Mrs. Betty Bittner passed away on Friday, December 24 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, Yorkton, SK. She was 89 years of age. Betty was born on August 6, 1927 in Russell, MB, the daughter of Nevil and Florence (nee Guyatt) Cuss. She grew up in the village of Spy Hill and attended school at Bavelaw and then Spy Hill high school. In January 1945, with a small suitcase and forty dollars, Betty went to work as a ward aid at the Brandon General Hospital. In September 1945, she moved to Winnipeg to train as a nurse at the St. Boniface Sanitarium, graduating in 1947. In 1949, Betty met Bill McIvor and was married on October 17, 1949. They lived at Pickle Lake, Red Lake and eventually moved back to Winnipeg. They were blessed with three children: Bruce, Joan and Jacki. In January 1957, Betty went to work at the new Children's Hospital in Winnipeg where she trained to become a registered EEG Technician and then moved her family to Yorkton where she worked many years at the Yorkton Psychiatric Centre. Bill passed away in 1977. In 1982, Betty married Archie Russell who passed away in 1988. In 1989, Betty met and married the greatest love of her life, Irving Bittner. They had five wonderful years together until Irving passed away in 1994. Betty taught herself to knit, crochet and sew. She spent countless hours making amazing creations for all her children and later her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a soft spot for dogs, always spoiling them rotten. She always kept active bowling, cross country skiing, dancing, biking and swimming. Once she retired, she was a volunteer reader and visitor at the Yorkton Hospital. The most important thing to Betty was her family; she loved them dearly. She had a special bond with her grandchildren who will forever cherish her memory. Betty was predeceased by her parents, Nevil and Florence Cuss, and her brother, John Cuss. She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory: her children, Bruce (Donna), Joan (Doug) and Jacki; her grandchildren, Sandi (Jeff), Tara (Rod), Kari (Francis), Chay (Jason), Stacey (Bob), Ryan (Megan), Peter (Kathryn), Erin (Lee), Jordan (Christa), Daniel (Tricia) and Haley (Nathan); and 21 great-grandchildren; her cousin Dorothy (Bill) and numerous nieces and nephews. What a legacy of love! A Memorial Service was held on Friday, December 30, 2016 from First Baptist Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan with Pastor Steve Rosluk officiating. The organist, Karen DeLong led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "In the Sweet By and By", "How Great Thou Art" and " Nearer, My God, to Thee." Special taped music selections included, "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill as the processional and "Hallelujah" by the Tenors as a recessional. The Cremation Committal followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery, Yorkton, SK with Stacey Sullivan and Erin Hunt serving as the urn bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
