Betty L. Haggstrom

1930 - 2023

Betty Lucile (Peterson) Haggstrom, 93, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Encore Senior Living in North Branch where she resided for almost 11 years.

She was born in Portland, Oregon, on April, 8, 1930 to Einer Adolf and Edith Junett (Forsberg) Peterson. She was raised on a farm in Stanchfield, which she dearly loved. She attended Charles A. Lindberg Elementary School in South Maple Ridge, and then Marshall High School in SW Minneapolis. She graduated in 1947, and married Warren Haggstrom later that year. Their first child, Richard, was born in 1948.

In 1952 she entered the University of Minnesota, and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956. This was followed by a Master's Degree from the U of M in Library Science in 1958. At that point, she began working at the Minneapolis Public Library in the Science and Technology department.

Due to Warren's career, they moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where daughter Valerie was born in 1960. They then moved to Syracuse, New York, where she and Warren were involved in Civil Rights activism. Betty also marched for women's rights. Son Erik was born in 1962, and daughter Karin followed in 1965. After living briefly in California, they moved to Cambridge in 1968.

Apart from raising a family, her favorite job was as Assistant Director at the Cambridge Library. Betty was an avid reader, and held a large personal collection of favorite books. Her many interests included nature, history, politics, economics, arts and crafts, and fiction. Betty learned Swedish as a child in her home. She was very proud of her Scandinavian heritage, and loved all the celebrations in the East Central area over the years highlighting the immigrant roots. She shared many happy memories of holiday activities and other special events at her school and the Lutheran church she was confirmed in. Growing vegetables was a passion, and Betty was pleased with being part of the Master Gardener Program.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, close cousin Harold Forsberg and his wife Jean, former husbands Warren Haggstrom and Ingvar Bowman, and daughter-in-law Karen Newton.

She is survived by her children, Richard Haggstrom, Valerie and Bill Koski, Erik Haggstrom and Terri Fanasele, and Karen Meadows and Paul Herberman. Grandchildren are Kimberly and Andy Luchsinger (who have Cora and Oliver), Katelyn and Dan Magadanz, Kenneth Koski and Diane Stewart (who have Luka), and Kyle and Laura Koski (who have Claire), Mason Pittman, and Maya Pittman.

The family wishes to express gratitude for all the love, support and prayers from friends, relatives, and caregivers at Encore Senior Living and St. Croix Hospice.

A Memorial Service for Betty will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Grandstrand Funeral Home, 6580 Main Street, North Branch with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow starting at 12:30 to be held at the Chisago County Community Center (38790 6th Avenue) in North Branch.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Grandstrand Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Branch. Condolences may be expressed online at www.grandstrandfh.com.