Betty Barchus

Betty Barchus, age 95, was born December 15, 1922, and passed away at Good Samaritan Society, Pine River, on October 23, 2017, surrounded by family. Betty graduated from Pine River School in 1940, attended teacher's college for one year before WWII, then moved to Washington State where she worked for the USO. For most of her life Betty farmed west of Pequot, served as Maple Township supervisor and worked at Grand View Lodge. She sewed her daughters' dresses for weddings, dance outfits, and each Easter, a new outfit for each and every one of her 8 children for every Easter Mass at St. Alice Catholic Church. She played piano, loved to dance to good music, had a large garden and grew flowers from seed. Betty belonged to card clubs with her neighbors. She taught her children how to play scrabble and crossword puzzles. Betty always displayed a positive attitude and was always smiling. She offered a cup of coffee and a treat for anyone who stopped by for good conversation.

Betty was predeceased by three husbands: Leonhard Voges, Lauren Dally and Lester Barchus; her brother, William Neumann, Jr.; and her parents, Christina and William Neumann of South Dakota.

Betty is survived by her eight children, Phyllis "Annie" (Rick) Rill, Bill (Lois) Voges, Suzie (Kenny) Palmer, Mary Hartwig, Carol (Randy) Harrington, Julie Durham, George (Jackie) Voges and Laurie Dally (Ron Richardson); also by 19 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will occur on Thursday, October 26 at St. Alice Catholic Church in Pequot Lakes. Visitation is from 10-11 a.m. with the funeral mass at 11 a.m.