Betty Ann Moll, age 89, of Atwater, passed away Wednesday, May 18, at Sunny View Assisted Living in Atwater.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at St. John Lutheran Church in Atwater. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at St. John Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com
Betty Ann Behm was born on February 14, 1933, to Carl and Ann (Sundin) Behm on a farm near Atwater, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church of Atwater on February 26, 1933. Betty attended school at St. John Lutheran School and was confirmed in the Christian faith in 1946. On June 3, 1951, Betty was united in marriage to Donald Moll and moved to his farm where she would live until she lost her vision to glaucoma in 2018. She moved to an assisted living home in Lake Lillian and later to Sunnyview in Atwater, where she passed away on May 18, 2022, with her family by her side. Betty lived a full life, motivated by faith, family, and food.
Betty’s Christian education and her love of Jesus led her to be very active in her church. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years, and especially enjoyed working with children. She was a proud member and leader in St. John’s Ladies Aid group. In her community, Betty was an active member of the Block Nurse Program (now called Atwater Area Help for Seniors). She was a generous blood donor, participated in community bake sales, and a program for children, dear to her heart, called Cooking with Grandma.
Betty’s family was very important to her. Betty was married to Donald for 63 years before his passing in 2014. Her four children were the center of her life. She was active in their education, 4-H, and being a chauffeur for many activities and events. She was a caring daughter, a loving mother, and a devoted wife. Betty welcomed her extended family, especially her nieces and nephews, to the farm and into her home. Throughout her life, she opened her home to the friends of her children, her numerous grandchildren, and many more that felt at home with Betty. There was always fun and laughter in her presence, and she quickly became mom and grandma to many.
Betty was at home in any kitchen. Whether making her rather famous lemon pie, rhubarb torte, angel pie, honey oat bread, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, molasses cookies, glorified rice, or potato salad, you were certain to have something delicious to eat. She was always ready for unexpected guests with a freezer full of baked goods, ice cream, and homemade lasagna. Betty also cooked and served for numerous church fundraiser dinners, bake sales, and funerals.
Betty was blessed with so many family members and friends during her lifetime, and especially through her years in assisted living. Her family would like to thank all those who visited, called, and prayed for her. A special thank you to Pastor Strickland, as she looked forward to his visits most of all. We also want to thank the staff at Lake Lillian and Sunnyview homes for their attentive care and Ecumen Hospice for their loving staff to guide Betty and her family through her final days. Betty requested a special thank you to her lifelong friend and fellow resident at Sunnyview, Marilyn Stoffers, who supported her in so many ways.
Betty is survived by her children; Alan (Tammy) Moll, Marlene (Jim) Christenson, and Brian (Rebecca) Moll; son-in-law, Tim McCarthy; eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren; brother, Don (Arlene) Behm,; sister, Linda (Mick) Mickelson, and sister-in-law, Betty Behm.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; infant son, Wayne; daughter, Mary McCarthy; grandson, Matthew McCarthy, and brother, Harry Behm.
