The funeral service for Elizabeth “Betty” Etzell, 94, Valley City, North Dakota will be 10:30 am Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Woodbine Cemetery, Valley City. She passed away Tuesday, September 7, at Mercy Hospital with her family by her side.

Elizabeth Sophia Rasmussen was born April 8, 1927 in Steele County near Luverne, North Dakota, the daughter of Niels and Orva (Bertram) Rasmussen. Betty was confirmed at the Luverne Lutheran Church. She grew up on the farm near Luverne until the family moved to Valley City when she was 15. Betty attended and graduated from Valley City High School in 1945. She worked for Leegard’s Garage in Valley City until she was united in marriage to Melbourne Etzell on March 20, 1946 in Valley City. They made their home near Rogers, North Dakota for 13 years before moving back to Valley City. Betty baked at The Post Restaurant and the Bus Depot for many years. Melbourne died on September 14, 2013.

Betty made many wedding cakes throughout the years. She also enjoyed crafts and was a member of the Barnes County Homemakers Club 74 years. Betty has been a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church since 1942.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter Melody Hetland, and son-in-law Larry Hetland; a grandson Justin Tangen; and a brother Ernest Rasmussen.
Betty is survived by her children Roger (Loretta) Etzell, Greenville, Ohio and their family Sonja Etzell, Elizabeth (Andrew) Murray and sons Connor and Landon, and Christopher Etzell; Melody and Larry’s children, Darren Hetland, Kristi (Dario) Molina and Andrea Hetland; Lynnette Carol, Seattle, Washington and her family Jonathan Wicks, Stefan (Melinda Barsales) Wicks; Jolene (Dave)Watanabe, Edmonds, Washington and their family Steven Watanabe, Christopher Watanabe, and Rachel Scout Watanabe; Leah (Todd) Tangen, Kathryn, North Dakota and their family Michael (Sidney) Tangen and son Tucker, and Jake Tangen.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com and where the funeral can be seen live streamed. The family request that masks be worn while attending the visitation and service.