In Memory of Betty Riessen

Betty Riessen, age 86, of Battle Creek, Iowa, died Sunday, December 30, 2012, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton, Iowa.

                Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 4, 2013, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, Iowa, with The Reverend Randy Cormeny officiating.  Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Battle Creek.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m., at Christensen-Huffman Funeral Home in Ida Grove. 

                Born September 14, 1926, in Lake View, Iowa, Betty Jean Riessen was the daughter of William and Ella (Klindt) Albrecht.  She was baptized on January 1, 1927, and was confirmed in her faith on April 27, 1941.  Betty attended school in Galva and Early, and graduated from Arthur High School in 1943.  She enrolled in beauty school in Sioux City, then worked in beauty shops in Denison and Odebolt.

                On January 7, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to AlWayne Louis Riessen.  They lived south of Battle Creek where they farmed for 42 years and were blessed with six children:  Wayne, Jeanne, Richard, Lorelei, Marilee, and LaRayne.  In 1989, they retired and moved into Battle Creek.  Betty and AlWayne were married over 61 years before AlWayne’s death in 2009. 

                Betty was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Battle Creek where she participated in Ladies Aid.  She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, especially violets.  She treasured her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and attended as many of their activities as she could, including countless basketball and softball games.

                Left to cherish Betty’s memory are her six children, Wayne (Janene) Riessen, Jeanne (Daryl) Miller, Richard (Theresa) Riessen, Lorelei (Darwin) Rohlk, and Marilee (Marc) Lansink, all of Battle Creek, and LaRayne (Jerry) Miller of Danbury; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley (Wallace) Gonnerman of Odebolt; and a sister-in-law, Betty Albrecht of Fort Dodge.

                In addition to her husband AlWayne, Betty was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Thomas Miller; a great-grandson, Gage Stevens; two sisters, Marlene Fertig and Darlene in infancy; and two brothers, Lloyd and Melvin Albrecht.