Betty Bourke

Peacefully on November 13, 2020 Betty Bourke passed away with her daughter by her side at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 92 years.

She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Katie Baran; nine siblings; husband Leo Bourke; daughter Joanne Kansas; daughters-in-law Diane Bourke and Bonnie Bourke; grandson-in-law Philip Dort; infant granddaughter baby Larson; companions Cecil and Gerald and many friends.  Left to mourn her passing and to celebrate Betty Ann’s life are her five children Ernie (Gerrie), Leo (Chrisy), Arthur, Rodney (Sharee) Bourke, Peggy (Danny) Larson; son-in-law Ken Kansas; brother Bill Baran; ten grandchildren Robbie (Randy), Angie, Tyler, Caley, Dustin (Dawn), Tyton (Christi) Duncan, Britney Bourke, Ashley (Rob), Tamara (Brian) Larson; thirteen great-grandchildren Max, Quinn, Laine, Evangeline, Aurelia, Kara-Lee Bourke, Bralen, Shea Kulba, Peyton Durrant, Krisjon Bjarnason, Addilaise LaFreniere, Mackenna and Liam Dort ; 3 step great-grandchildren, Paul Hiver, Charlaux and  Davineau; sister-in-law Ena Wilkinson and several friends in Regency House.

Mom met the love of her life Leo Bourke in Hudson Bay, SK, and they were married in 1948.  They moved to West Curtis and raised six children until Leo’s untimely passing in 1965.  Mom moved her family into Portage la Prairie.  Through her work ethic, determination and strong willed nature she provided for her family by first working in retail stores until her artistic flair took over.  She opened a small upholstery shop in a shed in her back yard which gradually grew to Betty’s Upholstery downtown.  She dabbled in Real Estate, renovating houses and owned a small apartment block.  As the business became too physically demanding she opened and operated Avenue Plaza Coffee Shop until her retirement.

Mom enjoyed the small things in life, her home, family, gardens, pets and enjoyed several summers of Cottage Life at Otter Lake, trips to Vancouver to see her boys and families and family get-togethers with her beloved grandchildren.  Also a very memorable 90th Birthday, with a surprise family reunion at Delta.  She taught her children a strong work ethic, self-determination, to fight for what you think is right and compassion.

She is now in the arms of Jesus, embracing her much missed (baby) daughter Joanne, husband Leo and many relatives and friends. This beautiful, strong willed lady always “Did it her way”. We will never forget you Mom.

A private family interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery at a later date.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8, Sunset Palliative Care Inc, Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3B2 or Portage District General Hospital Foundation, 524 – 5th St.SE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3A8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com