Betty Lou Caston — “Bette” • “Bunky”

Betty Lou Caston — known to most as Bette, to family as Bunky, and fondly as “Aunty Bunk” — passed away in Enderby, BC on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the age of 78.

Bette was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, entrepreneur, restaurateur, publisher, voracious reader, tea lover, music lover. She had an incredible sense of humour — witty, playful, and always making people laugh — along with an infectious laugh of her own, a generous heart, and a remarkable zest for life.

Born in Edson, Alberta, Bette was one of seven children of Douglas Marmaduke Caston and Violet Ethel Caston. She worked alongside her father at the family newspaper, the Edson Leader, where he trained her in every aspect of the business. A gifted writer, editor, photographer, and journalist, Bette eventually ran the newspaper for him as he entered his retirement years. Those talents later found another home in The Publishing Place, her own publishing house.

Her entrepreneurial spirit carried her through many chapters of life, from publishing to restaurants and beyond. In Enderby, Bette and Dan Watson created the Harvest House and Picnic Place, turning a heritage home into a beloved restaurant and gathering place. It became a significant chapter in Bette’s life and a true expression of what she did so well — feeding people, bringing them together, and making them feel at home. Her warmth, generosity, and famous home cooking always seemed to create another place at the table.

Joy and movement were part of Bette from an early age. As a young woman, she loved to figure skate, dancing across the ice with the same natural rhythm she later brought to the dance floor. Music was woven through her life, especially the oldies she loved. She was a truly remarkable dancer — she had the moves — and throughout her life she was usually the first one on the dance floor and the last one to leave. Her family has gathered many of her favourite “oldies but goodies” into a playlist at BettyLou.life, where visitors will also be able to see a classic Bette moment for themselves — dancing, smiling, and completely in her element.

She was also affectionately known as “Spunky Bunky” and “Betty Andretti.” Few things captured her spirit better than driving with the top down, her hair blowing in the wind, her favourite music playing, behind the wheel of her beloved gold convertible, “Goldie.”

Bette was rarely far from a cup of tea, a piece of toast, or a good book. Reading was one of the great loves of her life, and when she passed, she had 33 books checked out from the library — a fitting testament to her endless curiosity and love of learning. That curiosity also extended to natural healing and remedies.

She had her own language of affection. Tell Bette, “I love you,” and you’d get a sparkle in her eye, that famous dimpled grin, and: “I kinda like you too! I think I’ll keep ya!”

At important milestones, accomplishments, and transitions, Bette often returned to Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! It carried a message she shared again and again with the people she loved: even when life gets hard, keep going, keep shining, keep on keeping on — and above all, know that you are loved, whether near or far.

More than anything, Bette loved her family. Her daughters, her “grands,” and her great-grandchildren were her world. In her later years, she was quite literally surrounded by family at the river, with Jaime and her three children living right beside her and Randi, Cyndi, and their families close by. She loved watching the kids head off to school from her balcony, but not before big hugs and her familiar send-offs: “Kick Butt!” and “Play nice!”

Some of her greatest joy in recent years came from her great-grandchildren Strickland, Olive, and Luka. She was overjoyed by them, delighted in their visits and snuggles, and loved watching her family continue to grow. Bette often joked that she cared “too much,” but caring deeply was simply who she was.

In her later years, Bette found her happiest place along the Shuswap River in Ashton Creek, surrounded by family, books, birds, flowers, music, animals, and the water she loved. Hummingbirds brought her particular joy, as did monarch butterflies — including the beautiful monarchs that appeared around the river in her final year.

Bette was predeceased by her parents, Douglas Marmaduke and Violet Ethel Caston; her siblings, Doug and Kathleen; her husband, Dan Watson; her former husband and lifelong friend, Gord Lund, father of her daughters; her nephew Doug; and her grandson, Miles “Smiles” Wohlford.

She is survived and dearly loved by her daughters, Randi, Cyndi, and Jaime Lund; her siblings Richard, Brenda, Tom, and Patricia; her grandchildren Jaden Lund (Cassie), Taigan Wohlford, Hailey Stinn (Kyle), Paige Noakes, Kristy Gartner, Ella, Esmé, and Emmett; Jaden and Cassie’s children Brooklynn, Kaiden, Strickland, and Olive; and Hailey and Kyle’s son, Luka; as well as her niece Pauline and her family.

She also leaves behind Phil Vogel, with whom she shared many years of family life at the Shuswap River, as well as Phil’s children and their families, who became an important part of Bette’s world: Lacia Vogel and Chinedu “Harry” Okere, and their children Ocean, Solomon, and Adanna; Arielle and her children Tora, Aisha, Skylar, and Mia; and Jordon “Jordie,” his son Charles, and Charles’s mother, Kate.

Also deeply woven into Bette’s life — and still very much a beloved part of the family — is Michael “Mikey” Hutter, whose friendship with Bette stretches back to the Edson Leader days. Over the decades, Mikey became family to all of them and remains dearly loved for his loyalty, friendship, unmistakable quirkiness, and the laughter he continues to bring into their lives.

Bette will be remembered for her warmth and wit, her infectious laugh and dimpled smile, her famous home cooking, her love of books and tea, her curiosity, her music and dancing, her “Kick Butt!” send-offs, and above all, the enormous love she had for her family.

She was one of a kind, in every way, and will be missed dearly.

We love you more than cinnamon toast and a day off.

Celebration of Life Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Riverside Community Club (Riverside Hall) 3784 Trinity Valley Road, Enderby, BC V4Y 4L6 For full service details, to RSVP, to view memories and photos, and to enjoy Bette’s “Oldies but Goodies” playlist and videos, please visit BettyLou.life.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: