The memorial service for Bette L. Tlamka of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, 2210 E. Main St., Albert Lea. The Rev. Jeff Laeger-Hagemeister will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Friends may visit with family one hour before the service at the funeral home.
Bette died on Sunday, March 28, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea. She was 79.
Bette was born on May 28, 1930, in Freeborn County, the daughter of Samuel W. and Jesse (Birdsell) VanGuilder . She was united in marriage to John A. Tlamka on Dec. 4, 1950. She did housekeeping and babysitting for several people in our area, and also did office work for Pat Callahan for 12 years.
She was an area resident most of her life, except for a couple of years after her husband died and her children were grown, she lived with her brother in California. She lived at Shady Oaks for more than 15 years, where she enjoyed being involved in all activities and held offices on the housing council. Due to failing health, she spent her last two years at St. John’s Lutheran Home, where she always enjoyed being where the action was.
Throughout her life she had enjoyed bowling, playing pool, playing cards especially cribbage, dancing, camping and fishing.
She is survived by three children: Paul Tlamka and his wife Julie of Albert Lea, Diane and her husband Greg Goskeson of Manly, Iowa, Larry Tlamka and his wife Julie also of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Jessica Tarvestad and her fiancé Darren Smith of Manly, Iowa, Shane Goskeson of Albert Lea, Nathan Goskeson of Conger, Bryan Tlamka and his fianceé Celine Stein of Albert Lea, Tracy Tlamka and special friend Casey of Mankato, Cole Tlamka and special friend Jen of Steam Boat Springs, Colo., Brandon Tlamka and special friend Katie of Albert Lea and Bree Tlamka of Albert Lea; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Katherine VanGuilder of Albert Lea and Alice VanGuilder of California; good friend Larry Kimball of St. John’s Lutheran Home; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; brothers: Lloyd, Donald, Glenn, Richard, and Kenneth; sisters: Ruth Peterson, Helen Butler, Evelyn Eiste and Fern VanGuilder.
Even though Bette went through difficult times — her husband died in 1977, leaving her alone with a young family — she persevered.
Blessed be her memory.