Betty Mae Bonestroo was born on March 7, 1946 to Henry and Frances (Plasier) Bonestroo. She attended the Hull Christian School K-8 and graduated from Boyden-Hull High School in 1964.
On June 25, 1964 she married Virgil Vandestouwe. They had 2 children: Bryan Dean and Kevin Jay.
In 1982, Betty moved to Minneapolis, MN and was first employed at the Marquet Hotel. For 3 years she worked in the linen department and later became the one who freshly squeezed all the orange juice for the hotel. After she finished there, she went to the deli department at the MN Athletic Club for the next 7 years. Her last job was working at the Target Corporate Headquarters, being the best coffee barista they had, until she retired in 2014.
Betty took a lot of pride in her work, herself, and also boosting other’s spirits while speaking highly of them. She was always willing to go the extra mile to help others, whenever she could.
It was at her very first job that she met the “Love of her Life,” LeRoy Byzewski. They made their forever-home together in NE Minneapolis, in the year of 1988.
Betty absolutely adored the Boundary Waters. LeRoy first introduced Betty to the Boundary Waters when they went on a vacation with his extended family. The Boundary Waters would become her favorite place to visit, whenever vacation was discussed. She often talked about its majestic beauty and peacefulness.
Betty’s #1 priority was ALWAYS family. They came before anything else. She loved and cared deeply for: LeRoy, her children and grandchildren, siblings, nephews and nieces, family, and her friends. She was always empathic and wanted to be that person that would lend a hand to those that would need it.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Frances Bonestroo; brother-in-law, George Friedel and sister-in-law, Noreen Bonestroo.
Betty is survived by and will deeply missed by her lifetime partner, LeRoy Byzewski; sons, Bryan Vande Stouwe (Carol), Kevin Vande Stouwe (Sarah); grandchildren, Travis Vande Stouwe (Alexandra), Brad Vande Stouwe (Amber) Jered Kiers (Emma), Mitch Kiers (Jen), Donavon Balaski (Kayla), Mathew Vande Stouwe (Taylor), Dennis Vande Souwe (Ella); great-grandchildren, Audrey, Jacob, Elliot, William, Mitch Jr., Elias, Olivia; and siblings, Earl Bonestroo (Ardis), Diane VanBemel (Rainer), Cliff Bonestroo (Marge) and Glynis Friedel.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home, 2250 St. Anthony Blvd NE, Minneapolis, MN 55114.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5