Betty Abben

Memorial services for Betty Jean Abben will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Reverend John Holt will officiate. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Betty Jean was born on August 23, 1932 to parents George and Laura (Grinolds) Peterson in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She was a lifelong resident of Albert Lea, graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1950.

Betty Jean Peterson married the love of her life, Leland M. Abben, on August 26, 1950. To this union, five children were born. She shared a special love with her husband Lee. Betty was caring, loving, and had a great sense of humor. Betty was a homemaker and took pride in her home and her appearance. She welcomed everyone into their home, offering guests delicious food and homemade baked goods. She was the rock of the family.

Betty loved camping trips with the family and fishing trips to Canada. In retirement, she and Leland took many bus trips adventuring around the United States. Betty was involved in card club for many years and enjoyed spending time with friends as well. She was a history buff, enjoyed reading, and would listen to an eclectic variety of music. Her grandparents were charter members of First Lutheran Church where she enjoyed being an active member. Faith and family were the most important things to Betty.

On Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Betty passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea.

Survivors include her children, Barbara (Wayne) Morfitt, Lori (Michael) Lobb, Christine (Duane) Schmidt, Garry Abben, Jane (Mick) Beighley; grandchildren, Melanie, Matthew, Marc, Jon, Michael, Sarah, Jeremy, Brooke, Emily, Ethan, Meghan; 15 great grandchildren; sister, Carol Gilderhus; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Dorothy (Claire) Caldwell, Duane Abben, and Gene Pacovsky; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Abben; parents, George and Laura Peterson; sisters, Barb Armstrong and Kathy Pacovsky; brothers, George (Murdy), Tom, and David Peterson; brother-in-law, Larry Gilderhus; and granddaughter, Rachel Beighley.

Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association (7900 West 78th Street, Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN, 55439) or Mayo Clinic Hospice (1705 SE Broadway, Health Reach Campus, Albert Lea, MN 56007).

Her memory will live on in her children’s hearts forever.