Betty Koenen

Betty Lou Koenen was born on July 19, 1938, in Lakefield, Minnesota, the daughter of Albert J, and Mathilda D. Miller. She was baptized on February 5, 1939 in Lakefield and confirmed in the Christian faith on May 13, 1951, at Riverside Lutheran Church in Dawson. She attended elementary school through eighth grade in Lac Qui Parle County country schools, District # 28 and graduated from Dawson High School on May 31, 1956. Before her marriage to Stanley Koenen on June 18, 1960, Betty worked for Montgomery Ward Department Store in Montevideo in 1956, State Farm Insurance Company in St. Paul, the V-Store in Clara City and Dr. C. L. Peterson,optometrist in Montevideo. Later, Betty also sold Tupperware products and was an Avon Representative.In 1986, Betty divorced and moved to Willmar, where she attended Willmar Community College. She graduated on May 24, 1989 and soon after, began working for Southern Minnesota Sugar Co-op, Renville, in the lab as a computer entry technician. She was then employed in computer sales entry in the Pals division of Willmar Poultry Company on December 13, 1989 and on August 16, 1992 began working as a Wal-Mart Associate and eventually in the Bureau of Collections. Until her failing health forced her retirement, she had worked for Wal-Mart for 16 years. Betty enjoyed gardening and planting flowers. She also enjoyed going to dances, attending her grandchildrenÂ?s school activities, and reading. She was a member of Bethany Reformed Church and actively served in Mission Circle. She cherished the time spent visiting with her grandchildren, family and friends and was always willing to work hard and help others. In the early morning hours of Saturday May 12, 2012, Betty was called peacefully from this life while a resident at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar. She was 73 years of age. Surviving family include her daughters Pamela Kay (& Gene) Stengel of Granite Falls, and Barbara Jo Rhoda of Maynard and Montevideo; grandchildren Theresa (& Otto) Luepke of Sacred Heart, Tara (& Tyler Staab) Stengel of Clarkfield, Kevin Stengel of West Des Moines, IA, Robert Stengel (& special friend Ashley Soderstrom) of Granite Falls, Samantha (& Ryan) Godfrey of Montevideo, and Dana Rhoda (& special friend Joshua Reiman) of Granite Falls; eight great grandchildren: Erin Bissett, Katelyn Luepke, Ashley Luepke and James Luepke of Sacred Heart and Quinton Staab, Ethan Staab, Jackson Staab and Madelynn Staab of Clarkfield; three sisters- Emily Cox of Truman, Phyllis Key of Midland, TX and Ardella (& Glenn) Sumner of Boyd; three brothers: Vernon (& Beatrice) Miller of Belgrade; Eldon (& Cecelia) Miller of Andover; Floyd (& Kit) Miller of Strathmore, CA; several nieces, nephews and extended family. Preceding Betty in death were her parents Albert J. and Mathilda Miller; her former husband Stanley Koenen; a grandson Dustin Rhoda; one brother/sister-in-law Delaine George (& Kathy) Miller and a sister/brother-in-law Mildred (& Frank) Admire and a brother-in-law: Kenneth Key. Blessed be her memory.