Obituary
Guest Book
Bette Geiselhart was born on August 21, 1939, at Saint Mary's Hospital to Syverin P. and Loretta (Matzke) Nelson. She attended Trinity Lutheran School until eighth grade and graduated from Rochester High School in 1957. She received her LPN at St. Mary's Hospital and took the trip of a lifetime to Los Angeles with friends where she worked at Saint Frances Hospital.
Bette loved the ocean, the mountains and all the palm trees. It was there she met her future husband, a wonderful man, Larry. They decided to move back to the Midwest after marriage to raise their children, Eric and Michelle. She worked at Olmsted Medical Center for almost forty years spending much of her time in obstetrics.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Eric. She is survived by her husband, Larry; her daughter, Michelle (Monty) Bates; grandchildren, Taylor Bates, Alicia Bates, Chloe Bates, James Geiselhart, and Jessica Geiselhart; and sister, Janet (Henry) Dison.
A memorial service for Bette will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 21, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church (222 6th Ave SW Rochester, MN) with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, MN.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Geiselhart family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5421 Royal Place NW 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more