Betty H. Birdsey

BETTY HELEN BIRDSEY was born on September 1, 1927, to Oscar and Alice Pederson in Luverne, Minnesota, where she was raised and attended school. She worked at Birdsey’s Bakery in Luverne from 1944 to 1947. On June 3, 1947, Betty married Ernest Birdsey. Following their marriage, the two owned and operated Birdsey’s Bakery for a few years until Ernie reenlisted in the Air Force. Ernie’s military career took them many places, and at each duty station Betty took pride in making their new house a home (Texas, Bellevue, Nebraska, Feltwell, England, Fairchild AFB (near Spokane, Washington), and Ellsworth AFB (near Rapid City, South Dakota). Ernie retired in 1967, and the couple lived in Cleveland, Minnesota for a few years before returning to Luverne in 1972, repurchasing the house they had lived in 20 years earlier as their first home. Betty loved being home and taking care of her family. On Monday, November 10, 2014, Betty died peacefully at home at the age of 87, surrounded by all five of her children, her surviving brother, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Betty and Ernie’s home was a hub of social activity. Betty loved hosting gatherings of family and friends to play cards, celebrate holidays, or simply chat over a cup of coffee. Very extroverted, she would strike up conversations with complete strangers. She also enjoyed gardening, backyard bird watching, crossword puzzles, playing bingo, and being active in her children’s lives, including serving as den mother for cub scouts. Although she did not graduate from high school, Betty was a life-long learner and was a font of information on a wide variety of subjects.

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her children, Vanessa Birdsey of Shakopee, Minnesota, Tracy Birdsey of Luverne, Garth (Belinda) Birdsey of Salisbury, North Carolina, Kristine Foslien of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Jan (Jack Spier) Birdsey of Cincinatti, Ohio; six grandchildren, Ben, Brook and and Matthew Birdsey, Cole Fundakowski, Graham Foslien, and Breanna Mulvihill; two great-grandchildren, Kameron Keene and Megan Westrum; and her brother, Russell (Sharyl) Pederson of San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; parents, Oscar and Alice; siblings, Joyce Rogness and Keith Pederson; and nephew, Mark Pederson.

Memorials are preferred to Good Samaritan Society (www.good-sam.com), which enabled Betty to remain living in her home.