Betty Jean (Ratcliff) Risto

Betty Risto (nee: Ratcliff) passed away peacefully to be with her Lord on August 11, 2016 at the age of 83. She is survived by her sister, Helen Lyle of Sundre; brother, Cliff (Wilma) Ratcliff of Calgary; children, Randy (Jillian) Risto, Barry Risto, Marvin (Zenia) Risto, Bonnie (Rob) Ogilvie; daughter-in-law, Barbara Risto; and her grandchildren, Tamara Risto, Luke (Karissa) Risto,  Lauren (Evan) Standerwick, Annie Ogilvie, Raymond Risto, Jonathon Risto; and her great grandson, Logan Risto. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Ray; father, Lyman; mother, Edith; brother, Dennis; and sisters, Mary and Carol.

Betty was born on July 15, 1933 in Calgary, Alberta to Edith and Lyman Ratcliff. She graduated from Crescent Heights School in 1951 and completed her Nurses training at the Calgary General Hospital in 1955. She also attended the Baptist Leadership Training School. Her first nursing job was at the Wetaskiwin General Hospital and she also worked the Aberhart Memorial Sanitorium, the Univeristy of Alberta Hospital, the Edmonton General Hospital, and the Wetaskiwin Auxiliary Hospital before retiring from nursing as a Unit Manager of long term care with the Wetaskiwin General Hospital. After her retirement, she was a nursing instructor for the Alberta Vocational College. Betty was introduced to Ray Risto who was attending the Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary during her first year of nurses training and they were married in 1956. Ray and Betty moved to the Risto family farm west of Wetaskiwin in 1963 where they raised their four children. Betty moved to Radium, British Columbia after Ray's passing and then to Victoria, British Columbia. She returned to Wetaskiwin in 2011.

Betty was known for her creative crafting especially her quilts. Betty was a generous hostess and an accomplished cook and baker. Many friends and family gathered around her table to enjoy her food and fellowship. Betty was also known for her acts of service to her church and community. She will be remembered for instituting a supper for students attending the University of Victoria, which provides meaningful conversations and meals to hundreds of university students. http://www.emmanuelvictoria.ca/index.php/connect/student-dinners

Betty's memorial service with a reception to follow will take place on August 27, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, 4910 Northmount Drive, Wetaskiwin. Anyone who was given a quilt made by Betty is asked to bring it with them to the service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Emanuel Baptist Church Student Dinners, Emanuel Baptist Church, 2121 Cedar Hill Rd, Victoria BC V8P 2R6

 Service Information