Columbia.  He worked as a plumber with his brother, Fred and later worked at Betcher Agencies with his brother, Arnold.  Throughout all these years, he also farmed with his brother, Harvey.  Many of his career endeavours involved his family.  Ben was most proud of farming with his son and partner, Rick. 

Ben did not have “hobbies”.  His love of the farm kept him busy year round – fixing and maintaining equipment, hauling grain, checking rain gauges, washing vehicles (This was a full time job!), plowing snow and keeping the homestead in “tip top shape”.  When all of these responsibilities were completed, Ben would consider a holiday but it had to be short and sweet.  Ben was a dedicated member of the Temple Baptist Church.  He served as a trustee, secretary-treasurer and was one of the original crew members to help build the Wellman Lake Bible Camp.  He enjoyed many years of hockey as a team manager and shared fond memories of good friends, close games and Rick’s teammates.  He later followed hockey, baseball and curling to cheer on his grandchildren.  Ben visited the Timberland daily, morning and afternoon, to visit, laugh and hear the current farming news.  He loved hearing and telling a good joke and would laugh until he cried. 

Ben’s greatest interests were his children and grandchildren.  He loved to spend time with them and spoke of them with love and pride.  He talked to Janice every day on the phone and asked about her husband, Art and the grandchildren, Jen and Matt and, of course, the weather.

He leaves to cherish his memory, Kay, his loving wife of 56 years; daughter Janice (Art Mantler) and their children Jennifer and Matthew; son Rick (Joanne) and their three children Delaney, Eden and Eli.  His brothers and sisters: Elsie Martens, Fred (Erna), Arnold (Elsie), George (Lorna), Rita Hettig and Harvey (Aneta) and numerous nephews and nieces.

Ben was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Hilda Betcher, brother Walter and his wife Marion, brothers-in-law Dieter Hettig and Jake Martens.

Visitation was held at the Chapel of Swan Valley Funeral Services, Swan River, Manitoba on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 7:00. The funeral service took place Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. from Temple Baptist Church, Swan River, Manitoba with Pastor Neal Effa officiating. Interment followed in the Birchwood Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in Ben’s memory may be made to the Temple Baptist Church - Building Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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