Betty JoAnn Steen

Betty JoAnn Steen

Betty JoAnn Steen, 78, of Lancaster, Minnesota passed away at her home on Friday, November 16th, 2012. Betty was born at Hallock, Minnesota on March 26, 1934 to Ernest and Amy (Hendrickson) Gustafson. She grew up at Lancaster and attended school there. On December 17, 1950 she was united in marriage to Orville Steen at Crookston, Minnesota. The couple lived in International Falls, Minnesota for a short time before returning to Lancaster. Betty worked at the Red Owl Store (formerly the Co-op Store) and the Lancaster Locker Plant for several years. Betty and Orville also did upholstery work in their home for many years. In 1985 she started Betty’s Daycare and in 1997 was named “Daycare Provider of the Year”.

She retired in 2011 but was available to baby sit if needed. Her daycare children became additional grandchildren to her. Orville passed away on February 16, 1988. She was a member of Sion Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the American Cancer Society.

Betty was well loved as a mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend to many. Her passions were faith and family. She was a master gardener and loved sharing with all. We will miss her zest for life.

The way she lived her life was an inspiration to her family.

She is survived by her children, Rosemarie Steen, Cathy (Brad) Homstad, Connie (George) Zondagh, Craig Steen and Mary Ellen (James) Diamond, all of Lancaster; six grandchildren, Ross (Brooke) Homstad, Brett Homstad, Chase Homstad, Brady Diamond, Shelby Diamond and Ty Diamond; a great grandson, Trekker Homstad; brothers, Reynold (Florence), Phoenix, AZ, Harold (Janice), Bloomington, MN, William (Judy), Bloomington and Richard (Kathy), Burnsville, MN; sisters, Mary Zarins, Minnetonka, MN and Virginia (Robert) Crounse, Berrien Springs, MI as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orville; a daughter, Deborah Lee; a granddaughter, Lisa Marie and a brother, John.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, November 23rd, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Sion Lutheran Church, Lancaster. Interment will be in Riverview Memorial Garden Cemetery, Lancaster.

Visitation will be held the Austin Funeral Chapel in Hallock on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

(www.austinfuneralchapel.com)

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