Betty Thorstad

Betty Marjorie Bartell, daughter of William and Jennie (Itzen) Bartell, was born August 9, 1929 in Herman , Minnesota , where she grew up. Betty attended and graduated from Herman High School . On June 16, 1948, she was united in marriage to Gorden Thorstad in Herman. Following their marriage, the couple raised their five children and farmed in the Morris area. Betty was also employed at Meadow Magic in the 1980’s and at West Wind Village in 1990. Gorden died on June 2, 1995. Betty remained on the farm until 1998, when she moved into Morris to live with her daughters, Nancy and Judy. Betty continued to work at West Wind Village until she retired in 2005.

For many years while Betty’s children were growing up, she served as a 4-H leader. She enjoyed farming, gardening, cooking, fishing, baking, sewing and knitting. Betty loved to spend time with her family and friends. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life.

Betty died on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris , MN , having lived to reach the age of 80 years.

She is survived by four children: Gary (Sandy) Thorstad of Morris, Nancy Thorstad of Morris, Judy Thorstad of Morris and Jeffrey (Sue) Thorstad of Coon Rapids; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Bradley (Sara) Thorstad and their children: Janey, Payton and Addyson Thorstad; Amy (Adam) Christians and their children: Holli and Jason; Randee (Matt) Steen and their children: Rachel and Kaylin; Michelle Thorstad (special friend: Darren Tritz), Thomas Thorstad (fiancé: Vong Deuane Sengone), Benjamin Thorstad (fiancé: Kristie Anderson), Jennifer Thorstad and Chelsey Lange (fiancé: Joe Koopman) and their daughter: Abby; two sisters: Joan (Paul) Bruns of Donnelly and Sylvia (Robert) Fridgen of Plymouth and one sister-in-law: Gail Bartell of Wheaton. She was preceded in death by her husband; one son: John Thorstad; her parents; one brother: Kenneth Bartell; sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Arnold and Irene Norby and father-in-law and mother-in-law: L. P. and Inga Thorstad.

Pallbearers for the service are: Bradley Thorstad, Benjamin Thorstad, Thomas Thorstad, Adam Christians, Matt Steen, Jerry Bruns, Terry Bartell, Marlin Anderson and Bruce Koehntop. Pam Anderson will serve as pianist/soloist and Steven Dahlseng will serve as guitarist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.