1921
Betty
2014
Betty Jane Withers
October 26, 1921 — January 11, 2014
Betty Jane "Betts" Withers, 92, died on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at the Seminary Home where she had been a resident for the past 5 years.
Betts was born in Red Wing on Oct. 26, 1921 to Ruth (Hanson) and Dr. Clarence J. Maetzold. Her father had a dental practice in Lester Prairie, MN before relocating to Red Wing when Betts was a senior in high school. She met her husband, Seth G. Withers, in a local dance band called "Cully's Caravan," where Betts played the piano and Seth played drums.
During the 4 years that Seth served in the army during World War II, Betts worked first at the local draft board and later as a secretary in Miami, FL and New York City. Betts and Seth were married in Sept. 1945, shortly after Seth returned from service in Europe.
They made their home in Red Wing, raising three children while Seth was Postmaster and active in Red Wing city politics, and Betts worked for a time at the County Welfare office. But she was primarily a supportive wife and involved Mom. She was active in the League of Women Voters, the Sister Cities Commission, the Red Wing Art Association and Goodhue County Historical Society. She was a Sunday School teacher and the first woman to serve as a communion assistant at First Lutheran Church. Betts had a strong lifelong faith and trust in God which inspired her family and others.
Betts enjoyed her Scandinavian heritage and especially all things "Swedish." She loved to travel and to garden, adored her beagle, Henry, and had a gift of hospitality that made so many feel welcome in her home. Betts had an indomitable spirit of fun and adventure, from organizing a kazoo band to greet visitors arriving by train, endless bike hikes and picnics on area trails, and traveling to Europe several times with family and friends.
Betts was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers James and Thomas Maetzold, and her husband Seth in 1985. She is survived by her three children: Greg (Marlys) of Anoka, MN; Rev. Sarah Lewis of Vienna, VA; and Jane (Stephen) Kuhlmey of Eden Prairie, MN. She was an incredible Grandma to six grandchildren--- Emily (Brandt) Friestad, Seth (Amanda) Withers, Peter (Meri) Lewis, Patrick (Briana) Lewis, Barbara Lewis, and Brian (Sharyl) Kuhlmey. The next generation continues with the first two great-grandchildren, Carson and Blake Friestad. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Ruth Withers of Red Wing and Betty Maetzold of Minneapolis, and many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 16th at 1 pm at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery and a reception at the church will follow. Memorials to the American Heart Association are preferred.
628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
Betts was born in Red Wing on Oct. 26, 1921 to Ruth (Hanson) and Dr. Clarence J. Maetzold. Her father had a dental practice in Lester Prairie, MN before relocating to Red Wing when Betts was a senior in high school. She met her husband, Seth G. Withers, in a local dance band called "Cully's Caravan," where Betts played the piano and Seth played drums.
During the 4 years that Seth served in the army during World War II, Betts worked first at the local draft board and later as a secretary in Miami, FL and New York City. Betts and Seth were married in Sept. 1945, shortly after Seth returned from service in Europe.
They made their home in Red Wing, raising three children while Seth was Postmaster and active in Red Wing city politics, and Betts worked for a time at the County Welfare office. But she was primarily a supportive wife and involved Mom. She was active in the League of Women Voters, the Sister Cities Commission, the Red Wing Art Association and Goodhue County Historical Society. She was a Sunday School teacher and the first woman to serve as a communion assistant at First Lutheran Church. Betts had a strong lifelong faith and trust in God which inspired her family and others.
Betts enjoyed her Scandinavian heritage and especially all things "Swedish." She loved to travel and to garden, adored her beagle, Henry, and had a gift of hospitality that made so many feel welcome in her home. Betts had an indomitable spirit of fun and adventure, from organizing a kazoo band to greet visitors arriving by train, endless bike hikes and picnics on area trails, and traveling to Europe several times with family and friends.
Betts was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers James and Thomas Maetzold, and her husband Seth in 1985. She is survived by her three children: Greg (Marlys) of Anoka, MN; Rev. Sarah Lewis of Vienna, VA; and Jane (Stephen) Kuhlmey of Eden Prairie, MN. She was an incredible Grandma to six grandchildren--- Emily (Brandt) Friestad, Seth (Amanda) Withers, Peter (Meri) Lewis, Patrick (Briana) Lewis, Barbara Lewis, and Brian (Sharyl) Kuhlmey. The next generation continues with the first two great-grandchildren, Carson and Blake Friestad. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Ruth Withers of Red Wing and Betty Maetzold of Minneapolis, and many nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 16th at 1 pm at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery and a reception at the church will follow. Memorials to the American Heart Association are preferred.
Service
JAN 16. 1:00 PM (CST)
United Lutheran Church628 West 5th Street
Red Wing, MN 55066
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