William F. Bettermann

William “Will” Frank Bettermann was born to Henry and Irene Bettermann (Ziegelmann) on the family farm between Garfield and Brandon on September 27, 1937. He was one of eleven children. He attended country school in Brandon Township and graduated from Brandon High School in 1955. After high school, Will joined the Army determined to be the best soldier he could be. He served from March 2, 1956 – February 27, 1959, and was stationed in Germany. After being honorably discharged he returned home to the family farm.

A friend of Will’s stopped by one day and asked him to go to The Cities with him as he wanted to look for a job. So, Will agreed and ended up getting a job as an elevator attendant with Honeywell. He also attended night school for mechanical drafting. While living in The Cities Will began dating Hilda Haabala and they married in November 1962. After the birth of their first child, Cynthia Marie, they decided to move back to the Brandon area to raise their daughter. They purchased a 70-acre farm where they raised crops, vegetables and milked cows until 1972. Will also drove milk truck on weekends and worked part-time as a draftsman at Alexandria Extrusion to help make ends meet. During this time, they had another child, Randall Lee.

After selling their farm, they built their home in the woods near Big Chippewa Lake, NE of Brandon. He started working for Bellanca Aircraft as a draftsman and was promoted to manufacturing engineer. Alexandria Extrusion was where Will worked the longest.... 30 years until his retirement on 12/31/1999! He started out as a part-time draftsman and then as the company grew, he was promoted to Human Resource Manager. Also during their working years, Will & Hilda purchased a variety store in Brandon which they operated for a couple of years in the early 80’s.

Community service was an important part of Will’s life. He was an active member of Kiwanis, the West Central Initiative Board, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, United Way Board, Gideons and also volunteered with Product Alternatives. Baptized and confirmed @ St. John’s Lutheran Church in Garfield, he continued to have a very strong Christian faith throughout his life and was active in the Lutheran Church. Politics was also a large part of his life, and he was very active in the Republican Party.

During their 60 years of marriage, Will and Hilda loved to travel with family and friends. They travelled to 45 of the 50 states and to Europe three times. They also travelled thousands of miles to attend sporting events, concerts, plays, and other activities that their grandchildren participated in.

Will passed away on November 2, 2025, at Edgewood Alexandria. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Hilda, parents Henry & Irene Bettermann, 7 siblings, numerous brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, three nephews and 1 great-niece. He is survived by his daughter Cindy and husband Chad Frederick of Westport, MN; son Randy & wife Stacey Bettermann of Brandon, MN; 8 grandchildren: Mandy Frederick, Jacob (Ashley) Frederick, Jordan (Madison) Frederick, Kristine Bettermann, Jeremiah (Miranda) Bettermann, MaKayla Schiele, Elizabeth (Daniel) Dickerson, Keagan Schiele; great grandchildren: Alexander Frederick, HèKhani Bettermann, KhéLhani Bettermann, Elowynn Dickerson, Parker Barrow-Frederick, Devin Kaeding, Logan Kaeding, & Hunter Kaeding.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

A visitation will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 4-7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Anderson Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery in Garfield, MN.