Betty Marie Stranberg

Betty Marie Stranberg, age 100, of Atwater, passed away Thursday, November 21, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater on Tuesday, December 10, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Union Cemetery.  Memorials in Betty’s name may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Atwater Area Help For Seniors.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com 

Betty Marie (Ferguson) Stranberg was born in Kandiyohi, Minnesota, on February 12, 1924, to Hazel (Flygare) and Otis Ferguson. She grew up in the Atwater community and graduated from Atwater High School in 1942. On April 25, 1944, Betty was united in marriage to Glenn Stranberg at the Flygare family farm south of Atwater. After Glenn returned from WWII in 1945, they moved to the family farm west of town. 

In the 1960’s, Betty was the first woman to be accepted to be a police officer in Willmar, but she could not accept the job as it required that she move to Willmar.

Betty’s career included work at the ASCS office in Willmar for several years before taking a position with Holm Brothers Plumbing Heating and Holm Finance in Atwater as their office manager until retiring in 1986.

Betty’s faith was strong, and she was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church since her confirmation, later becoming one of the first women to serve on the church council.

Betty loved to do needle work, creating beautiful Swedish weaving, among many other handiworks. She also loved to cook and bake cake, cookies, pie and bread. Family and friends always knew they were welcome to stop by for a meal or coffee at any time.

What Betty loved the most were her family members and dear friends, whom she valued greatly. Once you met Betty, you were always and forever special to her. She accepted everyone, no matter what, without judgement.

Betty is survived by her four children, Charles (Jean), Linda (Dave Vogelgesang), Larry (Sheryl) and Kevin (Steven Kassof); six grandchildren, Reid, Kurt, Jill, Beth, Jennie and Darin; fourteen great grandchildren; one great great grandson; two nieces; one nephew; and two special additions to the Stranberg family, Lorie Gunner and Sandy Edwards, besides a host of friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 73 years, Glenn; brother, Roger; two granddaughters, Robin Bredeson and Stacey Tesch; foster son, Jerome Everson; and five nieces and nephews.