Betty Lou Schaller

Betty Lou Schaller was born on March 27, 1925 in Brooten, Minn., the daughter of Silas and Amy (Everson) Swenson. She was born prematurely at home, weighing only three pounds. Betty was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in 1939, graduated from the Brooten Public Schools in 1943, and was active in music and 4-H.

She attended the University of Minnesota where she was one of the first women allowed to participate in the marching band (trumpet). After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1947 she taught music in Starbuck and Little Falls, Minn., and later in Shaker Heights.

Betty was a singing and dancing member of the traveling Hormel Caravan from 1953 to 1954. During that time, she met Byron Schaller. On Aug. 7, 1955, she was united in marriage to "Bud" in Brooten, Minn., lived in Shaker Heights, and soon settled in Chester Township.

She was an active member of the Hobby Club, Bridge Club, Welcome Wagon, Garden Club, and the Community Church of Chester Township, where she directed the handbell choir, jr. choir musicals, and served 30 years as choir director. She was instrumental in beginning the Geauga Jr. Choir Festival. During the summers, Betty and Bud enjoyed their summer home at Lake Amelia in Minnesota.

In 1956, she was selected as a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus with director Robert Shaw. She was also a member of the Ohio Music Teachers Association, teaching piano for 50 years in the area, and 19 year member of the Western Reserve Concert Association and very active in the Chester Township Bandstand programming.

Betty was very proud of her Scandinavian heritage. She was an active member of VASA, joining the Nobel-Monitor Lodge on Oct. 8. 1989 and directing the VASA Voices for many years. She was also a member of the Swedish Cultural Society, serving as Cultural Leader, and the Sons of Norway. In April 2004, Betty received the award of merit from the Swedish Council of America for outstanding contributions.

Survivors included her daughters, Lauren (Phil) Wrona, Christine (Byron) Knutson, and Suzanne "Annie" (Turi) Solu; grandchildren, Paul Wrona, Amy and Carl Knutson, and Cameron, Nicholas, and Connor Solu; brother, Dr. Robert (Carol) Swenson; brother-in-law, John Berglund; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron E. "Bud"; parents, Silas and Amy (nee Everson) Swenson; and sister, Marjorie Berglund.

Memorial Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road in Chester Township.

Service and Inurnment at a later date in Brooten, Minn., where the family had a summer lake home.