Obituary of Betty Jean Anderson

Betty Jean Anderson, 95, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024 in her apartment at Ridgepointe Senior Living in Minnetonka, MN surrounded by family.

Betty was born in Danbury, IA on April 1, 1929 and was the youngest of five children. Her parents, Matthias and Lillian Eskildsen, moved their family to a farm in the small town of Oto, IA in 1934. There, she attended school until she graduated in May of 1946. One of the significant events of her childhood was development of rheumatic fever in fifth grade, which caused her to spend most of the school year at home in bed where she was well cared for by her mother and her sisters.

Following her graduation, she moved to Sioux City and worked an office job. It was also during this time that she met the love of her life, Morgan Anderson. The two were married at Augustana Lutheran Church on August 13, 1949. After Morgan graduated from college, they moved to the Twin Cities where he found employment at 3M.

Morgan and Betty had two children: Kurt and Karla. They lived in St. Paul for 10 years, and then moved to White Bear Lake where they lived for 47 years. There, Betty worked part time as a secretary at the junior high school and then for Minnesota Life Insurance until Morgan retired. They were active members at First Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake and spent lots of time with their friends in "Couples Club." Betty and Morgan planned one long family vacation each year with Kurt and Karla when they were young usually involving driving, camping and visiting several national parks including Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and Banff. They also visited the East Coast and Washington D.C. Later on, they enjoyed trips to Europe, Hawaii, and Caribbean and Alaskan cruises.

In 2007, they moved to Buffalo, MN where they joined Zion Lutheran Church. Betty enjoyed cooking, baking, and spending time with friends. After 65 years of marriage, Morgan passed away from a stroke in 2014. After this, Betty stayed at their home in Buffalo for almost five more years, but in 2019, she moved to Ridgepointe Senior Living in Minnetonka. There, she enjoyed spending time with other residents on the porch outside in the summertime and visiting with people who stopped by.

Betty was a delight to those she spent time with. Her main goals in life were to be a secretary, loving wife, and mother. She always had some kind of baked goods and coffee when you visited, and she loved to laugh. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her so much joy, whether by sitting with them or watching them in a horse show, orchestra concert, or sporting event.

Betty will be greatly missed by many dear friends and family. She is survived by children, Kurt (Carol) and Karla (Don) Nold; grandchildren, Caroline (Rick), William, Matthew (Annie), Kevin (Kelsey), Hannah, Lily, Rebekah (Reuben), and Sarah (Mark); and great-grandchildren, Grace, Thomas, Rose, Knolan, Lydia, Maggie, and Norah. She was preceded in death by her parents, Matthias and Lillian Eskildsen; siblings, Marvin, Alvin, Elaine, and Pauline; and loving husband of 65 years, Morgan.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Betty's life will be held on Friday, October11 at 2 p.m. at Messiah Church (17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447), with visitation an hour prior. A private burial is planned at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the charity of your choice.