Betty Oudman

1930 - 2021

In the early hours of Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the age of 90 years and 9 months, Betty Oudman (nee Aasman), departed to join her beloved husband, Homer Oudman, who has been watching over her from heaven since April 30, 2017. After a long struggle with declining health, she passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, knowing she was in the constant hearts and minds of her family.

A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden prior to the funeral service.

The Funeral Service was held at the First Christian Reformed Church, 3902 Heritage Drive, Taber on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 2:00 P.M.

 To view a recording of the service, click on the 'livestream link' on this page.

Betty is survived by her children Hetty (Ken) Ames of Brooks, Jack (Marion) Oudman of Edmonton, Patricia (Philippe) Maldiney of Calgary, Andy (Willetta) Oudman of Lethbridge, Wilbur (Sarah) Oudman of Burns Harbor, Indiana, Greg Oudman of Vancouver, British Columbia, Janice (Hart) Lemmle of Edmonton, Robert (Leslee) Oudman of Taber, BJ (Karen) Oudman of Calgary and Marsha Oudman of Lethbridge. She is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren, for all of whom she took the time to knit something special on the occasion of their birth. She was the third oldest of a family of twelve children and is survived by her siblings Jeanette Brouwer of Lethbridge, Jean (John) Brouwer of Rocky Mountain House, Robert (Nelly) Aasman of Rocky Mountain House, Bill Aasman of Medicine Hat and Elly Wenzel of Medicine Hat.

Betty was born in Aasen, Drente in the Netherlands on October 28, 1930 to Arend and Henrietta Aasman. She received education as a seamstress and was preparing to write her final exam when the Aasman family received their approval to immigrate to Canada. Promised by her father to be allowed to return to Holland if she was not happy in Canada after a year, she met the Oudman family on board the ship. Her future husband’s sisters showed her pictures of Homer and soon upon his arrival in Canada, her heart was quickly won over by his charm and pranks. They married in Taber on May 15, 1953.

Life presented many challenges, but Homer and Betty never wavered from their mutual desire to have ten children, proudly showing all her fingers, telling people “5 of each”. While Homer was busy farming, Betty dedicated her life to raising the family. She taught values, helped with homework and cared for all of her children, from cooking and cleaning to sewing their clothes!

Betty had significant heart issues and underwent open heart surgery at the age of forty five. This did not slow her down, as the children growing up allowed them freedom to begin enjoying some travel. Betty had a sense of adventure and enjoyed trips including annual local camping to sun destinations, from the United States to Europe and Africa.

Betty was an artist. She was a regular at the Taber Arts and Crafts for pottery until she was eighty six. “Betty bowls” will serve as a memory of her passion for so many. She would also drive to Carstairs to buy freshly shorn sheep’s wool, wash it, card it, spin it and finally knit or weave with the finished product, all with her own two hands. She participated in many local craft shows and demonstrations over the years.

Betty was generally a quiet woman who preferred spending time with her family, a good book and maybe a Flames game on television. She was a devout Christian and in addition to her own brood, sponsored many children through Compassion Canada, even once making a visit to them in Guatemala! She was stubborn (or in her words, determined) and could not be deterred in her path once her mind was set, a trait that she passed on to many of her descendants. We loved her and will miss her dearly.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Betty’s may be made directly to La Semilla Ministries (Nicaragua) in care of The Evangelical Free Church of Canada, Box 850 Langley Stn, LCD1, Langley, British Columbia V3A 8S6 and note account number 2-5062 www.lasemillaministries.com or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 100, 119 - 14 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1Z6 www.heartandstroke.com.

Thank you to all the caregivers who took care of our Mom in her home over the last four years. A special mention to Barb, Crystal and Dorcas who exemplified dignity and respect, especially through the last few difficult months.