Betty Johnson

Funeral Mass for Betty Lou Johnson, 78, of Killdeer, will be 12:00 p. m. , Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Killdeer, with Father Darnis Selvanayakam, celebrating assisted by Father John Pfeifer. Burial will follow in Grassy Butte Cemetery. Visitation for Betty Lou will be from 9:00 a. m. to 11:00 a. m. , Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer, with a rosary and celebration being held at 9:30 a. m. Betty Lou passed away Thursday, June 30, 2011 at her home on the Lazy Tee Jay Ranch west of Killdeer, surrounded by her family. Betty Lou Lanphear was born February 1, 1933 in Killdeer, ND, the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Blackburn) Lanphear. She grew up east of Grassy Butte and attended Scoria Butte Elementary. She went on to graduate from Model High School. After graduation, she attended Dickinson State Teachers College where she received her teaching certificate. Betty Lou taught for three years in Dunn and McKenzie County Schools. On December 26, 1952, Betty Lou married Milton Johnson in Grassy Butte. After working at several McKenzie County ranches they then moved to the Grassy Butte area where they ranched from 1957 to 1974. In 1975, Betty Lou and Milton moved to the Lazy Tee Jay Ranch west of Killdeer where they have made their home since. Betty Lou was very active in the community serving as an officer of the St. Peter Altar Society, Treasurer of the Historical Society, member of the Grassy Butte Committee Club, Ranch Creek Homemakers and a long-time 4-H leader of the Sagebrush Wranglers. Betty Lou and Milton were named McKenzie County Family of the Year and Betty Lou received the Dunn County 2007 Friend of 4-H award. Betty Lou also served on the Board of the Hill Top Home of Comfort. In 2010, Betty Lou and Milton were Grand Marshalls of the Killdeer 4th of July Parade. Betty Lou will be remembered county wide for her hospitality, Nurturing and enriching qualities, as well as her cooking abilities, Especially her caramel rolls, buns and brownies. She also made beautiful quilts that her family and friends have enjoyed. Betty Lou was an avid seamstress,loved to spend time crocheting and was known to fix the haying machinery. Betty Lou is survived by her husband, Milton of Killdeer; daughters, Fayleen (Tim) Fischer, of Killdeer and Nanette (Todd) Edmondson of Sweet, ID; five grandchildren Kristle, Lacy, Dani (Brian), Britney (Tyler) and Paige; four great grandchildren, Ty Johnson, Lily Grace, Jace Dakota and Finley Leen; three brother-in-laws, Bob Olson, Duane (Betty) Johnson, Clayton (Idella) Johnson; two sister-in-laws, Joyce Lanphear and Dorothy Foell and extended family Verna (Ken) Kadrmas and family, Al (Wendy) Luckow and family and Jeff (Erin) Anderson and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Margaret Lanphear; a daughter, Milody Johnson; two brothers, Lyndon and Hugh Lanphear; two sisters, Wanda Olson and Dorothy Rebson and one sister-in-law, Blanche Bang.


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Burial Date: July 5, 2011
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Mass: Tuesday: St. Joseph’s Cathlic Church, Killdeer, ND