September 2, 1925 - May 9, 2018
Born as Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Walters to Elliot and Mildred Walters on September 02, 1925, in Durand Township, Wisconsin. She was their first child and the first grandchild for Richard and Ruth Walters, who lived on the farm across the road.
She was called Betty but her school friends nick-named her “Bets.” Some time in her youth she had her name legally changed to Betty. She attended a one-room country school through fourth grade. When she was nine years old, they moved into town, Betty attended the public schools and graduated from Durand High School in 1943. She played French horn in the school band for six years and sang in the school and church choirs.
After High School she moved to San Fransisco for awhile, working for the railroad. She ended up in Iowa, where she was introduced to John “Jack” Ersland, her friend's brother.
On June 4, 1947, Betty and John “Jack” Ersland were married in the Congregational Church parsonage at Durand. Their first home was in Ankeny, Iowa, where their daughter was born, later their first son was born in Des Moines. In 1953, they moved West to Phoenix, Arizona, where her youngest son was born, and in 1975 they moved to Glendale, Arizona, where she spent the rest of her life.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Jackie (Bob) Wilder; and her son, Paul (Conni) Ersland; grandchildren; Brian (Belinda) Fernandez, Marc (Stephanie) Fernandez, Josh Wilder, Carri Ersland and Joe Ersland; numerous great, and great great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews; and a host of loving friends, all of whom were very near and dear to her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John “Jack” Ersland; son, David Ersland; parents, Elliot and Mildred Walters; sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Joseph Schlumpf.
Betty loved dogs and had many throughout her life. Every Saturday she would eat her lunch watching Pets On Parade, and donated often to the Arizona Humane Society.
The family would also like to thank Hospice of the Valley and Vienna Care Home for their loving care and compassion during this time.
A Celebration of Life reception will be held on May 26, 2018 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betty's name to the Arizona Humane Society (http://www.azhumane.org/get-involved/give-now/memorial-and-tribute-gifts/) or to Hospice of the Valley (https://www.hov.org/donate/).
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