Betty L. Riehl

Betty L. Riehl, age 93, of Preston, Miin., died on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, Minn.

Funeral services for Betty will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, with Pastor Kris Hertsgaard Kincaid officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the start of the service at the church on Saturday.  Betty will be laid to rest at the United Methodist Cemetery in Preston.  In memory of Betty, memorials may be given to United Methodist Cemetery Preston, Gundersen Harmony Care Center, or St. Croix Hospice.

Betty Lou Bjortomt was born on April 22, 1931, youngest child of Martin and Alma (Osterhus) Bjortomt in Fillmore County, Minn.  In 1949, Betty graduated from Preston High School.  On January 27, 1956, Betty married the love of her life, Donald “Buzz” Riehl. The couple made a life for themselves in Preston, eventually buying the family farm where Buzz grew up. This became a Century Farm under their loving and caring conservation.  Betty was a telephone operator in Preston, and held the title of chief operator before her retirement.

Together, Betty and Buzz loved to travel.  They spent over 30 years wintering in Yuma, Ariz., always stopping to watch the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas on their way. The couple also enjoyed family trips up to Canada fishing, and reminiscing about their trip to the Holy Land.  Betty liked taking trips to the casino, watching dirt track racing, and going out to eat with family and friends.  She was a Minnesota Gophers football fan who enjoyed taking her nieces and nephews to games.  Betty was proud to be crowned the 2024 Valentine’s Day Queen at Gundersen Harmony Care Center, and enjoyed riding on their float and waving to the crowd at the 4th of July parade.

Betty is survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, husband Donald on March 16, 2023, her siblings Ruth (Arden) Sikkink, Reuben (Betty) Bjortomt, Verna (Glenn) Hahn, LaVonne (Stanley) Wold, and Norman Bjortomt; four nieces, and one nephew.