Elizabeth “Betty” Margaret Gensmer

Obituary

Elizabeth “Betty” Margaret Gensmer was born on September 14, 1921, on the family farm near Hutchinson, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Johann George and Karen (Petersen) Petersen.   Betty was baptized as an infant, on November 24, 1921, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth, on August 13, 1933, both at Danish Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She attended a one room country school near her home through the eighth grade, and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1939. She continued her education at the School of Agriculture University of Minnesota in St. Paul and received her Associates Degree in Agriculture in 1941.

On June 15, 1947, Betty was united in marriage to Edmund Paul Gensmer at Faith Lutheran Church (formerly Main Street Lutheran) in Hutchinson. Betty and Ed resided in Hutchinson the first four years of their marriage before moving to a farm in rural Hutchinson, which they owned and operated for many years. This marriage was blessed with three children, Charles, Daniel, and Karen. Betty and Ed shared 43 years of marriage until Ed passed away on March 9, 1991.

In addition to being a loving wife and homemaker, Betty was a member of the McLeod County Homemaker’s Group and was an active adult leader of the Bear Lake Beavers 4-H Club. She was also a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and served as a member of Women’s Guild.  When Betty wasn’t volunteering her time, she worked at Dooley Greenhouses and also Del Farm in the bakery.

Betty was devoted to farm life, she loved nature; she loved watching and feeding the birds. She also enjoyed being outside tending her flower and vegetable gardens. She also enjoyed cooking and baking; her homemade pies were a highly prized item at the annual Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Fundraiser.   Betty loved animals, especially cats and dogs. Betty loved watching movies and listening to classical music. Some of her favorite movies were “Dr. Zhivago” and “Out of Africa”. She cherished the time spent with her grandchildren, family and friends.

Betty passed away on Monday, August 8, 2016, at Hutchinson Health Hospital in Hutchinson, Minnesota at the age of 94 years.  Blessed be her memory.

Betty is survived by her:
Children, Charles Gensmer and his wife, Judy of North Oaks, MN,
                  Daniel Gensmer and his wife, Karen M. Gensmer of Hutchinson, MN,
                  Karen E. Gensmer of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Thomas Gensmer, John Gensmer, Benjamin Gensmer, Ann Rohlfing,  Rachel Johnson, Sarah Hague;
5 Great Grandchildren;
Numerous Cousins, relatives and friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her Parents, George and Karen Petersen; Husband, Ed Gensmer.