Betty Wiltgen

Betty Wiltgen passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at her home in Harmony, Minn., at the age of 93.

Betty Grace was born on May 8, 1927, the youngest of seven children born to Charles and Grace (Rathbun) Daniels in Ossian, Iowa.  Her time with her mother was short, as she suffered from tuberculosis and passed away when Betty was only nine years old.  Betty attended school in Ossian and graduated as salutatorian of her class. She enjoyed playing basketball during her high school years also.

On March 4, 1946, she married the love of her life, Walter Wiltgen in Ossian.  After a short stay in Rochester, Minn., the couple moved to the Harmony area, and this is where they would call home for the rest of their lives.  Here they would raise five children together. 

Walt and Betty owned the “Blue Bird” in Harmony where she would work on weekends.  She also was employed at HECO and was a teller at First Southeast Bank for many years. She loved to go dancing, enjoying waltz and polka.  Once the dancing was over the party didn’t stop.  She would invite family and friends to her home and fix breakfast in the early hours of the morning.  Betty was a wonderful cook, known for her snip candy, pickles, strawberry rhubarb jam, and those famous homemade donuts that her grandchildren so loved.  

Betty was an active lady who loved to play cards, especially 500 or Hand and Foot.  She enjoyed swimming and would join her friends for water aerobics at the Cresco Fitness Center.  You could find her making time to sneak in a round of golf at the Harmony Golf Course.  She loved spending time with her family and friends. 

Those left to treasure her memory include her children; Wayne (Mary) Wiltgen of Perham, Minn., Terrance (Sharon) Wiltgen of Rochester, Minn., Susan (Tom) Ehlen of Owatonna, Minn., JoAnn (Stephen) McBroom of Queen Creek, Ariz., and a daughter in-law Sharon Wiltgen of Gaylord, Minn.; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Walter in 2012, a son, Ronald in 2014; a great-granddaughter and her six brothers: Raymond, Donald, Lester, Walter, Robert and Chuck.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at Nativity Catholic Church in Harmony, Minn.  Friends may call one hour prior to services beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Canton, Minn. Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.