1922
Betty
2012
Betty Johnson
August 24, 1922 — March 26, 2012
Betty Welle Johnson, 89, of Fergus Falls died Monday, March 26, 2012 at the Hospitality House in rural Fergus Falls where she has resided since 2010.
Betty Jane (Welle) Johnson was born in Melrose, Minnesota on August 24, 1922. She was the first of five children born to Margaret and "Smiles" Wander. Betty graduated from high school in Melrose and moved to Minneapolis, where she married Ralph L. Welle, her high school sweetheart. They settled in Fergus Falls, where Ralph and his brother Gilbert, became the owners of Fergus Falls Monument Co. Betty and Ralph had four children. Ralph died in a car accident in 1970.
On September 29, 1972, Betty married Mike (Milton) Johnson. They were married 27 years prior to his death in 1999.
Betty was an active member of OLV Catholic Church. She belonged to church circle, and sang in the choir for over 30 years. Her faith was important to her and prayer was a big part of her life. Betty worked part time at O'Meara's Department Store where she loved working with the latest styles and helping people make the right choices for themselves. Betty enjoyed being a homemaker, and was active in a homemaker group for over 40 years. She enjoyed many pastimes, including knitting, quilting, golfing, gardening and bridge. Betty especially enjoyed any time she could spend at the lake in the summer and an occasional trip to Arizona and Mexico in the winter. She loved spending time with her family, and was fortunate enough to see and enjoy all of her grandchildren and many of her great grandchildren. Betty will be missed by all!
Betty is survived by her children: Tom (Barb) Welle, Margaret (Dan) Moore, Bob (Gail) Welle, Mark (Cathy) Welle, all of Fergus Falls; ten grandchildren: Tim (Shannon) Moore, Jeremy (Kathryn) Moore, Chad (Kristine) Welle, Chris (Chantel) Welle, Jason Welle and John Collins, Ryan (Janelle) Welle, Elizabeth Welle, Michael (Nicole) Welle, Annie (Mike) Alt and Stefanie (Dusty) Christenson; ten great grandchildren; four step-children: Dr. Mark (Chris) Johnson, Tom Johnson, Joan Mathison and Anne Johnson and step-grandchildren; two brothers: Jack (Patti) Wander of Virginia and David (Joan) Wander of Melrose; sister-in-law, Doris (Welle) Hotchkiss.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph and Mike, and infant son, two sisters, Pat and Jill, nephew Chuck; a niece, Susan; and great-granddaughters, Ayana and Ayla Alt.
God bless the memory of Betty Jane Welle (Johnson)
Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Victory Choir and School.
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM Friday, April 20, 2012 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Father Greg Paffel
Cemetery: St Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Betty Jane (Welle) Johnson was born in Melrose, Minnesota on August 24, 1922. She was the first of five children born to Margaret and "Smiles" Wander. Betty graduated from high school in Melrose and moved to Minneapolis, where she married Ralph L. Welle, her high school sweetheart. They settled in Fergus Falls, where Ralph and his brother Gilbert, became the owners of Fergus Falls Monument Co. Betty and Ralph had four children. Ralph died in a car accident in 1970.
On September 29, 1972, Betty married Mike (Milton) Johnson. They were married 27 years prior to his death in 1999.
Betty was an active member of OLV Catholic Church. She belonged to church circle, and sang in the choir for over 30 years. Her faith was important to her and prayer was a big part of her life. Betty worked part time at O'Meara's Department Store where she loved working with the latest styles and helping people make the right choices for themselves. Betty enjoyed being a homemaker, and was active in a homemaker group for over 40 years. She enjoyed many pastimes, including knitting, quilting, golfing, gardening and bridge. Betty especially enjoyed any time she could spend at the lake in the summer and an occasional trip to Arizona and Mexico in the winter. She loved spending time with her family, and was fortunate enough to see and enjoy all of her grandchildren and many of her great grandchildren. Betty will be missed by all!
Betty is survived by her children: Tom (Barb) Welle, Margaret (Dan) Moore, Bob (Gail) Welle, Mark (Cathy) Welle, all of Fergus Falls; ten grandchildren: Tim (Shannon) Moore, Jeremy (Kathryn) Moore, Chad (Kristine) Welle, Chris (Chantel) Welle, Jason Welle and John Collins, Ryan (Janelle) Welle, Elizabeth Welle, Michael (Nicole) Welle, Annie (Mike) Alt and Stefanie (Dusty) Christenson; ten great grandchildren; four step-children: Dr. Mark (Chris) Johnson, Tom Johnson, Joan Mathison and Anne Johnson and step-grandchildren; two brothers: Jack (Patti) Wander of Virginia and David (Joan) Wander of Melrose; sister-in-law, Doris (Welle) Hotchkiss.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph and Mike, and infant son, two sisters, Pat and Jill, nephew Chuck; a niece, Susan; and great-granddaughters, Ayana and Ayla Alt.
God bless the memory of Betty Jane Welle (Johnson)
Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Victory Choir and School.
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM Friday, April 20, 2012 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls
Visitation: one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Father Greg Paffel
Cemetery: St Otto's Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
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