Betty Ruth RevesJanuary 6, 1925 - September 13, 2011The death of Mrs. Betty Ruth (nee Winterbottom) (Bendig) Reves of Saskatoon, SK, (and formerly of Bruno, SK), occurred at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. She was 86 years of age. Betty was born on January 6, 1925, to William and Ruth (nee Levesly) Winterbottom at Leamington, ON, where she was raised and educated. Betty became employed at an early age, working at a strawberry ranch and in the Heinz Tomato Factory in Leamington. Eventually, she met Nick Bendig of Bruno, Saskatchewan, who was working in Ontario and a special relationship developed between them. Nick returned to Bruno with Betty and, in 1947, they were married there. They began their life together on a farm near Bruno. Their union was blessed with ten children, three sons and seven daughters; however, one daughter died at a young age. As well as being a busy homemaker and mother of a large family, Betty helped Nick with their farming operation. In 1965, after only 18 years of marriage, Nick passed away prematurely. Now a single parent with nine children, Betty carried on as best as she could. In 1973, she married Alex Reves in Bruno. They resided on her farm southwest of Bruno. Betty and Alex retired in the mid-1980s and moved into the town of Bruno where they enjoyed their retirement years together until Alex's death in 1998. Betty continued living in Bruno until 2008, when she moved to Caleb Manor Seniors Residence in Saskatoon, her home until the present. Betty lived a full and productive life. She was an amazing cook whose meals, baking, homemade bread and pies were second-to-none. Her "green thumb" was obvious also, as she planted and harvested bountiful gardens each year, and preserved the fruits of her labour. Betty's favourite leisure activity was playing bingo, for which she had a passion. Throughout her life, Betty gained many close friends; she was known respectfully in and around the Bruno community, and also endeared herself to the staff and other residents at her current home, who will truly miss her. Her absence will especially be felt by her beloved family. She leaves them a beautiful legacy, special memories, and her indelible footprints on their hearts. Betty will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by three sons, six daughters, ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: Warren Bendig of Saskatoon; Debbie Bendig of Victoria, BC; Bob Bendig of Bruno; Judy Bendig (Mark Nerenberg) of Saskatoon and her family, Nicole (Rob) Penkala and their children Carter and Tatum, Addie, and Kayla; Terry Bendig of Lloydminster, AB; Kathy (Dave) McBeth of Calgary, AB, and their son Dallas; Sandy (Carie) Stroud of High River, AB, and her family, Sheri (Clint) Rivers and their children Austin, Casandra, Olivia and Elijah, and Nick; Karen (James) Wasylyshen of Saskatoon and their son Anthony; and Paulette (Gary) Boychuk of Saskatoon and their family, Jordan, Rachel and Garret; one brother and two sisters: Clare (Anne) Winterbottom of Windsor, ON, Dorothy (Murray) Cascadden and Janet (Steve) Vigh, all of Leamington, ON; many nieces and nephews; and by numerous in-laws of the Bendig and Reves families. She was predeceased by her first husband, Nicholas Alexander Paul Bendig; daughter, Joyce Bendig; second husband, Alex Reves; parents, William and Ruth (nee Levesly) Winterbottom; and by two sisters and one brother: Hilda, Norma, and Wilfred. The Prayer Service for Betty was held at St. Bruno R.C. Church, Bruno, on Friday, September 16, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. Scripture readers were Sandra Stroud and Mark Nerenberg and the eulogy was delivered by James Wasylyshen. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Bruno R.C. Church on Saturday, September 17, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Joseph Ackerman, OSB. Others taking part were: Kayla Bendig, cross bearer; Margaret Gebauer, Addie Johnson and Brittney Reid, scripture readers; Colette Chantler, intentions; Armella Koob and Phyllis Greuel, gift bearers. Pallbearers were Gary Boychuk, James Wasylyshen, Dave McBeth, Addie Johnson, Mark Nerenberg and Nick Steil Interment followed at St. Bruno R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Royal University Hospital Foundation or the St. Bruno Parish Building Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
