Betty Belling

Betty Jean (Odden) Belling, 85 of Staples died Dec. 3, 2011 at the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples.

A memorial service was held Dec. 7, at Faith Lutheran Church, Staples with Pastor Steven Sveom officiating. Burial will be held in the spring at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Staples. Arrangements were with the Brenny Funeral Home, Staples.

Betty was born April 22, 1926 in Staples to Anthony and Mabel (Fitzgerald) Kurpius. She graduated from Brainerd High School. Betty lived most of her adult life in Staples. In June of 1947, Betty married Gerald (Jerry) Odden in Staples. Together they owned and operated Odden Construction until Jerry's passing in 1972. In 1974, Betty went to work for United District Hospital (now LHS), retiring in 1988. Betty married Robert Belling in 1986.

She enjoyed crafting, playing cards, casino trips with her friends and traveling. Betty was a member of Faith Lutheran Church ladies circle, a former Sunday school teacher, a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star and Staples VFW.

Betty is survived by two sons, Rick (Kathy) Odden and Scott (Jean) Odden, all of Staples; four grandchildren, Kyra (Blaine) Quast; Bobbe (Brad) Anderson; Katie (Jerrod) Busker and Josh (Inga) Odden; three great-grandchildren, Aryn Ladd; Emily Ladd; and Keller Anderson; one sister, Dorothy Kyllingstad, Staples; one brother, Terry Kurpius of Wildwood, Fla.; one brother-in-law, John (Norma) Odden of Staples; two sisters-in-law, Marlene (Odden) Brevig of Mpls and Marilyn Kurpius of White Bear Lake; many nieces, nephews, step children and extended family.

She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, her parents, one brother, Robert Kurpius; three brothers-in-law, Donald Kyllingstad; Troy Odden and Robert Brevig; and one sister-in-law, Delores Odden.