Larsen, Betty L.

Passed away on November 12, 2021 in Inver Grove Heights, MN.

Betty lived on the family farm near Hedville, KS until age seven when her family moved to Salina, KS. She was a graduate of Salina High School and Marymount College-Salina with a degree in dietetics. Betty met her future husband, Harlan C. Larsen, MD of Dickinson, ND while serving her dietetics internship in St. Paul, MN. They were engaged one month after their first date and married six months later. They were blessed with five children and 68 years of marriage until Harlan’s passing in December 2017. Harlan always referred to Betty as “my bride” and “my Kansas sunflower”.

Betty was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Dorcas Society and PEO Chapter AQ, where she was a charter member and past president. Betty was an avid bridge player. She enjoyed playing with her weekly Bridge Club and in tournaments. She was an excellent cook and loved entertaining family and friends, especially during the holidays. Betty’s interests also included sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, gardening and reading. In her later years she could be found watching the Smithsonian, History, Discovery and Science channels.

Betty is survived by her daughters Anne Kaldun of Inver Grove Heights, MN; Karin (Timothy) Carlson of Yakima, WA; Patricia (Robert) Johnson of Randolph, NJ; Martha (Paul) Rustad of Wayzata, MN; son Eric Larsen of Minneapolis, MN; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan Larsen; son-in-law Gary Kaldun; parents Philip and Henrietta; sisters Genevieve, Edna, and Hazel and brothers Howard, Robert and Thomas.

Per Betty’s wishes there will be no funeral or memorial service. A family graveside service and inurnment in Dickinson Cemetery is planned for both Betty and Harlan in the summer of 2022.

Memorials may be made to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Trust Fund, 146 6^th Ave W, Dickinson, ND 58601.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Timber Hills-Presbyterian Homes and Services and Optage Hospice for the wonderful care given to Betty in the final months of her life.