Betty Lou Goebel, 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Sept. 20, 2024, at Cura Care Center in Melrose. Betty Lou passed away three days shy of 66 years of marriage to Victor.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with the Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Entombment was in the parish cemetery.
Elizabeth Dolores Bussmann was born Sept. 12, 1940, in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, to Bernard and Elizabeth (Wenker) Bussmann. On Sept. 23, 1958, she was united in marriage to Victor Goebel at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Betty Lou and Victor started farming together on the Goebel family farm north of Freeport and then purchased their own farm south of Freeport as a couple in 1962. They continued farming there, raising 10 children until retiring in 1990. Betty Lou and Victor moved to Freeport and then worked part-time cleaning the community center after special events. Betty Lou also did private cleaning for many years.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich, Christian Mothers and Catholic Order of Foresters. After moving to Freeport, she became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She was also part of the local mission group and loved playing cards. Betty Lou was very involved with her children in the Pelican Peak 4-H Club for many years. She enjoyed gardening, bowling, square dancing and traveling, especially casino bus trips and mystery tours. She also enjoyed quilt-making. Betty Lou made quilts and blankets for the children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Victor; children Kevin (Sharon) Goebel of Freeport, Glen (Lori) Goebel of Park Rapids, Lyle (Teri) Goebel of Minnetonka, Don (Sarah) Goebel of Cloquet, Judy (Karl) Klaphake of Melrose, Jean (Bill) Kollodge of Rice, Todd (Michelle) Goebel of Swanville, Dennis (Lisa) Goebel of Rockville, Denise Goebel of Freeport and Loren (Carrie) Goebel of Freeport; 29 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; siblings Doris Peterson of Melrose and Bernard, Jr., (Tillie) Bussmann of Melrose; and sister-in-law Darlene Bussmann of Melrose.
Betty Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Elizabeth Bussmann; sisters and brother Anna Mae, Cecilia, Bernice, Lorraine, Rita and Edward; and granddaughter Amy.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Freeport.
