Alfred Betterley Jr.

Alfred Betterley Jr., 77, Sawyer, passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, in a Minot hospital.

Alfred Hilton Betterley Jr. was born Nov. 1, 1930, a son of Alfred H. Betterley Sr. and Cecile (Hutchinson) Betterley on the family farm located in El Paso Township of Pierce County, Wis. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1948.

Alfred married Irene P. Eckdahl Aug. 30, 1952, in Stillwater, Minn. They made their home on a farm near Stillwater where he worked as a herdsman on a large dairy farm. In 1956, they returned to the Betterley family farm in Wisconsin, and he had also worked at a sawmill. In 1957, they moved to Idaho, where he worked in the silver mines. In 1959, they returned to the Betterley family farm where he farmed until the death of his parents in 1970. In 1971, they moved to North Dakota. They made their home at various cities throughout North Dakota due to his employment at Porter Bros. as a heavy equipment operator. In 1998, they made their home in Sawyer and have resided there since. He retired in 2006, due to ill health.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting and yard work.

Surviving family includes: wife of 56 years, Irene, Sawyer; sons, Alfred Jeffrey (Paula) Betterley, Soccorro, N.M., Jonathan Wayne Betterley, Auburn, Wash., Kenneth Matthew Paul Betterley, Velva, Clifford Dale Betterley, Sawyer, Jason Dean (Becky) Betterley, Kalispell, Mont., and Dennis Jerome (Nancy) Betterley, West Fargo; daughters, Phylliss Marie Welstad, Silver Bay, Minn., Jeanne Louise (Cliff) Temple, Elgin, Okla., and Sarah Anne (Dana) Summers, Minot; 16 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia Mitchell, Athens, Ala., and Carolyn Walker, Ellsworth, Wis.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alfred was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Gene Welstad; and several brothers and sisters.

Memorial service: Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Porcupine Cemetery, Plum City, Wis.

Visitation: Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).