Betty Lou Carlson entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at St. Patrick Hospital. She was ninety-seven-years-old. Her sons and daughter were at her bedside.
She was born Betty Lou Dreger on March 26, 1927 in Popple Creek, Wisconsin. She was born on the family farm.
The family relocated to Gays Mills, where Betty spent her childhood years. It was during the Depression, but Betty found four friends her own age and she always recalled special memories from that time period. In her teenage years, Betty moved from the small town of Gays Mills to the big city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin with her family. There Betty attended college, receiving her 2-year rural teaching diploma. Betty always said that she majored in jitterbugging, loving dancing more than studying, even winning a couple of contests.
She married Larry W. Carlson in 1953, making their home in Eau Claire. They had three children, Bill, Tim and Cherie. Larry felt the call of the West, moving his young family to Colorado. In a small town outside of Denver, Larry and Betty (while raising their young family) built a number of new homes to sell, Betty doing the interior design.
With the children grown, Betty now decided it was time to “pull up stakes’” and decided on the Bitterroot Valley for their next chapter. She was gracious, warm and loving. And never stopped witnessing of her deep faith in the Lord. She even witnessed to wrong numbers on the telephone.
Betty was a lifelong-member of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, with her grandfather even having built a still-active church on the family farm, in the late 1800’s. Betty was always very active in the church, whether she was teaching Sunday School, Bible Study or potlucks. Her current church home was First Lutheran in Missoula
The family would like to thank First Lutheran for all the cards and attention they lavished on Betty during her illnesses. Also, thanks to Riverside Senior Home for their constant professional care and always being there for Betty. And thank you to St. Patrick’s 5th floor comfort care unit. It brought hope and peace watching how they cared for Betty in her final moments. God’s blessings to all!
She is survived by Tim and Bill Carlson (Dawnita) and Cherie Carlson, her sons and daughter and sister-in-law, Faylene Dreger. She had five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. We are comforted knowing we will be reunited in Heaven!
A private family graveside service for Betty was held on Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Victor Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.