Doris N. Betker

Obituary

Doris was born on April 20, 1918, in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to Albert and Elizabeth Prieve. She was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Doris' early school years were spent attending District 58 Country School and later became a graduate of Hutchinson High School in 1936.

On May 15, 1937, she married Clifford L. Betker at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Cliff built their first home on Lynn Road. In 1941, the year of the big snow storm, building homes was next to impossible. They moved to San Diego where Cliff worked in Construction at the General Dynamics Plant. They stayed there until late 1942, but when the war became more threatening, they moved back to Hutchinson and resided on a small farm North of town. They shared 41 years of marriage until the passing of Cliff on November of 1978.

As a building contractor’s wife, Doris worked side by side with him. In 1953, he built the 7 Hi Motel and in 1954, he built the Garden Supper Club, both of which they managed for several years. Her working resume consisted of many jobs besides the motel and restaurant business. She worked at J.C. Penneys, Green Giant, Tulmans, HTI Cafeteria, and through the Green Thumb program worked at West Elementary, Park Elementary, the Charter School and Hands.

She was very creative and enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, sewing and made the best homemade bread. Mom said her life time was good and filled with hard work, travel, fun and sun. Much of the 1970's were spent going back and forth between Hutchinson and Florida where they owned the Sunset Bay Motel in Englewood, Florida. In the late 80's she resided permanently in Minnesota.

Doris is survived by her
Children, Gene Betker and his wife, Barb of Darwin, MN,
                  Mark Betker and his wife, Marcia of Hutchinson, MN,
                  Paul Betker and his wife, Jan of Hutchinson, MN,
                  and daughter Linda Betker of Hutchinson, MN;
Sister, Phyllis Moquist of California;
Sister-in-law, Judy Prieve of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Bryan Betker and his friend, Lori Graphenteen, Josh Betker, Jacob Betker and his wife, Dana, Joseph Betker, Kristopher Betker and his wife, Vanessa, Jonathan Betker and his wife, Danielle, and Kari and Eric Gehrke;
Also blessed with four Great Grandsons; five Great-Granddaughters;
Niece, Laura Salmela of Dassel, MN,
Nephew, Major Richard Prieve of Virginia;
three nieces and five nephews in California.

Doris is preceded in death by her Parents, Albert and Elizabeth Prieve; Husband, Cliff Bekter; Sister, Shirley Chapek; Brother-in law, Larry Chapek; Brother, John Prieve; Brother-in-law, James Moquist; Sister and Brother-in-law, Virginia and Russel Betker; Brother-in-law Earl Betker.