Obituary of Betty Ruth Riessen

    Betty Ruth Riessen, the daughter of John W. and Hazel (Peckham) Brown, was born May 20, 1924 at Elk River, Minnesota, Sherburne County. She was educated in the rural schools of Anoka County in Minnesota, graduating from Anoka High School in 1942.

    Following her graduation, Betty moved to Hartley, Iowa where she was united in marriage to Irvin Riessen on March 29, 1944. Three children were born to this union: Dean, Diane, and Gloria. They made their home near Sanborn, Iowa, then moved to Hartley, and in 1949, settled on a farm by May City, Iowa.

    While living at May City, Betty was a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church of that town, where she sang in the choir and served as church secretary for 11 years. Later on, she moved to a home on Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, Iowa. She became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church at Spirit Lake, and was employed at Van's Grocery for eight years, and Trustworthy Hardware for 13 1/2 years. After her retirement, Betty moved back to Hartley. She kept her days busy volunteering in the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary School system.

    Eventually, Betty moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to be close to family. She passed from this life on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hazel Brown; her husband, Irvin Riessen; and son-in-law, Kenny McDougal.

    Left to cherish her memory are her son, Dean and his wife, Carol Riessen of Spencer, IA; her daughter, Diane and her husband, Mike Huls of Sibley, IA; and her daughter, Gloria Riessen; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christina, Timothy, Britney, Mercedes, Ashanti, Kianna, and Bronx Riessen all of Sioux Falls, SD; other relatives and friends.    

Celebration of Life

Betty R. Riessen

Born ~ May 20, 1924

Died ~ January 22, 2018

Age ~ 93 years   8 months   2 days

Funeral Service

Friday, January 26, 2018

 2:00 p.m.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

Hartley, Iowa

Officiating ~ Pastor Chris Nitzel

Organist ~ Connie George

Special Music

"Because You Loved Me" ~ CD

Congregational Singing

Processional ~ "In The Garden"

                       "Nearer My God To Thee"

Recessional ~ "Abide With Me"

Usher

Keith Webber

Burial

Pleasant View Cemetery

Hartley, Iowa