Betty Jane Wenberg, 88, of International Falls, Minn., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at Rainy Lake Medical Center.
Betty Jane Thompson was born Jan. 21, 1925, in Thief River Falls, Minn., to Ben and Gina Thompson.
She moved with her family to International Falls when she was 5 years old and attended local schools, graduating from Falls High School in 1943.
She was united in marriage to John L. Wenberg at Zion Lutheran Church by the Rev. R.O. Evans on Aug. 21, 1943.
Betty was the financial secretary for Wenberg Transfer from 1962 to 1986.
She graduated from Rainy River Community College with an associate of arts degree.
Betty was very active in Zion Lutheran Church activities such as ELCW, Priscilla Circle, Quilter’s Guild and Sunday School.
She worked at JC Penney’s during World War II and at Boe’s Creamery in the 50s.
Betty especially enjoyed fishing on Rainy Lake with her family, influenced by brothers-in-law Marshall Brown, Loren Sartain, Keith Amidon and brother Milton Thompson. Many happy hours were spent on Sand Point and having shore lunch in Redgut.
Betty was always ready for a picnic at Woodenfrog, Birchdale or City Beach.
Both Betty and John enjoyed golfing in the Falls as well as when they were wintering in Florida.
Betty was also an accomplished seamstress in sewing and needlework and a member of a sewing club for many years.
She loved flowers and always had a beautiful garden.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was an excellent role model.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Gina Thompson; brothers, Lynn (Bud), Milton, James and Jack (in infancy); and sisters, Mavis Sartain, Eileen Stubee and Margaret Cline.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 70 years, John L. Wenberg of International Falls; son, John S. Wenberg (Pamela) of International Falls; daughters, Mary Jane Carlson (Larry) of Port Charlotte, Fla., and Candace Haugtvedt (Curtis) of Westerville, Ohio.
Betty is also survived by her sisters, Dorothy Brown of Fountain Hills, Ariz., Shirley Vaux of Eden Prairie and Janet Amidon of International Falls; grandchildren, Jody (Shawn) Youso, Jennifer (Charles) Wenberg Anderson, Clayton (Dena) Wenberg, Michael (Ceylan) Carlson, Erica Haugtvedt (Evan Thomas) and Andrea Haugtvedt; and great-grandchildren, Jessa Youso, Ethan Youso, Gunnar Anderson, Teagan Anderson, Kelby Anderson and Kenzie Wenberg.
Betty is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.
Memorial services will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls, with the Rev. Stephen Olson officiating.
Interment will take place this summer at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Memorials in memory of Betty are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
