Betty Merkel

The Funeral Mass for the late Betty Merkel will take place on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 11:00 am from the Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Swift Current with Fr. Daniel Malone and Deacon David Hagel officiating.

A Prayer Service will take place Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. from Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Church.

For those wishing, donations to the Cabri Health Care Auxiliary, Box 104, Cabri, SK. S0N0J0 would be appreciated by the family.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth (Betty) Merkel, age 90, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Prairie Health Care Center, Cabri, SK. Elizabeth (Betty) Madeline Merkel was born on January 10, 1935, at Quinton, SK, the youngest child of Martin & Elizabeth Foraie, including 3 sisters, Agnes Kulczycki (Matt), Gladys Leibel (Matt), Julia Silzer (Fernie); 2 brothers, Louie Foraie (Margaret, Kathy), Alex Foraie (Doreen); and a sister, Elizabeth, who passed in infancy. Betty grew up on the family farm in the Raymore area and completed her schooling at Flanders School. She met her husband, Carl Merkel, in the Raymore area and they were married on June 13, 1953. They were blessed with six children – Don (Lori), Rick (Meredith), Wayne (Sharon), John (Michele), Greg (Carol), and Joanne (Todd); 11 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Carl, July 2010; her parents, Martin & Elizabeth Foraie; as well as by all her dear siblings. Betty & Carl started their lives together in the Raymore area where their 4 sons, Don, Rick, Wayne, John, were born. They received love and support from Betty’s mother and mother-in-law who lived nearby. Carl, who had been working for the Raymore Coop accepted a transfer to Lipton in 1961 to manage the building of a new Coop Service Center. There another son, Greg, and finally a daughter, Joanne, were added to the family. In January 1968, they moved to Kyle as Carl had accepted a transfer to manage the Pioneer Coop Grocery Store & Service Station. In 1972, Betty & Carl purchased the Esso Service Station in Kyle and both Betty & Carl built it into a business that they were all very proud of. They sold the Esso and eventually moved into Swift Current in February 2008. Sadly, Carl passed away in July 2010, and Betty stayed in her home until September 2018, when she moved into Cypress House. Later in October 2023, Betty moved to the Prairie Health Care Center where she lived out her final days peacefully watching the birds and natural beauty of the prairie scenery. Betty had a wonderful sense of humor and loved playing all kinds of card games. She had a very competitive spirit, which she passed onto all her children. Betty also loved having her large family and friends near and was an excellent gardener and cook, always having wonderful food for whomever showed up at their door. She loved music and was known for singing various tunes throughout the day. Her compass in life was always the love and pride she had for her children and grandchildren. The family is thankful to have many wonderful memories of times all spent together. Betty’s warmth, generosity, and kindness were felt by many families and friends, and she will be dearly missed by all. 

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