Jean C. Bettinger, age 77, of Oak Grove and formerly of Nowthen and Isanti, died September 2, 2011 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 6th at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti with Father Kevin Anderson as Celebrant. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church.
Jean Catherine Bettinger was born May 28, 1934 in Nowthen, Minnesota to Edward and Stella Mevissen. She graduated from Elk River High School in 1952. On August 1, 1953 Jean married Louis Bettinger at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Anoka. They made their home in Burns Township where they farmed. Jean worked for Burns Township and was the Town Clerk for Nowthen and she was also an election judge. In 1985 they moved to Wahkon, Minnesota to enjoy their retirement fishing and boating on Mille Lacs Lake, with their kids and grandkids. After Louis needed nursing home care in 1992 Jean has lived in Isanti and most recently in Oak Grove. She was devoted to church and was involved with bake sales and religious education. She loved being with her family and also enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, crocheting, cooking and baking. Her homemade buns were especially enjoyed by her family.
Jean will be lovingly remembered by her six daughters, Linda (Bill) Ryther, Mary (Paul) Dahlheimer, Carol (Mike) Tichy, Paula (Joe) Glaze, Julie Meyers, and Ruth (Brad) Kamps; three sons, Randy (Josie) Bettinger, Gary (Becky) Bettinger, and James (Cheryl) Bettinger; daughter-in-law, Dona; brother, Melvin (Sue) Mevissen; 28 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and by many other family members and friends.
Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Louis; son, Leon; sisters, Dorothy and Mabel; and brothers, Lawrence, Andrew, Robert, Herman, Donald, Harold and Merle.
I remember when I first met Leon (Jean’s oldest son) and Jean would be in the kitchen cooking big pots full of food for just one meal. When all the food was prepared and placed on the island, the kids would run to get in line. Leon warned me that if I waited too long, there wouldn’t be anything left and he was right! Everyone worked so hard on the farm, Jean made sure they got the best three meals, everyday!
We had so much fun when Louie and Jean bought the place on Mille Lacs Lake. Leon and I brought the three kids up every weekend – now I look back and think Jean and Louie were probably exhausted every Sunday night after all the kids/grandkids left! And don’t forget the old, huge pontoon boat that the guys “fixed up”!! Remember when we almost sank the thing when there was too many of us on the front? Lots of good times through the years . . .
Here’s to Jean. She will be missed.
To the family I send my prayers and condolences. I just found out this evening from Marge B.
Eternal rest grant unto Jean, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen. May the Divine Mercy of the Living God be upon Jean and her family.
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. – Anonymous. For us Christians, death is not the end, but the beginning. Praise God!
From the Diary of St. Faustina: “One day, I saw two roads. One was broad, … And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness, and all these souls entered there. At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings. (Diary 153). Let us always choose the narrow path to LIFE! My love and prayers.