Betty Ann Inga Engelstad

She was born on the family farm in rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota on March 6, 1934, to her parents Edwin and Borgild Johnson. She was the youngest of eight children raised on the farm.

For first through eighth grade she attended Country School #280, then moved on to a boarding high school at the Northwest Agriculture School at Crookston. Attendance was late in autumn after harvest until early spring, when planting started. She graduated in 1952. While in high school, she met her former husband and the two were married in 1953. They divorced in 1971.

Betty retired from over 33 years of working in retail sales and management positions at Fred Meyer. In addition to her career, she also volunteered for more than 25 years for Operation Nightwatch – a drop-in center in downtown Portland for the marginalized members of the city. She was well known there for her chocolate cookies! She was also a very proud supporter for the Humane Society of Oregon.

Betty was also a lifelong churchgoer. Initially, she was a member of North Immanuel Lutheran in Pelican Rapids where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. Then, after moving to Portland, she first attended Gethsemane Lutheran, then St. Timothy Lutheran, and finally settled at Trinity Lutheran in Gresham.

Betty had fortitude. She navigated the rough times in her life as best as she could, including the death of her teenage son in a car accident. She made and maintained lifelong friendships, including her extended family members – she made successful efforts to maintain connection with the Engelstad side of the family. In her spare time, she loved traveling to visit her family and many friends, as well as reading, sewing, gardening, and baking chocolate chip cookies.

Betty will forever be remembered for her strong faith and belief, and for how much she cared for others. She was a consummate writer of letters, notes, and cards to her family and many friends.

She is survived by her daughters Patty, Paula (David), and Cynthia (Bob). Granddaughter Elizabeth, grandson Jason (Jennifer) and their children: Owen, Ellie, Bridget, and Kerris Ashley. Sister Elenora Tollerud and sister-in-law Virginia Brandt, both of Minnesota, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews of the following families: Johnson, Tollerud, Prim, Engelstad, and Carlson.

Charitable donations may be made in Betty’s memory to the Oregon Humane Society.

A funeral service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held on February 10, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church (507 W Powell in Gresham). A reception will follow the service at the church, and a private interment will be held at a later date.