Betty E. Watson

Watson, Betty E. of Golden Valley, MN. Betty was born October 13, 1934 and passed away on March 13, 2008. She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Robert; daughters, Rondi Watson, Maren (David) LaLiberty, Dina (Leon) Rogalla, and Shevaun Watson (Stephen White); grandchildren, Dylan Watson and Rowan White; and sister, Norma Durrett. Betty grew up in Chicago, the oldest daughter of Norwegian immigrants Hannah and John Onstad. She first attended college at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier and graduated from Illinois-Champaign Urbana in 1956 with studies in fashion design and communication. Betty and Bob moved to Minneapolis, and she began a career in Public Relations at Dayton's. After raising her beautiful daughters and pursuing graduate work at the U of M, she worked as a PR executive at Apache Corporation for 15 years. She served as an officer of the state chapter of the Public Relation Society of America and participated in a business exchange program to China in 1987. She was active with her husband in supporting the establishment of Voyageurs National Park, where she spent many vacations houseboating, camping and fishing. In her retirement, Betty worked at a social service agency coordinating senior transportation, and she traveled to Norway with friends. Betty shared a love of music with Bob, a longtime clarinetist, and she will be remembered fondly as an accomplished and enthusiastic cook for family and friends. Memorial donations for Betty can be made to the MS Society, 200 -12th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415. A memorial service will be held 11 AM Thursday, March 20 with a reception to follow from 12-2 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel 763-533-8643 5125 West Broadway, Crystal
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.