Verna Betz

Verna Betz, 87, of Rushford, died Thursday, December 1, 2005, at Season's Hospice in Rochester, Minn. surrounded by her family. Verna was born in Rushford on August 8, 1918, to Roy and Christine (Laumb) James. She graduated from Rushford High School and then attended the Minneapolis School of Business. On April 17, 1939, she married Robert Betz of Rushford. They were married for 61 years before his death in December of 2000. She was employed for 16 years at SEMCAC where she worked as executive secretary for Halvor Lacher. After retirement, she and her husband enjoyed winters in Monterey, California as well as spending time with their children and grandchildren. Her hobbies were cooking, baking, collecting angels, and spending time with friends and family. She was a member of the Rushford Lutheran Church, the church ladies aide and circle, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion auxiliaries, Ferndale Country Club, Rushford Historical Society, and a past member of the Federated Women's Club. Verna is survived by three daughters: Roberta (Harley) Johnson of Austin, Minn., Carol (Robert) Tweten of Byron, Minn. and Sybil Williams of Monterey, Cal. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kristin (Carl) Pederson of Pine City, Minn., Melissa (Glenn) Stoffel of Burnsville, Minn., Kara (Nick) Stauffacher of Madison, Wis. and Gregg Tweten of LaCrosse, Wis., as well as great-grandchildren: Luke and Riley Pederson, Kaitlyn Stoffel, and Haley and Olivia Stauffacher; and one sister, Edna Onsrud of Rushford. She was preceded in death by her husband, son-in-law, Cleve Williams, parents, and four brothers and one sister.