Betty Spence

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Betty Ann Spence (Larson), age 83, of Stacy, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Wealshire of Medina, surrounded by loved ones, on May 16, 2021.  Betty was born in Forest City, Iowa, on October 20, 1937 to Clifford and Ruby Larson.  She grew up in Scarville, Iowa, and graduated in 1955, continued her education at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and completed business college.

Betty married Patrick Spence, Sr. in June of 1959.   While living in St. Paul, they had 4 children: Michael, Patrick Jr., Dennis, and Shannon. They shared many memories together at their lake home on Sand Lake, WI, prior to moving to Stacy, MN in 1974. Betty moved to Wealshire Memory Care Center in 2018.  She was a member of Sunnyside Lutheran Church in Linwood Township. Through the years, she was a Den Mother, Campfire Girl Leader, a dedicated volunteer at Fairview Hospital in Wyoming, and PAI where she brought “Comet”, her dog, for therapy visits.  Betty had a special spot in her heart for animals, especially for dogs and cats.  She donated plasma, whenever called for special emergencies. She enjoyed holidays and special events with family and getting together for meals, going to the kids sporting events, attending class and family reunions, playing poker with her girlfriends, trips to the casino, cooking, annual lefse making, sewing, doing yardwork, reading, listening to music, going on bus tours, traveling, visiting, singing, bonfires, puzzles, movies, and adventures like riding on motorcycles, skydiving, whitewater rafting, and ziplining. She retired from Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company in St. Paul after 17 years of dedication in the billing department. She was proud of her family, always offering positive words of encouragement.

She is preceded in death by parents; daughter, Shannon; grandson, Matthew; ex-husband, Pat; and several special pets.  She is survived by children, Mike, Patrick (Loni), Dennis (Margie); grandchildren, Megan, Sean, Mitchell; brother, Roger (Pat); nieces; nephews; cousins; other family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.  The family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial at Linwood Cemetery, following the service.