Betty M. Russell, 75, Lake City

 Betty M. Russell, 75, of Lake City, died quietly in her home, Friday, August 21, 2015 with her daughters and close friend Michael Dobbe at her side after a two year struggle with cancer. Betty fought her battle with lung cancer and participated in drug treatments for cancer research with admirable courage and strength, keeping her wonderful sense of humor intact.
 She was born October 11, 1939 to Harold and Viva (Owen) Berner in Rockwell City, Iowa. She graduated from Rockwell City High School in 1957. On August 25, 1957 she married Jerold Patterson and they had six children; the couple farmed in Rockwell City. They later divorced. In August, 1971 Betty married John Noble. The couple and Betty’s children, along with John’s son made their home in Cherokee, Iowa. Their happiness was short lived, however, when John died of leukemia in November 1973. Betty later married Roger Lichtenberg, and the family made their home in Waseca and later in Worthington until Roger’s sudden death in 1982 of a heart attack. Betty then attended Rochester Vocational-Technical College and graduated with a diploma in the Human Services Technician Program, going on to work for the United Way. In March 1987, Betty endued the loss of her only son, Mark in a semi-truck accident. On November 5, 1988, Betty married James Russell and they made their home on Jim’s farm in Lake City. Her time with Jim in Lake City will be remembered by many of us as the “good ole days”, when there were many good times with family and friends, and Betty will be remembered for her wonderful and often infectious sense of humor. For 13 years she also worked part time at The Corner Closet. In 2004 Jim passed away from lung cancer. In 2010, she met Michael Dobbe and they became close companions. Mike remained at Betty’s side through her illness and was a great support and comfort to Betty and her daughters.
 Our Mom was very talented and creative, and she raised her five daughters to be strong and creative – each in their own way, passing on many of her talents. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed many of the dresses and clothes for her children when they were young. As her daughters, we were proud of the beautiful clothes our mother made for us- and our dolls. She would make doll clothes, doll houses, paper dolls, and even create playhouses for her girls, often out of scraps or remnants. Betty enjoyed gardening and in earlier years she often had a large vegetable garden from which she canned and froze the vegetables every fall. In her later years she had beautiful flower gardens and enjoyed bird watching. She loved to embroider, quilt and crochet; and crocheted many afghan blankets for her family and friends. She loved music, dancing and old movies, particularly Doris Day movies. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage and puzzles. Betty was active in many ways as a volunteer in her community and a member of several local ladies’ clubs. She was a member of the local American Legion and the VFW. Betty will be greatly missed.
 Betty is survived by her five daughters, Marsha Gathje of Lake City, Janet (Thomas) Lyons of Gunnison, Colo., Carla Freimuth of St. James, Peggy Rosik of Lake City and Brenda Patterson of Mapleton.; 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; her brother Harvey Berner; close nephew, Dan Good; close niece, Colleen Berner and her dear friend Michael Dobbe.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; John, Roger and James; her son, Mark Patterson; sisters, Lois Berner and Hallie Good; brother, Raymond Berner, granddaughter, Sylvia Freimuth; nephew, Ron Good and her parents.
 A celebration of life will be 1 p.m., Thursday, August 27, 2015 at First Lutheran Church in Lake City with Rev. Louise Stromberg and Rev. Duane Holst officiating. Interment will be at the columbarium of First Lutheran Church. A visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m. with a time of sharing at 5:30,Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the church, the VFW Post 8729 or to cancer research of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com