Funeral services for Betty Ann Laufer, age 89, of Hettinger, ND, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Assembly of God Church in Hettinger, ND. Rev. Allen Wickstrom will officiate with a private family burial.

Visitation will be at the Assembly of God Church on Friday morning, May 13, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. until the start of the service at 1:30 p.m.

Betty Ann (Nelson) Laufer, age 88, a resident at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger, ND, went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2016. She was born on September 20, 1927 to Harlow and Helen (North) Nelson. Betty lived her entire life in the Hettinger area. She attended country school and graduated from Hettinger High School. Following her graduation, she taught one year at Chandler, a rural school south of Mott, ND.

On October 22, 1946, Betty was united in marriage to LeRoy Laufer and to this union was born three daughters and one son. They farmed and ranched north of Hettinger where she delighted in gardening and taking care of her flowers. She prepared many wonderful meals for family, friends and hired help. Her children fondly remember the delectable aromas filling the house from those delicious, warm, whole wheat caramel rolls or the moist custard bread pudding she would have ready for them when they walked in the door from school.

After moving to Hettinger, Betty worked at Hettinger Hospital in the laundry and for Forthun's Greenhouse. A very important part of her life was working as a volunteer at the Onion Patch and Clothes Closet. She made crocheted kitchen hand towels, quilts and afghans. Every child, grandchild and several great-grandchildren have a variety of these treasured items. She was very proud of all her grand and great-grandchildren and was excited to watch them as they discovered their special talents.

Betty is survived by her children, Sandra (Ray) Stegner, Ft. Collins, CO, Connie (Otto) Schwarz, Wayne (Joan) Laufer and Sharon (Craig) Silkman, all of Hettinger, ND; one brother, Howard (Sandy) Nelson, Hettinger, ND; and one-sister-in-law, Juliana Skogen, Hettinger, ND. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, Jeremy Stegner, Lydia and Hannah, Merino, CO, Michelle (Stephen) Kenworthy, Daniel, Paul, Isaac, Abby, Aaron, Zach, Kaitlynn and Levi, Tucson, AZ, Kevin (Kristin) Stegner, Emma and Beau, Parker, CO, Cory (Candace) Schwarz, Milo, ND, Becky Schwarz, Boxelder, SD, Chuck (Melissa) Schwarz, Jackson and Logan, Josh Schwarz, all of Hettinger, ND, Shelly (Kirk) Hall, James and Kaden, Edgemont, SD, Clinton Silkman, Lincoln, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; her parents; and her brother, Richard Nelson.


Betty was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; her parents; and her brother, Richard Nelson.

A memorial has been established.