It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
Elizabeth Van Slyke
January 30, 1942 - February 5, 2015
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Eulogy Guestbook Biography Photos Media Life Stories Family Tree Contribute
<div itemprop="description">Elizabeth (Betty) was surrounded by her loving family when she lost her courageous battle with cancer and passed away on Feb. 5, 2015 at the age of 73 years. On Jan. 30, 1942 Betty was born in Lousana, Alberta to Charles and Daisy Pierce. Being one of five children she loved the outdoors and did her farm chores beside her father whenever she could. When she was 17 years old and working at Nyman&rsquo;s Jewelry she met Orville Clifford Van Slyke and they soon married on June 1, 1960 in Red Deer. They bought a quarter section of farmland in the Blindman Valley district and after many years of hard work Betty had her &ldquo;castle&rdquo; and it was always hard for her to leave her home. There Betty and Orville raised their two sons and in 1975 they welcomed Holly into their home and hearts, consequently adopting her into their family. <br /> <br />Betty was a hard worker and would always be seen working alongside Orville on the farm and on their Sheet Metal business in the 1970&rsquo;s to mid 1990&rsquo;s. Betty also had odd jobs working in a liquor store, selling Copper Craft and working at Tip Top Tailors. In 1988 BETOR Stock Farms was developed where they raised purebred Angus cattle until retirement. She also was an avid supporter of Canadian Blood Services and donated her blood a total of 185 times. After taking dancing lessons Betty and Orville could often being seen showing off their dance moves on the dance floor of many a party. Betty loved her many animals that included the family dogs, the cattle, her horses and even a pet skunk! She loved to watch the variety of birds and the deer that frequently visited the farmyard. She was very proud of her large garden that she grew each year and always shared her bounty with family and friends. Betty loved to do leatherwork and crocheting, and her special joy was to be surrounded by family for Sunday night dinners and bake her special favourites including pecan pie and her famous &ldquo;Monster cookies&rdquo;. <br /> <br />Betty leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving husband Orville of 54 years; their daughter Holly Anderson of Rocky Mountain House; their sons Mark (Laura) of Caroline and Dale (Sandra) of Red Deer; her precious grandchildren, Travis (Leslie) Anderson, Mandi (Sean) Anderson, Marci (Andru) Skinner, Landen and Keegan Van Slyke. Also to mourn her passing are her five great-grandchildren, Jude, Vaughn, Beck, Koen, and Lillyanna. She is also survived by her sister Florence Guthrie of Guelph, Ontario; brother Percy (Sandy) Pierce of Pine Lake; and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her parents, and her sisters Alice Woodrow and Norma Hastie. <br /> <br />Betty&rsquo;s family and friends may honour her at a Memorial Service held on Friday, February 13, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.at the Red Deer Funeral Home, 6150 &ndash; 67 Street, Red Deer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to charity of the donor&rsquo;s choice or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Following the service, family and friends are invited to attend a reception held at the Quality Inn North Hill, 7150 &ndash; 50 Avenue, Red Deer.</div>