Obituary of Betty Virginia Blackwell-Sloan

Heaven gained another soprano for the choir on June 30, 2018. The rest of us lost a mother, grandmother,great grandmother, friend, confidant, storyteller and co-conspirator in whatever fun adventure looked the most exciting. Betty loved life and did not know a stranger.Betty was born January 7, 1928 to John and Selma Blackwell. She grew up in Grand Marais, Minnesota and was a graduate of Cook County High School. She married Harry T. Sloan Jr. September 27, 1947 and resided Tofte, Minnesota where they raised six children together. In 2001 when she moved to the Duluth/Cloquet area to be closer to her children but she always considered the NorthShore home. Betty loved to sing and composed a large volume of original music. She also wrote poetry and short stories that she brought to life with the art of oral storytelling she learned from her father, John. When she wasn't writing she was reading. Betty loved to stay active by playing cards, going to Bingo and the Moose Lodge,her church and spending time with her many, many friends. In her later years,her walker didn't slow her down much and she was always up for whatever shenanigans she could talk someone into. Betty loved to have fun. She was one of the most loving, friendly and giving human beings God put on the earth. There is no one whose life she touched that was not made better for it. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Betty is survived by her six children: Harry (Debbie) Sloan of Superior, WI;Michael (Linda) Sloan of Paris, TN; Susan (Bob) Davis of Mahtowa, MN; Maribeth (John) Engen, Milan, IL, Bill Sloan of Cloquet, MN and Rob (Bretta) Sloan of Esko, MN Seven grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her parents John and Selma Blackwell, brothers Jack, Bob and Jim Blackwell, husband Harry T. Sloan Jr. and beloved Grandson Mikie Sloan. Memorial services will be held at Journey Church, 1400 Washington AvenueCloquet, MN on July 5th at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am. She will be interred at Tofte Cemetery in Tofte, MN.