BRUNER (NEE: GRAY); Betty Marlene, September 29, 1943 – August 5, 2015

Betty passed peacefully Wednesday, August 5, 2015 after an aggressive fight with pancreatic cancer. She enjoyed her final days sharing stories and laughs with many friends and family at the Victoria Hospital.  Betty was the first born of three children to the late Walter and Julia Gray; the family resided on a dairy farm just north of Shellbrook, SK.  Dairy farming is hard work, as is all farming; and this is where Betty truly learned the meaning of hard work.  She was actively involved in all aspects of the farm from milking the cows, to cutting hay and hauling bales; she gathered eggs and was involved in planting and harvesting the garden.  One year at the Prince Albert Exhibition, Betty placed first for the showing of her calf; Walter, her Dad, was so proud!  And Betty today still has the engraved silver plate to prove it!  Fun times on the farm were had when cousins came to visit, especially Allen Wouters, lots of stories there.  Betty loved to swim in the river; on hot days she’d bridle the horses: Flicka & Blue for her and Elaine to ride for a dip and meet others.  Once in awhile brother Darryl would ride side saddle to join the fun; but if he didn’t follow the rules the girls made Darryl walk home.  Well, brothers never forget and when his sisters went on dates, Darryl would turn on the porch light at just the right time, so no smooching for you!  Siblings!  Betty loved to play baseball, enjoyed music and dancing, and just having a good laugh with friends and family.  Betty married Harry Bruner; and together they had one child, Wendy.  Years later they divorced but always remained in touch.  Betty is well known in PA for her 30+ years with Safeway; where many shoppers I’m sure received groceries through her checkout while catching up on chitchat.  After retiring from Safeway, Betty learned to drive a school bus and soon became a favorite amongst the kids; maybe because she brought treats but either way she thoroughly enjoyed them too.  She was even known to stop the bus and say, “Betty says sit down!” Or honk as she passed homes of close friends on her route.  Over the years, Betty became involved as the Union Rep for Safeway and actively involved with RWDSU.  She was very proud of her many union accomplishments especially the “Most Available Hours Clause” passed for herself and others to follow.  Betty also enjoyed cooking and especially baking for friends…ah her cookies, poppycock, shortbread and fruit cake will be missed by many.  Hope you got the recipe!  She was never shy to help either: making pierogies with her fellow Safeway Crew is just one of their many good works.  She loved quilting and was also a member of the Prince Albert Quilt Guild.  Betty was a pet sitter too as she loved animals; even to the point where she had a separate key ring for those homes she regularly visited.  She continued in her egg gathering abilities from the early days and delivered farm eggs from Parkside to friends in PA; last I heard she was delivering six flats.  Betty was just a phone call away; she would always help and her number one priority was friends.  At all hours she would chat on the phone or would commence the day planning her next coffee break; she so loved going for coffee or ice cream or even just for a drive!  Well Betty you touched so many; you’ll be missed and you certainly earned those wings!  Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Wendy (Dave) Skinner and grandsons: Reid and Maxwell Skinner; her sister, Elaine Halvorson; her brother, Darryl (Janet) Gray and all her aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, especially Allen Wouters.  Although divorced, Harry Bruner, will also cherish her and their good times together.  As well as her many friends, too numerous to mention.  Betty was predeceased by both parents: Walter and Julia Gray and other relatives.  Memorial Service will be held at St Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 260 – 25th Street East, Prince Albert, SK on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with The Reverend Dr. Norbert Haukenfrers officiating.  Private Family Interment will he held.  In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 54 – 11th Street East, Prince Albert, SK S6V 0Z9 or to the SPCA, PO Box 1832, Prince Albert, SK S6V 6J9.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

• Date : 2015-08-05
• Location : Prince Albert, SK