1939
Betty
2015
Betty M. Russell
October 11, 1939 — August 21, 2015
Betty M. Russell, 75, of Lake City, died quietly in her home on Friday, August 21, 2015 with her daughters and close friend, Michael Dobbe at her side after a two year struggle with lung cancer. Betty fought her cancer and participated in drug treatments for cancer research with admirable courage and strength, keeping her wonderful sense of humor intact.
She was born October 11, 1939 to Harold F. and Viva (Owen) Berner in Rockwell City, IA. She was raised and attended school there, graduating from Rockwell City High School in 1957. On August 25, 1957 she married Jerold Patterson. Betty and Jerry had six children and for 10 years they farmed near Rockwell City; then moved to Storm Lake, Iowa and later divorced. In August, 1971 Betty married John Noble. John and Betty, along with her 5 daughters and his one son, made their home in Cherokee, Iowa. John and Betty's happiness was short-lived when John died of leukemia in November of 1973. Betty reunited with an old friend, Roger Lichtenberg, and in 1974 they married. Betty and Roger, along with Betty's daughters, made their home in Waseca and later in Worthington until Roger's sudden death in March 1982 from a heart attack.
In 1984 Betty moved to Rochester where she attended Rochester Vocational-Technical College from 1984-1985, graduating with a diploma in the Human Services Technician Program. She went on to work at the United Way in Rochester, providing in-home services for the disabled and elderly from 1985-1988. In March 1987, Betty endured the loss of her only son, Mark, in a semi-truck accident. On November 5, 1988, Betty married James Russell. Betty moved to the farm in Lake City where Jim was born and raised. For 13 years she worked part-time in clothing sales at The Corner Closet. Together, Jim and Betty enjoyed county life, along with frequent trips to town where they thoroughly enjoyed socializing. Those days will be remembered by many of us as "the good ole days", where there were many good times with family and friends and Betty will be remembered for her wonderful and often infectious sense of humor. In 2004, Jim and Betty moved into town where Jim passed away from lung cancer in August. In November of 2010, Betty met Michael Dobbe and they became close friends and companions. Betty and Michael enjoyed socializing together, baseball as Minnesota Twins fans in the summer and wintering at Mike's home in Arizona. Mike remained at Betty's side through the course of her battle with cancer and was a source of great comfort and support to Betty and her daughters.
Our mom was very talented and creative, more so then I think she even realized, and she raised her five daughters to be strong and creative; each in her own way, passing on many of her talents. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many of the dresses and clothes for her children when they were young. As her daughters, we were proud of the beautiful clothes mother made for us and our dolls. She would make doll clothes, doll houses, paper dolls and even create playhouses for her girls when they were young, often out of scraps or remnants. Betty enjoyed gardening and in earlier years she often had a large vegetable garden in which she canned and froze the vegetables from every fall. In her later years she had beautiful flowers gardens and enjoyed bird watching. She loved to embroider, quilt and crochet; and made many afghans for her family and friends. She loved music, dancing and old movies, particularly Doris Day movies. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and doing puzzles. Betty was active in many ways as a volunteer in her community and as a member of several local ladies' clubs. She was a member of the local American Legion and the VFW.
Betty was loved much by her children, her family and her friends. She laughed often and had a great sense of humor with an infectious smile. She lived well and enjoyed life in spite of it all some days. She will be greatly missed.
Betty is survived by her five daughters, Marsha Gathje of Lake City, Janet (Thomas) Lyons of Gunnison, Colo., Carla Freimuth of St. James, Peggy Rosik of Lake City and Brenda Patterson of Mapleton.; 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; her brother Harvey Berner; close nephew, Dan Good; close niece, Colleen Berner and her dear friend Michael Dobbe.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; John, Roger and James; her son, Mark Patterson; sisters, Lois Berner and Hallie Good; brother, Raymond Berner, granddaughter, Sylvia Freimuth; nephew, Ron Good and her parents.
A celebration of life will be 1 p.m., Thursday, August 27, 2015 at First Lutheran Church in Lake City with Rev. Louise Stromberg and Rev. Duane Holst officiating. Interment will be at the columbarium of First Lutheran Church. A visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. with a time of sharing at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City and one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the church, the VFW Post 8729 or to cancer research of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
1022 West Lyon Ave P.O. Box 90
Lake City, MN 55041
100 Peace Ridge
Lake City, MN 55041
100 Peace Ridge
Lake City, MN 55041
She was born October 11, 1939 to Harold F. and Viva (Owen) Berner in Rockwell City, IA. She was raised and attended school there, graduating from Rockwell City High School in 1957. On August 25, 1957 she married Jerold Patterson. Betty and Jerry had six children and for 10 years they farmed near Rockwell City; then moved to Storm Lake, Iowa and later divorced. In August, 1971 Betty married John Noble. John and Betty, along with her 5 daughters and his one son, made their home in Cherokee, Iowa. John and Betty's happiness was short-lived when John died of leukemia in November of 1973. Betty reunited with an old friend, Roger Lichtenberg, and in 1974 they married. Betty and Roger, along with Betty's daughters, made their home in Waseca and later in Worthington until Roger's sudden death in March 1982 from a heart attack.
In 1984 Betty moved to Rochester where she attended Rochester Vocational-Technical College from 1984-1985, graduating with a diploma in the Human Services Technician Program. She went on to work at the United Way in Rochester, providing in-home services for the disabled and elderly from 1985-1988. In March 1987, Betty endured the loss of her only son, Mark, in a semi-truck accident. On November 5, 1988, Betty married James Russell. Betty moved to the farm in Lake City where Jim was born and raised. For 13 years she worked part-time in clothing sales at The Corner Closet. Together, Jim and Betty enjoyed county life, along with frequent trips to town where they thoroughly enjoyed socializing. Those days will be remembered by many of us as "the good ole days", where there were many good times with family and friends and Betty will be remembered for her wonderful and often infectious sense of humor. In 2004, Jim and Betty moved into town where Jim passed away from lung cancer in August. In November of 2010, Betty met Michael Dobbe and they became close friends and companions. Betty and Michael enjoyed socializing together, baseball as Minnesota Twins fans in the summer and wintering at Mike's home in Arizona. Mike remained at Betty's side through the course of her battle with cancer and was a source of great comfort and support to Betty and her daughters.
Our mom was very talented and creative, more so then I think she even realized, and she raised her five daughters to be strong and creative; each in her own way, passing on many of her talents. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many of the dresses and clothes for her children when they were young. As her daughters, we were proud of the beautiful clothes mother made for us and our dolls. She would make doll clothes, doll houses, paper dolls and even create playhouses for her girls when they were young, often out of scraps or remnants. Betty enjoyed gardening and in earlier years she often had a large vegetable garden in which she canned and froze the vegetables from every fall. In her later years she had beautiful flowers gardens and enjoyed bird watching. She loved to embroider, quilt and crochet; and made many afghans for her family and friends. She loved music, dancing and old movies, particularly Doris Day movies. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and doing puzzles. Betty was active in many ways as a volunteer in her community and as a member of several local ladies' clubs. She was a member of the local American Legion and the VFW.
Betty was loved much by her children, her family and her friends. She laughed often and had a great sense of humor with an infectious smile. She lived well and enjoyed life in spite of it all some days. She will be greatly missed.
Betty is survived by her five daughters, Marsha Gathje of Lake City, Janet (Thomas) Lyons of Gunnison, Colo., Carla Freimuth of St. James, Peggy Rosik of Lake City and Brenda Patterson of Mapleton.; 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; her brother Harvey Berner; close nephew, Dan Good; close niece, Colleen Berner and her dear friend Michael Dobbe.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; John, Roger and James; her son, Mark Patterson; sisters, Lois Berner and Hallie Good; brother, Raymond Berner, granddaughter, Sylvia Freimuth; nephew, Ron Good and her parents.
A celebration of life will be 1 p.m., Thursday, August 27, 2015 at First Lutheran Church in Lake City with Rev. Louise Stromberg and Rev. Duane Holst officiating. Interment will be at the columbarium of First Lutheran Church. A visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. with a time of sharing at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City and one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the church, the VFW Post 8729 or to cancer research of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
AUG 26. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel1022 West Lyon Ave P.O. Box 90
Lake City, MN 55041
Visitation
AUG 27. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (CDT)
First Lutheran Church - Lake City100 Peace Ridge
Lake City, MN 55041
Service
AUG 27. 1:00 PM (CDT)
First Lutheran Church - Lake City100 Peace Ridge
Lake City, MN 55041
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