Elizabeth “Betty” Verdoorn, 89, of Delavan died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at her home.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Hope United Methodist Church in Blue Earth. The Rev. Russ Jacobsen will officiate. Burial will be in Hollandale Cemetery in Hollandale.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th St. in Blue Earth, and one hour before the service at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.

Elizabeth “Betty” was born Nov. 13, 1925, at home in Hollandale, the daughter of Peter and Sophia (Van Aalst) Van Erkel. She lived in the Hollandale area until 1929 when the family moved back to Zaltbommel, Holland. Prior to World War II the family moved back to Hollandale in 1937. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1944, and attended nurse’s training at Naeve Hospital. She married the love of her life, Emery Verdoorn, on March 19, 1947. They lived in Delavan where he farmed and Betty was a mother, homemaker and nurse.

Throughout her adult life Betty treasured friends of all ages, and helped care for and visited the sick and shut-ins. Her baked goods were a treat to all. Betty enjoyed church, her book club, garden club, volunteering at the hospital, needlepoint and baking. Her greatest loves were God and her family.

Her family said, “We will all miss her zest for life and ready smile.”

Betty is survived by her daughters Cheryl (R. Buckland “Cork”) Thomas of Newburgh, Indiana,  and Valerie (Mark) Hooper of Fairmont; son, Michael (Jeanette) Verdoorn, of Blue Earth; brother, John Henry “Henk” (Ans) Van Erkel, of Hollandale; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emery, and her parents.

Memorials are preferred to UHD Hospice or Hope United Methodist Church.