Harry Bettermann, 76

Harry Vernon Bettermann, 76, passed away on February 25, 2012 in Branson, Missouri.

He was born in Douglas County on December 27, 1935. He grew up on a farm and attended country school in Garfield. He graduated from Brandon High School in 1954.

He was married to Joyce Wicklund of Kensington on March 23, 1963. They had two children, Gail Zollner and Brad Bettermann, both of Owatonna. He served in the Army for four years, parts of which were in Korea during peace time. He worked at Rap-in-Wax in Minneapolis, Land O’ Lakes in Alexandria, and, for nearly 30 years, he was in the drafting department at the Owatonna Tool Company/SPX of Owatonna.

Harry’s first church was St. John’s Church in Garfield. When he moved to Owatonna, he joined Redeemer Lutheran Church, and, then, Trinity Lutheran Church. He danced with the Do-Si-Do Square Dance Club, helped charter the Steele Steppers Square Dance Club, and old-time danced around Alexandria and Owatonna. He played tennis, and bowled for OTC, Hy-Vee, and in a retirement league. He grew hybrid roses and other flowers and loved sharing them with neighbors and friends. As a handyman, Harry remodeled houses, completed a van conversion, and built wooden toys. Driving on vacations and being with family played a big part of his life.

He is survived by his two children, Gail (Mark) Zollner and Brad Bettermann; four grandchildren, Rebecca, Lillian, Kassandra and Clint, all of Owatonna; three brothers and four sisters, LaVerne (Kenny) Wussow, Lester (Wanda) Bettermann, Willie (Hilda) Bettermann, Kenny Bettermann, Janet (Jim) Slater, Evie (Dave) Nordstrom, and Diane (Rich) Strong.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (Wicklund) Bettermann; parents, Henry and Irene (Zieglemann) Bettermann; brother, Donald Bettermann; and two sisters, Arlene (Richard) Buse and Delores (Carl) Buse.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, March 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. and at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church with The Rev. Julie Malone officiating. Interment will be at Oscar Lake Swedish Lutheran Cemetery in Farwell. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or The Steele County Relay for Life.

Arrangements are with Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc., 1930 Austin Road, P.O. Box 482, Owatonna, MN 55060; (507) 451-7943.

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