Betty Lou Gjere, 82, of Mabel, died Monday, September 13, 2021, at Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel, Minn., surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with myasthenia gravis. Betty Lou Blagsvedt was born at home near Lanesboro on December 24, 1938, to Elmer and Minnie (Nelson) Blagsvedt. Betty was a graduate of Mabel High School, Class of 1957. On July 18, 1959, she married Donald Paul Gjere of rural Spring Grove. The two were united in marriage at Mabel First Lutheran Church. To this union, four children were born: Michael, Mark, Debra and Brian.
Betty was a lifelong Mabel resident and worked various jobs focused on bookkeeping. She worked at the Tastee Freeze, Midway Café, Mabel High School, Ford Motor Garage and Dorene Lee Accounting. Betty spent the majority of her life keeping books for Gjere Construction. Betty was an active member of Mabel First Lutheran WELCA and Mabel Lions Club where she held various offices. Betty took pride in the leadership role she held as Steam Engine Days Queen Committee for several years. Betty enjoyed spending time with family and hosted many family gatherings including Christmas Eve (also her birthday) for several years. Betty and Don spent several winters together in Mission, Texas. Betty enjoyed shopping with family, looked forward to her weekly hair appointments and an occasional gambling trip.
Betty will be missed by her husband of 62 years, Donald; their four children: Michael (Linda) Gjere, Mark (Beth) Gjere, Debra (Myron) Hirsch and Brian (Shelby) Gjere, all of Mabel, Minn.; their six grandchildren: Tyler (Erin) Gjere, Morgan Gjere, Christina (Jordan) Goeden, Melissa (Blaine) Coyle, Brayden and Brogen Gjere; and six great-grandchildren: Trevin, Sawyer and Aubrey Gjere, Devyn and Carson Coyle, and Oliver Goeden.
Betty is also survived by her siblings Ordell (Charmaine) Blagsvedt, Carroll Blagsvedt, and Eunice (Robert) Ellis; and her in-laws Curt (Linda) Gjere and Larry Geving, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Kenneth Blagsvedt and in-laws Pat Blagsvedt, Lela Blagsvedt, Charlyne Blagsvedt, Dean and Rita Gjere, and Lois Geving; and grandson Jesse Gjere.
Memorial service will be 11 a.m., Monday, September 20 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel. Lunch will follow. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday, September 19 at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Mabel First Lutheran Church.