Betty Ann Wangensteen

Betty Ann Wangensteen, age 91 passed away after a decline in her health on April 24, 2024 at Parmly on the Lake in Chisago City, MN.

Betty was born on 10/7/32 in Emerald, WI to parents Otto (Arnold) and Christine (Melby) Branden. In 1936 the family moved to New Brighton, MN and Betty remained a resident of New Brighton until just this past December when she was moved to Parmly for her comfort and care and to be closer to her children.

Betty was a long-time employee of Woolworth Company and then upon her retirement she was employed by Mounds View School District for many years.

Betty was a strong, independent lady that loved her family deeply. She loved nothing more than sharing harvests of her raspberries with others as the adopted grandma of her neighborhood. Her raspberry jam was divine!

Betty had a beautiful smile and was quick with her laugh. She had a zest for life and was a force of nature that could not be held back. She enjoyed being Santa at Christmas with picking up gifts, at a bargain, throughout the year. And that woman could walk! Betty participated in the 5K Walk for a Cure for many years up until she was 88 years of age, and many times would rather walk places rather than to drive.

Betty greatly enjoyed keeping the birds, squirrels, ducks and other of God’s creatures of her New Brighton neighborhood fed going through huge bags of seeds and corn each month. The squirrels, in particular, will miss Betty’s attention. And she was proud of her well-kept yard – no weed ever stayed long in Betty’s backyard!

She will be greatly missed by her entire family. She is survived by her children, Jim (Karen), Glenn (Diane) and Karen (Paul). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Hannah (Spencer), Jack (Lexi), Nate and Matt, her great-grandchildren Miles and Tyson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, daughter Carol, sisters Eleanore, Virginia, Wilma and brother Alton.

Our many thanks to the staff at Parmly (Isabelle’s House) and to Ecumen Hospice for the comfort and care they gave to her these past few months.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at The Gathering Place Lutheran Ministries, 3245 New Brighton Road, Arden Hills, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.