In loving memory of

Betty A. Happel
March 28, 1928 - July 8, 2018

Betty was born March 28, 1928 to Leslie and Bessie (Ellis) Struthers at Rolfe, Iowa. Betty was born on her grandmother's sixty-sixth birthday. She attended school at DMT Rolfe, Iowa, all twelve years and graduated in 1945. Her mother died when she was 15 years old, and her only brother, Ellis, was killed in the Philippines during the 2nd World War in 1945.

In 1946, Betty married Howard Stoddard of LuVerne, Iowa. They were blessed with two boys and two girls and lived in quite a few places. In 1977, Howard died of a heart attack and was buried in LuVerne, Iowa.

In 1979, she married Darel Happel of Bemidji, a friend who had lost his wife. They traveled south many years to Arizona and Texas. Darel died in 2006. Betty then moved to Baxter to be closer to her daughter Denise. Denise passed away with cancer in 2012.

Betty enjoyed going to the senior center in Brainerd and to the casino. Betty also did the baking at a girl's camp. She would bake all the cookies plus 300 sweet rolls on Saturday. Betty also worked as a cook in other places.

She is survived by her children, DeWane (Cathy) Stoddard of Big Stone City, SD, David Stoddard of Golden Valley, MN, Donna (Roy) Meador of Ankeny, Iowa; son-in-law, Jeff Koehnen of Brainerd, MN; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are her husbands, Howard Stoddard and Darel Happel; parents; brother, Ellis Struthers; daughter, Denise Koehnen; and daughter-in-law, Linda Stoddard.

Tributes

Gib Mouser wrote on Jul 30, 2018:

"We enjoyed knowing Darel and Betty. They lived across the street and we were able to spend a lot of time together talking about the "olden days" and sharing garden secrets. We will miss them both and know you will too. Our sincere condolences to you all, Gib and Judy Mouser "

Danielle Grove wrote on Jul 10, 2018:

"So blessed to have had the privilege to know Betty! She made each day a little brighter! She will be greatly missed by Many. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. "