BETTY BERNADETTE RATHGEBER (FILKOWSKI)

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BETTY BERNADETTE RATHGEBER
(nee FILKOWSKI)
June 17, 1930 - February 14, 2020

Betty peacefully passed 4:00 a.m., February 14, 2020, at Riverview Health Centre.
Mom was born in Chin, Alberta. She was the seventh child born to Katherine and John Filkowski who emigrated from Poland / Ukraine in 1929. Mom was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, John, William, Walter, Tony, Jennie and Mary. Mom attended school in the Coaldale / Coalhurst area, then successfully completed secretarial school in Lethbridge.
Mom moved to Winnipeg following her first marriage and was blessed with four daughters, Dianna Papp, Rennie Crossley, Lucy Hamelin (deceased) and Patricia Buck, as well as grandsons, Ollie Hamelin and Kerry Hamelin, granddaughter Tanya Falinski and great-grandson Hunter Falinski. Family expanded further with additional granddaughter Winnie Seidu (Ibraham Seidu) and great-granddaughters, Amina and Aliya. She was the matriarch of the family and her examples of faith, courage and strength will never be forgotten. Mom, you are greatly cherished, loved and missed.
Mom's enduring and fiercely loyal love to her family will always be remembered. She was a bright star with a quick sense of wit and never-ending humour that will be fondly remembered by any and all who were blessed to have known her. She was quite a "people person" and upon meeting Mom, one would immediately recognize the brightness in her mischievous eyes and her youthful attitude.
Mom was blessed with a second marriage to Willie Rathgeber (deceased), and developed self-taught business skills that resulted in a successful grocery store in Winnipeg. Although Mom had worked very hard to this point, she was excited as she spent time travelling through Europe, Canada, United States and Mexico.
Later years were spent at Autumn House, with a community of endearing people who shared and appreciated her laughter, wit and personality. Mom was known for her weekly "joke" that was read at Thursday coffee, bringing a chuckle or perhaps sometimes a raised eyebrow. It has been mentioned that the jokes are already hugely missed. She loved bowling and her daily walks. Mom was an amazing artist whose use of colour and technique was impressive.
She volunteered for many years and loved to be a part of these ventures which helped develop her supervisory skills? She was often a sympathetic ear to someone who was having a hard time. Most of her community of the past 20 years passed away before her, but the family would like to recognize and thank the Autumn House angels: Irwin, Christina, Muriel, Norah, Ann Marie, Lucille and Judy for their support and love to the time of her passing.
As well to recognize and thank Mount Carmel Clinic for the past 28 years of caring and sharing that reflected a dignity and honour on Mom, for seeing her as the person described above as she moved forward into her golden years. Hearing all the greetings and seeing individual staff take the time to "chat" with her was a blessing and the family is in awe of the love and kindness you showed her.
Cremation has taken place and Mom's ashes will be laid with her predeceased daughter Lucy. An honouring and remembering of Mom will take place with her family and Autumn House Community.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 25, 2020