Betty Alsaker

Betty Jean Annette (Ronholdt) Alsaker passed away peacefully on Monday, August 12, 2024.  She was 87 years old.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Cheryl Berg as the officiant.  Music will be provided by LeAnn Bjornson and Tim Ostby.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton.  Pallbearers will be Steve Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Jon Johnson, Jerry Schultz, and Roger Schmidt.

Betty was born in rural Kerkhoven Township, near Sunburg, Minnesota, on January 16, 1937. She was the daughter of Alvin and Helga (Simonson) Ronholdt. Raised on a dairy farm outside Sunburg, Betty went to country school through 8th grade and then attended high school in Kerkhoven, Minnesota, where she graduated in 1955. During her childhood, Betty relished time spent with her sister Connie, family and neighbors. She learned Norwegian as a child and had to be reminded during her early school years to speak English. In school, she was involved in music, theater and speech. She also was active in 4-H and Farmer's Union camps in Minnesota and Colorado. Her youth was a cherished time in her life.

After high school, Betty attended St. Olaf College, graduating in 1959 with a degree in English and minor in library science. Like her mother Helga, Betty had a knack for teaching. She began her career in Wheaton, Minnesota, in the fall of 1959, teaching junior and senior high English. It was where she would remain her entire teaching career. Shortly after arriving in Wheaton, Betty met her husband, Dale Alsaker. They were married on July 2, 1961. Betty and Dale lived in rural Wheaton where they raised two children while Dale farmed and Betty taught English for 36 years. During her teaching career, Betty also directed plays, served as district librarian, and was the high school speech coach for most of her career. In 1977, Betty was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Aside from teaching, Betty was a talented vocalist, singing at numerous weddings, funerals and community events over her lifetime. Upon her retirement, Betty became a GED instructor, helping area residents obtain their high school diplomas, and she helped establish Wheaton's community education program to teach English as a second language. She was very active in her church, and occasionally preached at churches in the area in need of temporary pulpit supply. She and Dale enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona.

Shortly after retiring, Betty was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In her typical determined fashion, Betty refused to let it affect her, and she lived well with the disease for many years. Eventually, however, the disease won out. Betty entered the Traverse County Care Center in May 2023, and she remained there until her death.

Betty is survived by her husband, Dale; children, Karen (Jeff) Wallevand and Marshal (Lisa) Alsaker; grandchildren, Berit (Noah) Harvey, Erik Wallevand and Sydney Alsaker; sister, Connie Benson; brother-in-law, John (Jody) Alsaker; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; and her brother-in-law, David Benson.