KRAFT

Elizabeth Hazel Kraft (née Hansen) of Eckville, Alberta, fondly and lovingly known as “Auntie Betty” to her family, friends, and the community, passed away at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the age of 91 years.    

Auntie Betty was born on October 5, 1934, in  Condor, Alberta to her parents Albert and Hazel Hansen.  On December 10, 1955, she married her husband, Bob Kraft, and they resided in Eckville.  Together they spent many years travelling to rodeos, following the chuckwagons, camping, fishing, playing cards with friends, curling, and gardening.

Auntie Betty’s long-time career was as the postmaster at the Eckville post office.  She took great pride in this job and truly enjoyed visiting with community members as they would come and go each day.  In 1990, after 46 years of service, she retired.  Auntie Betty would then fill her days playing cards, gardening, and attending almost every community and/or school event her honourary grandchildren, Darren, Jordan, and Aimey, were involved in.  From hockey games to volleyball games, and anything in between, she was always present. 

As an active member of the Eckville Friendship Centre, Auntie Betty rarely missed a game of crib and the opportunity to bring along her famous carrot cake for everyone to enjoy.  She maintained her social spirit until the very end.  Auntie Betty continued to attend hockey games, baseball games, junior rodeos, figure skating, school events, and anything else that delivered the opportunity for her to watch her great-great-nieces and -nephews play.

Auntie Betty is survived by her nephew Ken (Karin) Engen and their family Darren (Jennifer) Engen and their children Brynne, Connor, and Emily; Jordan Engen and his daughter Makenna; and Aimey (Cody) Jackson and their children Saydee and Royce;  nephew Terry (Terri) Engen; niece Colleen Engen and her family Jesse (Alyssa) Engen and their daughter Charlie; and Haley (Austin) Klugkist and their children Keinen, Keplen, Kolsen, and Suttyn; nephew Gerry (Maureen) Hansen and their family Jack and Lauren; nephew Dale (Carla) Hansen and their family Garrett (Morgan), Justine (Jordan), Delaney (Chance), and Zach. She is also survived by her great-niece Lynn Hart (Knopp) and her family Liam, Milly, and Abby; in addition to special family members John Espeland and Neal Knopp.  Auntie Betty was predeceased by her husband Bob Kraft; her brother Donald Hansen; sister-in-law Stephanie Hansen; her sister Myrtle Engen; brother-in-law Glen Engen; her nephew Gordon Hansen; niece JoAnne Knopp (Engen); and great-nephew Lonny Knopp.

“Auntie Betty will be lovingly remembered for her up-for-anything spirit, and her presence will be deeply missed among family, friends, and the community of Eckville.”

A family-hosted Informal Gathering to Celebrate the Life of Auntie Betty will be held at the Eckville Community Centre, 5305–5315 52 Street, Eckville on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with Karin Engen hosting.  A time of fellowship with coffee, tea, and snacks will follow.  A Family Interment Service will take place in the Eckville Cemetery at a later date.  If desired, memorial donations in Auntie Betty’s memory may be made to the Eckville Arena by mail to:  the Eckville Arena Operating Association, Box 393, Eckville, Alberta  T0M 0X0; or by e-Transfer directly to:  eckvillearena23@gmail.com with the memo:  Auntie Betty.  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page. 

Cremation Arrangements for the Late Elizabeth Hazel Kraft (née Hansen) entrusted to the care of