Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 35808 County Road 66, Cross Lake, Minnesota, Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a private visitation for the family from 9:00 to 9:45 and a public visitation at the church from 10:15 to 11:00. Lunch will be served after the church service and burial will take place at 5 PM at Mission Township Cemetery.

Betty was born in Minneapolis, MN to Erling and Mildred Eide on March 4, 1924, attended North High School, and married Jim on April 25, 1942. She spent the war years in the states of Washington and California while Jim served as a pilot in the Army Air Corp. After the war she returned to Minnesota and lived in Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Crystal before moving in 1981 to a lake home in Merrifield, MN on Mission Lake. She was an avid reader, devouring as many as five books a week. She loved the challenge of completing the daily crossword puzzle and relished in Scrabble scores in the 300's. She had a knack for contests, winning both a car and a pickup truck. Bingo, pull-tabs and slots gave her a thrill. She prided herself in being able to play as many as 20 bingo cards at a time. Some elderly people are intimidated by technology, not Betty. She was always eager to own and use the lasted electronic gizmo.

Betty spent her life devoted to her husband and nine children. She sacrificed and cared for them her entire life. She is survived by Jim and their loving children, Cathy (Pat) Branch, John (Karen) Kelly, Linda (Steve) Sather, Joe (Sue) Kelly, Tom (Mary Jo) Kelly, Jennifer (Greg) Berger, Peter (Diane) Kelly, Mary (Greg) Plasencia, and Michele (Rick) Erickson; nineteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; sister Mary Lou Oslund; brother Roger Eide; sister-in-law, Loretta Gavin; brother-in-law, Mike Kelly; and many nieces and nephews.

The family extends its sincere gratitude to the loving and tender care Betty received from the staff at Bethany Good Samaritan.

Donations preferred in lieu of flowers to Bethany Good Samaritan, 800 Wright Street, Brainerd, MN 56401 or Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Arrangements entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.

Published in the Star Tribune from 7/19/2007 - 7/21/2007.