Betker, Waldemar (Walter)

After a lengthy battle with cancer, Walter passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Thursday, August 30, 2018 in his 84th year.

Beloved husband of Mona for (52) years.

Loving father of Reinhardt (Sharon) and Heidi Firman (Adam).

He will be missed and remember by his grandchildren Molly, Maggie, Jason and Ryan.

Predeceased by parents Heinrich and Wanda Betker (nee Tiede) and his brother Theodore (wife Natalie)

Waldemar's family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, September 2, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and will continue on Monday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener 519-749-8467. The funeral service for Walter will take place on Monday, September 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home followed by a reception. Interment at Parkview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations to, Lisaard House would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Walter's memorial.


Waldemar Betker's Life Story

Originally from Germany the Betker’s moved to Poland in 1820.
Our dad’s story began In Ignatow, Kreis Chelm Poland on March 18, 1935. He was the fourth son of Heinrich and Wanda Betker (nee Tiede), his brother Theodore Betker, was five years his senior born July 7, 1930. Ervin and Arthur Betker, both passed of natural causes at a young age, neither Theodore or dad ever met their siblings.
Dad’s father (Heinrich) was only 18 years old when he fought in WW1 for the Russians.
In 1939, dad being only 4 years old, the family was forced to leave their home in Ignatow, Poland, they left all their processions behind and boarded a train to Wartegau, Schonsfelda. September 1, 1939 Heinrich Betker once again was called on to fight, dad’s father now wore the German Uniform, leaving dad’s mom to fend for herself with two young boys. Dad, his mom and brother continued to live in Wartegau until January 1945, when a knock came on the door from the officials. Once again in the dead of night they fled by horse and carriage from the advancing Russians, taking only as much as the carriage could hold. Dad often described the sadness of leaving his precious dogs and livestock behind. This seems to be a memory that never left his mind. They travelled in the cold for 2 weeks, before arriving in Klein Leppin, Germany. The voyage was tough and the family was lucky to make it over the Oder river. Numerous others lost their lives when the ice of the river gave way below them. Frost bite was common, and dad’s brother (Theodore) was badly affected.
The family was fortunate and they were able to obtain a house and some land in Klein Leppin, here they had some livestock, a large garden and the opportunity to call some place home.
The war was finally over and our Opa returned to Klein Leppin, but shortly after due to complications of war, dad’s father Heinrich Betker passed away on February 15, 1947. Dad was only 12 years old when he lost his dad, but dad always spoke highly of him and had special memories to share.
From 1953-1956, Dad worked at MTS in East Germany as a Traktorist (Driving and fixing machinery).
October 1956, dad was fortunate enough to flee from East Germany to West Germany where he worked in the forestry industry cutting down trees until March 1957. Then he worked at BSF Emil Willersinn & Sohn doing tile work. Dad later worked at Gebruder Giulini which was ones of Germany’s largest chemical factories. July 11, 1959 dad handed in his resignation, he was about to follow his dream, the one all Europeans had been talking about.
In 1959 our dad left behind his family and many friends in a quest for a better life. Dad’s original intention was to work in Canada for a few years, work hard and save as much money as possible and return to Germany and purchase a rental property. At only 24 years of age, with only $80.00 in his pocket, he boarded the ship, the Seven Seas in Bremerhaven Germany and 10 days later he arrived in Montreal, Quebec, this was July 26, 1959. Later travelling by train along with a friend Willy he had met on the ship they arrived in Toronto. Both Dad and Willy found Toronto too big for their liking so they hopped on a bus and headed for Kitchener, where they were fortunate enough to meet Frank Stogel the same day. Frank owned his own construction business and hired Dad on the spot. Dad worked in the construction industry where he learned to plaster. During this time, he met and became lifelong friends with Hans Fennert and Gunter Lotzmann. 6 months later due to cold weather he was laid off. Dad not being one to sit around found employment with Kaufman Footwear on January 10, 1960.
Dad travelled to Mexico for 8 weeks in January 1962, with Hans and Gunter and we have heard stories often of the great time they had. Dad often laughs at the memories they made.
Shortly after returning from Mexico, Dad purchased his first house at 92 Bridge Street in Bridgeport. Dad wanted to make as much money as possible so he continued to live in room and board and rented this house out.
And the love story begins…
At the age of 21, Mona Harriett Hiusser of Gotham, ON attended a dance on February 8, 1964 at the Schwaben Club in Kitchener. Mom and dad hit it off immediately and continued to date for two years until they wed.
Dad had numerous friends by this time and had met the love of his life, so moving back to Germany had left his mind.
On April 23, 1966, dad and mom were married at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Listowel. They celebrated with a reception at the Legion Hall, there were 300 guests in attendance. Following the reception, they travelled to New York, and boarded a ship to Germany, where they spent 6 months on their honeymoon, travelling through Europe. It took 9 days to arrive in Bremahafen, Germany and 11 days back to New York. This was October 1966.
Imagine mom’s reaction, upon returning from Germany, when dad took her and showed her the home he had purchased for them. This is where they became the proud parents to Reinhardt Paul Betker on December 22, 1968
Reinhardt was blessed with his little sister Heidi Louise Betker born on February 14, 1971.
In 1974 dad and mom purchased their home at 439 Lexington Crescent, which we have called home for the last 44 years.
Dad and mom were pleased to invite Adam Firman and Sharon Betker (nee Rogan) into the family. They have 4 grandchildren. Adam and Heidi Firman (nee Betker) are the proud parents of Jason and Ryan Firman. Reinhardt and Sharon were blessed with Molly and Maggie Betker.
We have many great memories from all the camping trips we took often travelling as far as Nova Scotia and Tennessee. Dad taught us to fish at a very young age and I can still remember how frustrated he would get when our lines would become tangled. Dad never seemed to get his own line in the water. It now makes me smile when I think of it.
Dad has enjoyed many years of travelling and has seen Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Florida, Cuba, Europe, and throughout Canada. The travel bug has rubbed off on both of us children.
Dad retired from Kaufman Footwear after 40 years. During this time dad’s attendance was phenomenal, he only missed 23 days. During retirement dad and mom have travelled numerous times to Cuba, enjoyed meeting with friends weekly at Conestoga Mall and St. Jacobs Market.
Dad was an exceptional man, his younger years shaped him into a man who worked tirelessly and he could fix anything, he had many friends, and as kids we had company almost on a daily basis. Mom would bring out her baked goods and coffee, and dad the beer and brandy. No-one ever went hungry at our parent’s house and their door was always open to anyone who might drop in.
Dad and mom always worked hard to make the house a home. Dad loved to garden and always took great pride in his vegetable and flower gardens, and mom canning and pickling dad’s bounty. Anyone who knew Waldemar Betker loved him and he will be in our hearts forever.