October 9, 1944 – October 21, 2016

Betty Lobe of High River, Alberta passed away peacefully at the High River Hospital on October 21, 2016, surrounded by her husband, children, and loved ones.

Betty leave s to mourn her loving husband of 50 years, Gene, son Ivan (Logan Demerais), daughters Rachel (Andrew Moore) and Hilary (Erin Welte), as well as five ‘perfect’ grand-daughters; Julia, Madeleine, Elizabeth, Josephine, and Helena.

Betty was predeceased by her mother, Doris Coulter (1965), father, Glen Coulter (2014), beloved Uncle Devon Coulter (1996), and sister in law Jackie Coulter (2009). She is survived by her four younger siblings; Bonny Hamm (Jake), Gene Coulter (Debbie), Louise Coulter-Chomlak (Rick), and Calvin Coulter (Jane). Betty is also survived by Gene’s siblings: Vern Lobe (Joan), Donna Driedger (Irvin), Bert Lobe (Martha), and Gord Lobe (Pat). She will be missed by nieces and nephews, her wide circle of friends, and her many honorary grandchildren.

Mom was born in Mannville, Alberta on October 9, 1944 to Doris and Glen Coulter. She grew up in the Chailey district, a farming community just North of Mannville. Betty always referred to Chailey as ‘home’, and will be laid to rest in a family plot adjacent to the farm where she was raised.

Betty took her nursing degree in Lamont, Alberta, and did her nurses training at Archer Memorial Hospital, graduating in 1966. It was in Lamont that she met the love of her life, Gene Lobe. Gene noticed her at a curling bonspiel and was drawn immediately to the natural beauty with classic style.

Betty and Gene were married August 20, 1966, a week after her graduation. They moved to LaCrete Alberta, with 39 cents to their name to start their life together. Betty was asked to take a position as the Municipal Health nurse. Son Ivan was born in Ft. Vermilion in 1969, and daughter Rachel followed in 1971. In 1972, they moved to High River, Alberta, where daughter Hilary was born in 1973. They built their dream home on a bare piece of land just outside High River.

Mom truly loved working with the elderly, and had a knack for bringing out the very best in her residents, their families, and her colleagues. She was a Registered Nurse and worked at the Twilight Nursing Home, the High River Hospital (Second Floor), and the Extended Care in Vulcan. After retirement, Betty and Gene combined their interest in people and love of travel by volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service to help communities in need in various locales across North America. Betty did anything from working in the kitchen to hanging drywall in the homes she was helping construct. The MDS project in High River was near and dear to Betty’s heart.

Betty loved people, making connections wherever she went. She was often called upon to share her vast knowledge, to step in and lend practical assistance or emotional support, or to lighten the mood with her stories and her laughter. Betty had a quick and curious mind, and a remarkable memory for facts and details which made her a formidable Scrabble opponent.

Mom and Dad planned to see the world, and managed to visit 96 countries and 49 states. They had just completed a trip of a lifetime, an Alaskan Cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary with their six kids and five ‘perfect’ grand-daughters.

Betty’s family was her pride and joy. She loved being a wife, a mom, and her greatest accomplishment was being Mama B to her five little girls. The quote in Betty’s kitchen reads: “A happy family is but an earlier heaven”.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday October 28 at the Full Gospel Church in High River with an inurnment at St. Albans Cemetery in Chailey at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Disaster Service at www.mds.mennonite.net. To send condolences and view Betty’s Tribute Page please visit www.lylereeves.com . Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (403.652.4242).