Betty Christian, 1930-2015

Published 9:56 am Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Betty Lou Christian, 84, died Sunday, March 15, 2015, at her home in rural Emmons.

Betty Christian

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Silver Lake Lutheran Church in rural Northwood with the Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating. Inurnment will be in Silver Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St. in Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Betty Lou Ashpole was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Winnebago County, Iowa, the daughter of Russell and Jeanette (Kloster) Ashpole. She attended and graduated from Emmons High School

On May 28, 1948, Betty was united in marriage with Mervil “Red” Christian at Silver Lake Lutheran Church.  The couple farmed together and raised their family in rural Emmons.

Betty was a homemaker who thrived on taking care of others. Over the years, she tended to the needs of her husband, Red, their children and grandchildren, as well as some especially spoiled pets on the farm.

She enjoyed a multitude of hobbies throughout her lifetime, including square dancing, horseback riding, birdwatching, taking nature walks, maintaining her flower beds, baking cookies, attending Al-Anon meetings, keeping active with church groups and having company. Especially in her later years, Betty loved having company! She was truly interested in what each and every one of her grandchildren were busy with, and she took the time to let them all know how important they were to her.

Betty will be missed by her family, including children Victoria (Frederick Ostrowski) of Otsego, Judith (Larry) Christensen of Albert Lea, Michael (Marlene) Christian of Northwood and Kurtis Christian and Mark (Sharon) Christian, both of Albert Lea; a son-in-law, Mike Haskins, of Austin; brother, Richard (Delores) Ashpole, of Richmond, Virginia; sister, Beulah Thompson, of Northwood; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Russell and Jeanette; husband, Mervil “Red,” in 2014; a daughter, Nancy Haskins; grandson, Jerad Naser; step-grandson, Christopher Opseth; step-granddaughter, Kassi Haskins; and brother-in-law, Siram “Si” Thompson.