Elizabeth "Betty" Stacken

1937 - 2025

Elizabeth Cordelia Stacken, nee Kirsch, age 87, died on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at New Perspective of Waconia with her family by her side.

Elizabeth was born on Dec. 26, 1937, to her parents Elvira and Othmar Kirsch. She was the first child of six children, and raised on their farm in Laketown Township. Betty attended St. Joseph's Catholic School and graduated from Waconia High School. It was there that she and Joe Stacken started their life journey together. Betty and Joe were married on Aug. 24, 1957, at St. Joseph's Church in Waconia. They were blessed with four children: Jeanne, Connie, Chris and Brian.

Betty stayed home early on to care for her family. Later on when her children were older, she worked at Midcountry Bank as a loan officer.

Betty loved spending time with family and friends. Special memories include family vacations, traveling and playing cards with neighbors, family and friends. Betty and Joe later became snowbirds living in Tucson, AZ which they enjoyed immensely. Some of Betty's hobbies were gardening, golfing, reading and fixing jigsaw puzzles.

Betty was a very loving wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma (Gigi). She was always there for her children and enjoyed all family gatherings. She loved to help them with their home projects, playing cards and games, having grandchildren sleepovers, and spending time with her family.

Her Catholic faith was very important to her. Betty was a dedicated and life-long member of of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and participated in various activities of the parish. She also volunteered at the local food shelf and Once Again shop in Waconia.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Joseph; her parents Elvira and Othmar Kirsch; brother Neil Kirsch; sister-in-law and spouse Margaret (Eugene) Willems; brothers-in-law and spouses Roman (Grace), Cyril (Valeria), Edward (Virginia), Henry (Mary Ann), Charles (Phyllis), Harold, Art (Gertrude), James Stacken; sister-in-law Carolyn Stacken; brother-in-law Jack Lucy; father and mother-in-law Hattie and Henry Stacken Sr.

Betty is survived by her loving children Jeanne (Brett) Anderson of Waconia, Connie (Joel) Wyttenhove of Minnetonka, Chris (Tim) Schwendeman of Lake Park, Brian (Jodi) of Duluth; grandchildren Jen Anderson, Mike Anderson, Kelly (John) Simon, Zack (Marissa) Wyttenhove, Kacey (Dustin) Hruby Wyttenhove, Alex (Angela) Schwendeman, Erik Schwendeman, Monica Phipps, Lowry (Bennett) Goltz, Breanna Symens, Bryce Symens; great-grandchildren Livi Phipps, Bryn Goltz, Avery Simon, Emmett Hruby Wyttenhove, Lovelle Wyttenhove, Diego Wyttenhove. Betty is also survived by her brother and sisters and their spouses Ken (Marie) Kirsch, Mary Ann (Robert) Miller, Pat (Lonnie) Haase, Sue (Dean) Winkleman; sister-in-law Diane Kirsch; brother-in-law Paul (Pat) Stacken; sisters-in-law Sister Stella Stacken, Darlene (Harold) Matti, JoAnn (Giles) Lenzmeier, Lucy Lucy, Adeline Stacken; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at New Perspectives for Betty's care as a resident and during her hospice care; Grace Hospice staff, Ridgeview Medical Center, and Bluestone Medical.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waconia. Gathering of family and friends at the church begins at 10:00 a.m. and interment at the church cemetery will follow after the Mass.

Please consider donations to your local food shelf in lieu of flowers.