Obituary of Elizabeth "Betty" Senchuk
<p style="text-align: justify;"> Elizabeth (Betty) Senchuk (Haverluk) was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She left this world peacefully on February 20th, 2023 at the age of 95. Betty was born on January 16th, 1928 on her family ranch near Belfield, North Dakota to Matthew and Martha Haverluk. Her actual birthdate has always been in question, and a running joke within her family. Always unable to confirm the date, due to her birth records burning in a church fire, Betty was able to use this information (or lack thereof) to her advantage when need be. For example, it would be 1928 when she applied for Old Age Pension, or 1929 when her birthday came around. Either way, she was always willing to play along with the mystery.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Together, with her seven siblings, Betty helped with daily ranch and home chores, tended to the livestock, including roping and branding the cattle, and attended the rodeos her parents held on the family land. Life on the ranch was full of adventure and hard work, chores always had to be done before any trips to town for fun and entertainment.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> While on a family holiday to Canada, Betty met the love of her life, John Senchuk. She returned to marry him a few short months later, on March 31st, 1948. Together, they were blessed with five children; Leah, Marlene, Freddy, Gail and Ken. As a testament to their generosity, John and Betty fostered a young infant named Ronnie. They were greatly saddened when he was adopted about a year after being a part of their family, but soon their son Freddy was born and brought so much joy to their hearts once more. While raising their children on Victoria Avenue, the Senchuk family made many friendships and memories that have lasted a lifetime for both the parents and children alike. Betty was the type of mom where the kids had to learn to be independent, between getting themselves back and forth to school and activities, keeping on top of the housekeeping, or trying to stay out of trouble running around the neighbourhood, as long as everyone was home for meals and bedtime, it was all good.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> During a road trip to British Columbia, John accepted a job in Chilliwack. Soon after, he and Betty packed up the car with their young children to start their new careers. Betty worked at Fields Department Store, then babysat full time. Throughout her lifetime, BC always held a special place in Betty’s heart, earning her the nickname “BC Granny”, given to her by her grandkids and many others who met her.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Betty’s faith and the church were a fundamental part of her daily life. Whether it was helping a friend or stepping forward as President of the UCWL several times, Betty was genuine, dedicated, and always there to lend a helping hand to her fellow parishioners.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> In 1983, John and Betty returned back to Saskatchewan in order to be surrounded by family and friends, following John’s cancer diagnosis. After John’s passing, Betty eventually purchased a house and moved back to Yorkton permanently. She loved her home, it was always well-maintained and beautifully decorated, and this is where she resided until a few months before her passing. Nothing about it was a typical “old lady” home, she loved compliments on her style and, it was a place where everyone felt instantly comfortable (even though she usually had the furnace set at 28 degrees!)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Being back in Saskatchewan, Betty was able to play an active role in her children and six granddaughter’s lives. Whether she was in Esterhazy visiting and catching up with friends and the Cushmans, at the farm gardening and baking with the Protz family, or tackling the project of the day with the Kluks, wherever she was, or whatever the task, she was always there to lend a helping hand and suggest how you could do things a bit more like her. She was so proud of her entire family and ready for any adventures their active lives would take her on. She was a wonderful role model for her young granddaughters, who before she knew it, all became strong women under her guidance and encouragement. She loved her entire family equally and unconditionally.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Betty held a variety of jobs around Yorkton. Always keeping busy, she continued to be active in the church and travel. On some of her many journeys, she’d go with her friends the Garsons to Hawaii, to California to visit family with her siblings and in-laws, and many trips back to her home state of North Dakota to visit her family and their families. She loved her brothers and sisters and always spoke so highly of them, and certainly cherished the times they were able to be together! To escape the long Saskatchewan winters, Betty was welcomed by friends, who soon became family, The Bennewiths in BC. Gail’s childhood friend, Cheryl, always had a special bond with Betty, and would graciously host her for several weeks or months at a time, at her home with her husband Jim and their children. “BC Granny'' spent her time in Chilliwack visiting old friends, making many new ones, passing on Ukrainian recipes and traditions, and enjoying their sunshine and early Springs. Betty had a memorable trip to Alaska to attend a family wedding, and good thing she liked it there, as she had a hard time proving her citizenship to re-enter Canada. A few years later, Betty traveled to Mexico with Marlene to visit Merv and Leah, and was treated to a tour of Mazatlan, soaking in the sun & dipping her toes in the ocean one more time.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Betty was definitely not your typical “Grandma”, while some seniors are tuning into game shows and eating dinner by 4pm, that’d be about the time Betty would jump in her gold Taurus, and be seen zooming down Broadway with what appeared to be no apparent driver in the car, because she was too short to see over the steering wheel. She stayed up late and slept in later than most, often calling one of her kids to tune into whatever she found interesting on TV, at all hours of the day. Famously late for most events, she made sure to never leave the house without being accessorized to the “top of the line” in her rings, earrings, necklaces and usually some form of animal print. Once out socializing, she even enjoyed her occasional drink of scotch.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> As time passed, Betty’s aches and pains eventually limited her mobility more and more. But she continued to take pride in her home and yard, appreciated a clean vehicle inside & out, and believed in the importance of laundry hung out on the clothesline, and was always mending something. Perhaps what she’ll be most remembered for is her dedication to her beauty routine. If there was a serum, lotion, or cream that promised to be good for your skin, she’d add it to the mix of her skincare products - no matter the cost. While this regiment was no doubt time consuming, it paid off. Regardless of how old she was, no one believed her because she “looked too good to be that age”, which always made her day and put a smile on her face!</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Betty spent the last few years attending the Lion’s Day Wellness program a few days a week, and although it got harder to be out and about, she always enjoyed venturing to Gail & Dave’s to tackle the project of the day, whether it was making perogies, cabbage rolls or mushroom tarts, she’d be there helping, telling stories and instructing everyone on how they could do it a little more like her. The highlight of many of Betty’s days was Ken coming over to make lunch or breakfast with her, and the lively conversations they would share.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Betty lived out her final months within the Preeceville and Yorkton Nursing Home and eventually the Yorkton Hospital. She was a social butterfly and made friends quickly. During her two weeks spent in Preeceville, she was adored and there were many staff and residents who were sad to see her relocate to Yorkton so soon, but they reminded her she was welcome back at any time! Betty was such a bright spirit and everyone who met her felt her warmth and appreciated her spunk. She will be very dearly missed, but her family is so grateful to have had 95 years with her.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Holding cherished memories of Betty in their hearts is her beloved family: Daughter Leah (Merv) Cushman and their daughters Amber Cushman, Sarah (Mike) Kozel: great-grandchildren Parker and Paige. Daughter Marlene Protz and her daughters Shawna Protz (Fred): great grandchildren Jesse; Daniel and Kelly; and Joedy (Mike) Hammer. Son Freddy Senchuk. Daughter Gail (Dave) Kluk, and their daughters Nikki Kluk, Dana (Curtis) Rhinas: great-grandson Rhett. Son Ken (Sherri) Senchuk. Also, daughters in her heart, Cheryl Bennewith (Jim) Burns, their children Michelle Burns and Logan Burns; and Leigh Bennewith. Betty is survived by her only remaining and greatly cherished sister, Olga Reiter of Fargo, North Dakota, dear sister- in-law, Anne Haverluk of Fort Collins, Colorado, and special brother-in-law, Willie Hnatiuk.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Betty was predeceased by her Johnny in 1983, her parents; Matthew and Martha Haverluk, her sister Katherine (Christ) Hatzenbiler, brother Sam Haverluk, brother Fred (Oma) Haverkuk, sister Ann (Bill) Swetland, brother Nick (Pauline) Haverluk, brother George (Catherine) Haverluk, and brother-in-law Louie Rieter.</p>
Friday
24
February
Visitation 5
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday, February 24, 2023
Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton
45 5th Ave. N.
YORKTON, Saskatchewan, Canada
Interment
Yorkton City Cemetery
King St. East
YORKTON, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Elizabeth "Betty"
