Elizabeth A. Melhus

Betty was born December 16, 1917 on her grandparents farm in Chisago County, MN. Her family moved to Superior when she was 12. She graduated from Superior Central High School in 1936 and from the St. Luke's School of Nursing in 1939. Betty worked as an RN in private duty, then at St. Mary's Hospital and for the St. Louis County Public Heath Department.

In retirement Betty and husband Ray enjoyed many wonderful years dividing time between winters in Phoenix, AZ and summers at her cabin on Whitefish Lake in Gordon, WI. They returned to Duluth from Arizona in 1996 and continued with summers at the lake.

Betty was an active member of Chester Park United Methodist Church for 63 years. While raising her children Betty was a sunday school teacher, scout leader, and PTA member. She was also an active member of the Duluth Woman's Club. She enjoyed playing golf, quilting, needlepoint, reading, entertaining, and playing bridge.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Wilhelmina (Bergwall) Hammerbeck; her husbands, Donald R. Morton and Raymond T. Melhus; daughter, Alice Morton Morris; brothers, Glen and Karl Hammerbeck and sister, Alta Moe.

She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Morton-Pearson (Dick) of Mendota Heights, MN, Marilyn Melhus of Duluth; son, Mark (Nancy) Melhus of Duluth; granddaughters, Heather (Dylan) Baron of Minneapolis, Maren (James) Hoyer of Edina and Maren (Lars) Leafblad of Roseville; grandson, Christopher (Kate) Melhus of Somerville, MA; great-grandchildren, Bergen, Anika, and Ingrid Leafblad, Nora and Hazel Melhus, and Jack Hoyer; brothers, Herman (Kay) Hammerbeck of Superior, John (Lavonne) Hammerbeck of Billings, MT; sister, Margaret Doig of Duluth; sister-in-law, Mary Pat Hammerbeck of Billings, MT; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of caregivers at St Luke's Hospital for the wonderful care Betty received through each phase of her illness.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Service Thursday June 14, 2012 at Chester Park United Methodist Church, 819 N. 18th Ave. East. A luncheon will immediately follow at the church. Donations preferred to: The St. Luke's Hospital Foundation, The Duluth Woman's Club or donor's choice. Please leave a memory of Betty or words of support to www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com