Obituary of Betty Doreen Gellner

GELLNER, Betty

The family of Betty Gellner, of Southey, sadly announce her passing on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at the age of 78 years. She is survived by daughter Sherri (Bernie); son Sheldon (Michelle); grandchildren, Katie (Tyson), Jaime, Zach, and Alex; one sister, Joan; two brothers, Bill and Barry; as well as many nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by Larry, her husband of 56 years; parents, Hazel and George Tarr; and sister Shirley.

Betty grew up on a farm south of Earl Grey with two sisters and two brothers. She attended a one-room school for the first part of her schooling and completed her schooling through correspondence and in Silton. Betty attended Teacher’s College in Regina and then began her teaching career at Bryn Mawr, a country school, where she lived in one of the on-site teacherages. She married Larry Gellner in April of 1963 and moved to the farm that has been in the Gellner family since 1904. In addition to being very involved with the farm, Betty taught school at Bryn Mawr until it closed, and then in Southey until she officially retired in 1999. She always prided herself on her large bountiful garden, loved reading, and watching birds and wildlife. Betty also loved her cats and always had several at the farm. 

Betty enjoyed writing poetry and was often called upon to write a poem for a special occasion, whether it be a retirement or a milestone anniversary. In this respect, she followed in her mother’s footsteps as her mother also enjoyed composing poems.

Although Betty is often defined as being a teacher, she was much more: a wife, mother, grandmother, farmer, community volunteer, gardener, nature-lover, neighbor…and friend.

A Funeral Service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 265 Highway 6, Southey, SK on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in North Southey Zion Lutheran Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, c/o Box 177, Southey, SK S0G 4P0, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 1738 Quebec Ave Unit 26, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9.