The family of Betty Lois Steinhaeusser (nee Affleck) are sad to announce her passing on March 29, 2023. Born in Kenora Ontario December 2, 1931, to parents Colin and Florence Affleck, she attended Kenora public school and later Lakewood High School until age 15 when she left to work in the family fishing outfitter business north of Kenora.
At age 17 Betty was driving a bread truck and making deliveries for a local bakery, and by age 19 was the front desk clerk at the Kenricia Hotel in Kenora. It was there she met her husband Horst, whom she married in 1953.
In 1955 Betty started working at Kenora Telephone as an operator and continued to work there (and later Bell Telephone) until her retirement in 1995. She was an early pioneer of the “modern woman” as she worked full time hours while raising three sons. Her children were the most important thing in her life and she chose to work many, many years of straight midnight shifts just so she could be home during the day for her boys. She also worked a stretch of 25 consecutive years without taking a sick day from work, an accomplishment she was very proud of.
In 1977 Betty, Horst, and the family moved from Kenora to Thunder Bay Ontario, specifically to Fairbanks Crescent, where she met many wonderful neighbours who would later become life-long friends. Betty loved her tropical plants, and had dozens around the house, to the point where some rooms looked like a rain forest.
Betty was an excellent cook, and loved to make large and lavish meals whenever she could. Her friends and family would often be treated to huge prime rib roasts with “pop-ups”, mashed potatoes and gravy, and for desert huge Black Forest cakes.
To work off those meals she would take long walks with her friends, especially her four-legged friends Tryg and later Mindy. She also loved to swim and be at the pool, especially the Canada Games Complex where she made many friends over the years.
Betty loved to travel and made several trips to Germany and other parts of Europe to visit family and friends. Once widowed in 1995, Betty kept travelling, often by herself (or with Mindy), to places like Branson Missouri, Saskatchewan, or just to visit old friends in Kenora. She would often make day trips to Duluth Minnesota with her close friends Steve and Charlene Sidorski.
Betty loved to shop for new clothes, and her favourite pastime was shopping for a new blouse. Although it’s unconfirmed, she may have been the Shopping Channels best customer.
Betty is pre-deceased by her husband Horst in 1995. She is survived by her three sons: Derek (Debbie) in Courtenay B.C; Marcus (Andrea) and Tyson (Teresa) in Thunder Bay. Also survived by grandchildren Shannon (Troy) in Moosomin Saskatchewan, Ryan (Vikki) in Tisdale Saskatchewan., Erik and Ella in Thunder Bay. Also, great-grandchildren Rhys, Rheid, Hannah, Hayden and Oliver. As well as great-grand puppy Kiki.
The family of Betty would like to thank the doctors, nurses, personal support workers and entire staff of Hogarth Riverview Manor. Betty felt well-cared for at Hogarth, and the emotional support and outpouring of love towards Betty during her most difficult time was extraordinary.
Cremation has taken place. As per Betty’s wishes, there will be no service.
