Elizabeth Ann Mensing

ELIZABETH (Betty) ANN MACK MENSING, was born July 22, 1941, in Pine County, at Finlayson, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finlayson. There she taught Sunday School, Bible School and played the organ for many years.

Betty married Walter Fredrick Mensing on July 13, 1963, at the Immanuel Lutheran church, in Uiese, Minnesota. To this union two children were born. Drew Errol and Wade Aaron, (wife, Lori). She is the grandmother of Josie Erin, Ellie Kate, Cade Ryan and Phoenix Reid Mensing.

Betty was the youngest daughter of Leo and Sadye (Wiljakkala) Mack and sister of Evelyn Olson and Helen Olson.

Even as a young child, Betty insisted she was ready to go to Sunday School when she was barely three. She was in kindergarten for three years until she attained the age of five, the age to normally attend. After confirmation she taught Sunday School and Bible School and sang in the choir for several years. She was also the church organist. After graduation from high school she attended the university in St. Cloud, Minnesota before going to Minneapolis to begin a career in business.

Walt and Betty were married on July 13, 1963, in Giese, Minnesota at the Immanuel Lutheran Church when Walt returned home from serving his country. After honeymooning in Niagra Falls they made their home in Minneapolis.

In 1966 they relocated to Sacramento, California where she worked until their children, Drew and Wade were born. There they fostered children for several years. This was a love both Betty and Walt shared, a love for children that needed a home and loving care. The State of California did a study on their home as children they cared for developed into happy and capable individuals, overcoming many challenges.

Walt was transferred to Houston in 1976, where they lived until he retired in 1996. There Betty sang in the choir, played in the hand bell choir, and was a substitute Sunday School teacher. She volunteered for many organizations including the North Channel Assistance Ministry, which is sponsored by several of the local churches distributing food and other services to the needy in the community.. She voluteered in the food pantry there as well as doing much of the bookkeeping. Betty played an activè part in the sports programs which their sons participated in both at the school and the community level, managing the Little League concession stands for several years. She worked in the trucking industry as Terminal Manager for a car transport company until she retired.

Retirement enable them to travel to many of the places they had studied and dreamed of visiting.

Betty inherited a love for handwork from her mother Sadye, learning to knit and crochet before she could remember, as well as gardening, baking, cooking and home making. Quilting fulfilled her love for color and design, creating many of the quilt patterns she assembled for family and friends. Canning the rewards of Walt's vegetable garden was a thrill each fall.

After retirement Walt and Betty relocated to rural Huntsville, a life long desire as neither of them had been raised in the city. There they continued their many hobbies. Betty enjoyed working with a group of friends from FLW making quilts for the Lutheran World Relief. She also served twice as chairman for the Circle of Faith while being a member of FLW.

Son Wade was married in 1997 and presented them with three lovely grandchildren which she loved very much. Her dream was to see them grow into adults. Drew was instrumental in her care after her illness made her dependent on much needed assistance and guidance. She loved her family very much and prayed they would all meet again with their Heavenly Father.