Betty Ann Melquist of Dassel MN was called home to Jesus on the 9 th of March 2026; she was 92years young. Born in Staples MN September 4 th, 1933, to Edward & Frieda Yager. She loved to climb trees and play with her brothers outside; she was proud of being a little “tomboy” when she often reflected on her younger years. When moving to Howard Lake MN at the age of twelve she enjoyed living on the farm, picking raspberries, and above all else discovering her skills and love for gardening. Betty, during her senior year of school, found the love of her life Charles Melquist, they were united in marriage on a snowy day in May 1954, moving to Cokato to start a family of her own on the Melquist farm. Betty continued to work hard as a loving mother, a farmer’s wife, and of course creating the biggest garden she could! Charlie was diagnosed with MS, ending the career of farming in 1989 to a new chapter in a Cokato apartment while loving the factory job she worked for 10 years. After Charlie passed, she moved in with her daughter outside of Dassel MN. She spent the rest of her years very happy, hours upon hours in her garden talking to the Lord daily, crocheting/knitting blankets to give to her grandchildren and doilies to give away to loved ones. She continued working part time until the age of 80 and spent the next twelve years of retirement enjoying her Children, Grand Children, Great Grand Children and Great Great Grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed deeply.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Edward, Ralph and Donnie Yager, sister Dorothy Wysong, and sisters-in law Marge Yager and Gale Yager.
Betty is survived by her son Howard and Alan Melquist, daughter Debi (David) Gigly, brother Jimmy Yager, sister Shirly Kunze, grandchildren Kelly (Gary Veurink) Bemboom, April & Travis Bemboom, Adam & Johanna Melquist, Brady & Renae Melquist, Elysia (Stan Weibel) Hillmyer, Christy & Michael Holm, Kindralee & Aaron Munson, and Anne & Nathan Miller
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, March 20th at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato with visitation 1 hour prior and lunch to follow. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato 320 286 2534 swansonpeterson.com.
Livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/sUEgszepbL4?si=Uvpx9Oxa6MmE3kNV
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