Betty Engelhart

Betty Lou Engelhart, 71, of Fergus Falls, passed away on October 3, 2025 at the MN Veterans Home.

Betty was born on June 3, 1954 to Orville and Mary Ann (Neigel) Anderson in Fergus Falls. She attended grade school in Minot, ND and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1972. She went on to complete boot camp and signed a two-year active-duty commitment. She graduated with Honor of WAC Company at the US Army Medical Training Center, Fort Sam, in Houston, TX. She earned two medals, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Medal. In 1974 Betty was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard of Arkansas and Fergus Falls with the rank of SP6. She continued her nursing career in Fergus Falls, Missoula, MT (as a traveling nurse), and finally back in Fergus Falls at Lake Region Hospital and the Minnesota Veterans Home. She retired after 33 years of nursing.

She was a member of the Girl Scouts Troop 170 in Fergus Falls. She loved horses and completed two courses in 1969 at Berry School of Horsemanship and the National School of Animal Breeding. Betty was in many shows winning trophies, awards, and ribbons. She bought her hobby farm in 1996 and enjoyed living there for 26 years. She also enjoyed reading, baking, sewing, quilting, needle point, gardening, flowers, cats, dogs, peacocks, chickens, and country western music. Her favorite color was green.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Mary Ann & Orville; nephews, Daniel Anderson and Joe Anderson; and sister-in-law, Lori Anderson.

She is survived by her brothers, Orville Jr. (Elaine) Anderson of Rothsay, Jerome Anderson (Lisa Webster) of Fergus Falls, and Jeff Anderson (Melanie Spaulding) of Fergus Falls; sister, Shirley Koepke of Fergus Falls; sister-in-law, Karin Anderson of Fergus Falls; nieces and nephews, Sheri (Felipe) Peters, Bobbilynn Anderson, Sabrina (Cheeto) Toso, Samantha (Joe) Stodola of Erhard, Jon (Kristen) Anderson, Dennis Anderson, Debra (Nick) Winkler, and James (Jeremy) Anderson; cousins, Miles Anderson, Kathy Irish, and Lisa DeGreeff; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2025 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Father Lucho Palomino

Military Participation: Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and Fergus Falls American Legion Post 30

Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com