BETTY JEAN C. BESSE

Betty Jean C. Besse, 81 of Mesa, AZ formerly of Devils Lake and Starkweather, ND passed away on Monday evening, May 16, 2016 at her home in Arizona in the loving care of family and Hospice. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, May 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church, Starkweather, ND with Father Phil Ackerman and Deacon Steven Wirth celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the Assumption of Mary Cemetery, rural Starkweather. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Betty Jean Olson Besse blessed the family of Ida (Nord) and Ole J. Olson on April 26, 1935. She was the youngest of four children, brothers John, Carroll (Dorothy), and a sister Viola (Broderick). They all grew up working and playing on a farm near Cando, ND. Betty graduated from Cando High School in 1954. Betty married Denny Besse Nov. 5, 1956 in Cando, ND. They lived in rural Starkweather, ND where they started a large family of seven children. Years later they built in Devils Lake. Betty would spend hours outside gardening, helping with field work or hauling kids to sporting events and being a strong supporter. She was a women with many talents; she could whip up a huge batch of cookies to sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren. She waited tables, pumped gas, changed tires, planted and harvested a garden and did all the housework. A winter past time for her was bowling and playing cards with friends. She was a faithful catholic women and help out with many church functions. Betty was a true care giver. Throughout her life she cared for several including family members and working as a CNA at local nursing homes. Upon retirement Betty’s dream to move to warmer climate was achieved. She loved living in Mesa, AZ where she would garden, enjoy the fruit trees in the back yard and sit in the sun for the past nineteen years. Betty was taken into God’s loving arms May 16, 2016. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her strength was grounded in her family, and her love for them was deep and dedicated. She will be missed by her loving family and all who called her friend. Betty is survived by seven children and their spouses: Kathy & Irving Seelye, Deer River, MN; Bruce & Patty Besse Soldotna, AK; Alfred(Fred) & Ardie Besse Holyoke, CO; Bev & Tim Christopher, Breckenridge, MN; Donna & Steven Laturnus, Grand Forks, ND; Pam & Rick Hendrickson, Rothsay, MN; Jon & Rachel Besse, Devils Lake, ND. Grandchildren: Angela (Shawn), Earl, Wade (Tara), Naomi (Ross), Kathy (Dale), Lulu, Jodie (Nick). Heidi (Dennis), Gretta (Cory), Rachel (Curt), Tony (Kyla). Derrick (Stacey), Bridgett. Kayla (David), Kim (Shane), Karen (Aaron) Tim. Justin (Jess), Rebecca, Matthew. Emily, Alex. Ashley, Matthew. 29 Great-Grandchildren: Paige, Myles, Caleb, Kendall, Quinn, Lilly, Landon, Jace, Oakley, Deni, Andi, Codi, Jett, Nash, Graysen, Benson, Walter, Ilsa, Kaleb, Garett, Taryn, Owen, Alexa, Emma, Colton, Sadie, Easton, Rhett and Knox; sister-in-law Dorothy Olson Atlanta, GA and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Denny, parents Ole and Ida Olson, brothers John and Carroll and sister and brother-in-law Viola and Dan Broderick. Pallbearers will be Betty’s Grandsons Earl, Wade, Tony, Derrick, Tim, Justin, Matt and Matthew. Honorary Pallbearers are all of Betty’s Grandchildren.