Elizabeth “Betty” Hepsy Jaskela (nee Willis)

August 23, 1946 - September 7, 2024

Elizabeth “Betty” Hepsy Jaskela (Willis) was born in Milden, SK on August 23, 1946. She completed her primary and secondary school at Dinsmore School, where she made lifelong friends and was the life of every party. After high school, Betty moved to Saskatoon and attended the Saskatchewan Technical Institute of Saskatoon (Kelsey) to complete her Special Care Aid training.

Betty’s infectious laugh and huge hugs are forever in our hearts. She was a prolific gift-giver (so many nighties and black diamonds!) and introduced many a Kallio-girl suitor to jellied salads and socials. Betty loved her work caring for people and made many friends amongst her co-workers and patients at Dinsmore Hospital and nursing homes in Calgary and Red Deer. It was in Red Deer that she married her hometown boy from the Finn Hills, Roy Jaskela. Moving back to Saskatchewan in 1996, Roy and Betts made their home in Wiseton before moving to the Willis family home in Dinsmore a few years later. Betty often worked for her dear friends Gary and Joanne Stott, slinging drinks and entertaining all at the Dinsmore Hotel.

Betty was predeceased by her beloved parents, William and Bertha Willis, sister Violet, and husband Roy. She is survived by a huge circle of friends and family, including her best friend of more than 50 years, Shirley Wells, and her family; daughter Lyn Ferec, granddaughters Alicja Ferec and Cynthia (Stephen) Bosdet, and great-grandchildren Oliver and Hayden; and sister Peggy (Bob) Kallio, nieces Cynthia (Jerry), Natalie, and Leah, great-nieces Ashton and Finnley, great-nephews Jack and Tate, and great-great nephew Sullivan.

Special thanks to her much-loved staff at the Dinsmore Health Care Centre and everyone at the Outlook and District Health Centre.

A Graveside Service will be held in Dinsmore Cemetery, on Wednesday, September 25th at 2:00 P.M. with a lunch to follow in the Dinsmore Seniors Hall. In place of flowers, contributions to the Dinsmore Health Care Centre would be appreciated.