It is with great sorrow that the family announces the passing of Elizabeth Eleanor “Betty” (Pitura) Keller, nee Marks, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother and friend. Betty passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family, leaving a legacy of love, kindness, resilience, service, and devotion.

Born September 12, 1927, near Camp Morton, Manitoba. Betty was the middle child of 11 children. After the early loss of her mother at the age of 11, it was her duty to stay home and care for her siblings. At sixteen, she moved to Red Lake, Ontario, where members of her family were working.

Betty started working as a waitress at the Red Lake Hotel. Living on a farm, she was only familiar with food such as Potatoe and Cow. Betty had to familiarize herself with many Northern foods in order to serve. On July 1st, 1945, she survived the devastating fire of the Red Lake Hotel, losing many friends. Although she escaped physical injury, the devastation of the tragedy left a lasting impact on her.

In 1946, she married Joseph Pitura. Together they built a home on Howey Street in Red Lake. Where they raised four children, Richard, Barbara, Sharon and Bradley. Betty devoted herself to creating a warm, loving home filled with laughter, good food and unwavering support for her family.

After Joseph’s passing in 1988, Betty later married Ed Keller in 1989, gaining a second loving partnership and extended family. The couple later moved to Cloverdale, British Columbia. Betty became a cherished member of Ed’s family. After several years Ed and Betty returned to live in Gimli, Manitoba. Enjoying family and siblings after being apart for many years. Sadly, Ed passed away in 2003. Missing her family, Betty returned to Red Lake, residing in the Legion Villa. She loved living there and connecting with so many lifelong friends in Red Lake. Later, moving into the Northwoods Lodge in Red Lake.

Family was the center of Betty’s life. Nothing gave her greater joy than caring for those she loved. She expressed her love through cooking, baking, hospitality, and traditions. Her table was always full of favourites including cabbage rolls, perogies, pies, home baked bread, and cinnamon buns. She taught her children how to prepare traditional meals, ensuring their cultural cooking customs lived on. Her beautifully decorated cakes marked countless weddings, birthdays and celebrations. Many benefited from her willingness to cater for special occasions.

Betty was an accomplished seamstress, knitter and quilter. Her quilts were crafted with exceptional care. Her knitting needles were never far from reach. She lovingly sewed clothing for her children and always handmade gifts for family and friends.

A devoted member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Betty shared her beautiful singing voice in the choir. She volunteered in many capacities, cleaning the church, baking for bazaars and knitting doll clothes. Her faith guided her actions.

A dedicated community volunteer, Betty served with numerous organizations throughout Red Lake. Active member of Red Lake Catholic Women’s League, Red Lake Ukrainian Women's ’ Church Auxiliary, Red Lake Minor Hockey League, Red Lake Catholic School Board, Red Lake Pioneer Club, Kinette Club of Red Lake, and Red Lake Indian Friendship Center. She also served as a Constituency Officer for Provincial Representative, always eager to contribute to the well-being of her community.

An accomplished athlete in her younger years. Betty played baseball, broom ball and curled. She remained an enthusiastic sports fan. Never missed an opportunity to cheer on a team playing at the ballfield, outside skating rink and arena. When Betty arrived at the ballfield fans respectfully moved out of the seat she loved to sit in. During her years at Northwood Lodge, she spent many happy hours watching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Blue Jays and countless curling matches.

Betty’s life was not without heartbreak. She endured the profound loss of her daughter Sharon, her son Richard, her granddaughters Patty Lynn and Holly. These devastating losses affected her deeply. Despite her sorrows, Betty remained a true source of comfort and encouragement to others. Her home was always open, her table welcoming and her heart generous. She nurtured not only her own family but countless other friends who became like family. It was not unusual for her to get numerous Mother’s Day cards from children she treated like her own.

Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother who took immense pride in seeing and taking pictures with five generations of her family and treasured every moment spent with them all. Making each feel they were the most special.

Betty’s 99 years of life will continue to live on through her unconditional love for the family she cherished so, the traditions she passed down, the community she served, the songs she sang and the countless games she cheered from the sidelines and from her favourite chair. She taught those around her the value of family, love, faith, hard work, generosity and the joy of life’s simple pleasures.

Betty will be deeply missed, forever remembered and never forgotten by all who were fortunate to know her.

Betty is lovingly remembered by her children; Barbara (Bob)Thompson and Bradley Pitura (Suzette), her son-in-law Joe Jankowski, her stepchildren; Holly, George and Rick Keller. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Randall, Pamela (Guy), Robby (Erin), Teri (Nelson), Tanya (Jerome), Kent, Rooke (Candice), Tyson (Brianna), Lynsey (Kelsey), Bronwyn and Chloe, step-grandchildren; Kevin (Leeah), Trevor (Alanna) and Cameron (Lisa), great-grandchildren; Zachary (Sammy), Danielle (Bryce), Deion (Stephani), Martone (Kara), Matthew, Jessica, Jillian, Haileigh, Heidi, Reid, Mia, Sam, Annistyn, Hallie, Rylee (mother Dori), Erik, Tylar, and Crue, step-great-grandchildren; Courtney, Cash, Zoey, Clyde, Henry, Rhett, Isabelle, Keller, Robert and Rebecca, great-great-grandchildren; Peyton, Ayden, Banks, Navy, Rome and Vincent. She is also survived by her sister Martha (Harry), her brother Adolph (Gerti) and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first husband Joe Pitura, her second husband Ed Keller, her treasured children Sharon (Jankowski) and Richard, her parents Mathias and Katherine Marks, her siblings Anne, Mary, Emily, Adam, Joe, Charlie and Tony.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the R.L.M.C. Hospital and are deeply grateful for the excellent care she received over the many years from Dr. Vic Aniol and Dr. Diane Zielke and all the assisting doctors from the Red Lake Clinic.

Thank you also to the nurses and staff at the Northwood Lodge Home for the aged.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in her name to the Red Lake Miners Jr A Hockey Team through the Red Lake Chapel, Box 237, Red Lake, On P0V2M0.

A funeral service will be held at the St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Wednesday July 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm. Interment will be held at a later date.

With sincere gratitude and appreciation, the family wishes to thank everyone who offered love, prayers, comfort and kind words during this time. We have a community of love and support during hard times.

Thank you for being there for us.