Obituary of Betty Madeline Verheul

Betty Madeline Verheul

Peacefully, at Gateway Haven Long Term Care Home, in Wiarton, Ontario, on Saturday October 29, 2022, in her 94^th year. Loving mother of Judy (Kevin) and Steven. Proud grandmother of Ryan, Chris, Brandon (Carrie), Emma, and Nicholas. Great grandmother of Isabelle.

Predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Piet, her father and mother Ken and Thelma MacPherson, and sister Joan, Betty will be remembered by her family and those who knew and worked with her, as a gentle, caring and compassionate soul.

Betty was born in Detroit, Michigan, where her father had gone to find work, but soon moved back to the Forest, Ontario, area, where she grew up. While she was working at the Land Registry office in London, Ontario, she met and married an enterprising Dutchman who had emigrated to Canada after the war and began to work in the dairy equipment business. Piet Verheul started out of the garage in Byron, but in 1967 built a new home and warehouse/office in the country towards Lambeth, where they raised their son and daughter, and built their Surge Dairy Equipment business together.

They enjoyed travelling over the years on Surge Dairy trips, and when Piet sold the business and retired in 1990, they continued their overseas adventures with many trips and cruises.

For many years, they watched their community and their family grow. Betty loved bridge, and attending the Byron United Church.

The business they started and built continues decades later as Dairy Lane Equipment, and the home they built is the site of Rustix custom furniture.

A private family service will be held at MacFarlane and Roberts Funeral Home in Lambeth, to be followed by internment at Woodland Cemetery, London.

Donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 435 Windermere Rd, London, ON N5X 2T1 or to the Byron United Church 420 Boler Rd, London, ON N6K 2K5. On-line condolences are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca. McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, Lambeth, Ontario 519-652-2020 in care of arrangements.