Betty R. VanMoorlehem, age 95, of Brainerd, MN formerly of Canby, MN, died peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Canby, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Canby, MN. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.
Betty Rae VanMoorlehem was born August 31, 1930, in Fort Dodge, IA to Ethel (Swanson) Lund. Betty spent several of her childhood years with her Grandma Dale in Fort Dodge and graduated from Minneota High School in 1947. That same year, on November 22, she married Elmer VanMoorlehem. Together they farmed near Minneota, Huron, SD, and Canby, MN, retiring in 1981 to their dream home in Canby. They later moved to Lebens Raum Apartments in 2019, and then to Good Samaritan Apartments in Brainerd, MN to be near family in 2024. After Elmer, her husband of 77 years, passed away in June 2025, Betty lived with her daughter, Janice. Betty was the heart of her home, dedicating her life to her family and teaching her children the values of hard work and getting along. Betty loved cooking, reading, spoiling her grandkids, and making sure dessert was never limited for them. Over the years she enjoyed family vacations with several of her children. Creating memories, we will always hold near and dear. A dedicated member of the TOPS Club and St. Peter’s CCW. Betty started the CCW pie fundraiser, helping bake thousands of pies to support Catholic education. Her faith and love for family were constant; she prayed daily for those she loved, even as her health declined. On November 7, 2025 our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Betty VanMoorlehem, died peacefully at the age of 95. Betty’s love, faith, and kindness will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
She raised eight children and is survived by Jim VanMoorlehem, Shell Lake, WI; Sandy (Tom) Lambert, Keller, TX; Janice (Doug) St. Aubin, Brainerd, MN; Doug (Sue) VanMoorlehem, Pipestone, MN; Barb (Bill) Otterson, Goodyear, AZ; Darlene (Ray) Gonnerman, Yelm, WA; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer; daughters Peggy (Jeff) Athman and Brenda (Gary) Manes; grandson Mark Lambert; granddaughter Sheri VanMoorlehem; great-grandson Brandon Strom; mother Ethel Eacret; stepfather Clarence Eacret; and siblings Richard and Birdie Lund.
