Betty Joyce Vos

BALATON–Betty Joyce Vos was born on November 12, 1937, to Albert and Valborg (Christensen) Olsen at the family home in Aetna Township, Pipestone County. The family farm was located near Ruthton, Minnesota, where Betty graduated from the Ruthton High School in 1955. While growing up, Betty was baptized on December 12, 1937, at the Hope Lutheran Church in Ruthton, where she was later confirmed on April 29, 1951. On February 3, 1956, shortly after graduating, Betty was united in marriage to the love of her life, Melvin Vos, in Tyler, Minnesota. Together the couple lived in the Ruthton and Woodstock, Minnesota, area and welcomed seven children. While the kids were growing up, Betty wore many hats. She was a homemaker, a daycare provider for many years and was a bookkeeper for Vos Trucking in Florence, Minnesota. Betty was employed by Schwan’s Food for over 10 years. She retired from working in 2001.

During her retirement years, Betty enjoyed baking and will always be remembered for her ‘Grandma Betty Buns’. She was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Ruthton, where she was on the Social Committee and was a part of the St. Marks Circle. Betty also enjoyed spending time working diligently on puzzles, reading and watching TV. Everyone knew not to bother her while Wheel of Fortune or when polka dancing was on. Betty always made sure to stay connected with her family and friends with her cell phone. Her family was the center of her world, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were frequent visitors in her home. Every holiday was celebrated with lots of good food and laughter. Summer holidays were spent gathered outside for cookouts. Betty always made sure her home was decorated for each season, especially for fall. She also loved a good game of Scrabble – owning at least four Scrabble dictionaries and played monthly with the DDU Card Club. Betty passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Lakeview Senior Housing in Balaton, Minnesota, at the age of 87 years, 10 months and six days.

Betty is lovingly remembered by her children, Gary Vos of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Mike Vos of Lake Benton, Joyce (Mike) Garrow of Ruthton, Minnesota, Susan Stensgaard of Florence, Minnesota, Karen (Dave) Keifer of Tyler, Minnesota and Dale (Julie) Vos of Ruthton; grandchildren, Kristy (Joe) Ebbers, Jon (Angie) Vos, Dan (Holly) Vos, Cade (Abbie) Wurster, Eric (Laura) Wurster, Kyle Stensgaard, Jackie (Brian) Cludy, Josh (Stacy) Keifer, Jordan Keifer, Bobbie (Brian) Lensing, Charlie (Jason) Vos, Kaitlin (Zach) Vos and Emily Vos; great-grandchildren, Lydia, Madelyn, Nataley, Owyn, Payge, Quentyn, Renay, and Symon Ebbers, Elliott, Corbitt Vos, Gracie, Cash, June, Hank, Clayton Vos, Hudson, Jameson, and Jack Wurster, Colby, Candace, Emery, and Easton Wurster, Madelyn and Benjamin Cludy, Leah and Hailey Keifer, Carson, Bentley, Samuel, Sawyer, and Camden Lensing; siblings, Alice (Dan) Mikel of St. Paul, Minnesota, Helen (Gary) Jorgensen of Arco, Minnesota, and Nancy Greenfield of Balaton, Minnesota; in-laws, Beva Vos, Beverly Vos, Marian (Paul) Everett, Marlene (Charlie) Jorgenson, Linda Vos and Lynda (Paul) Steen.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Vos; infant daughter; granddaughters, Alicia Vos and Megan Stensgaard; parents, Albert and Valborg Olsen; sister, Carol Remme; daughter-in-law, Diane Vos; son-in-law, Randy Stensgaard; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bill, Eddie, Marvin Vos, Dallas and Margaret Bruemmer, Art and Betty Fritz, Janet and Jack Hook, Marlo Remme and Kenny Greenfield; and several nieces and nephews.