Betty Gail (Cornelius) Carl, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2014, at her home in St. Michael, MN with her daughter, Sherlyn, holding her hand. Celebration of Life Memorial Services for Betty will be held at The Legacy of St. Michael in St. Michael on Wednesday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. and at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton, SD on Saturday, October 4, 2014 with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service and then inurnment in the Sisseton Cemetery.
Betty was born April 21, 1932 in New Effington, SD, to Elmer Andrew Cornelius and Agnes Christine (Pearson) Cornelius. She was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Lutheran Church in New Effington and graduated from New Effington High School. On February 7, 1950, Betty married Don Curtis Carl in New Effington. Over the years, they made their home in various towns including New Effington; Hecla, SD; Britton, SD; Elbow Lake, MN; and Lake City, SD.
Betty was a member of the Lake City Lutheran Church, the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Auxiliary Unit #50, and the Order of the Eastern Star, and volunteered with various organizations. She enjoyed playing bridge and belonged to bridge clubs in Britton and Elbow Lake. Betty worked at the First National Bank in Hecla for several years and then transferred to the Britton branch. In 1975, Don and Betty purchased the Clear Lake Resort near Lake City and embarked on a 20-year journey during which time they made many near and dear friends at the resort. Betty always enjoyed cooking for others and was famous for her Sunday dinners, sour cream raisin bars, potato salad, and especially for her delicious caramel rolls.
Don passed away in 2003 and Betty continued to make her home in Lake City. In 2010, she moved from her beloved South Dakota to live closer to her children. For the past four years, Betty resided at The Legacy of St. Michael where she was active in The Legacy choir, loved playing weekly Bingo, and was always ready for a friendly game of Kings in the Corners or Yahtzee.
Betty is survived by one son, Don C. (Laurie June) Carl, Jr. of Mound, MN; two daughters, JuvaLee (Donald) Wolf of Eagan, MN and Sherlyn (Jeffery) Anderson of St. Michael; six grandchildren: Christina Carl, Angela (Grayson) Carl Baker, Laura (Nick) Wolf Carlisle, Joshua (Danielle Mazer) Anderson, Christopher (Heather) Anderson, and Carlyn Anderson; one great grandchild, Payton Jean Anderson; and foreign exchange student "daughter" Lone (Frank) Gade and children Frederik and Johanne of Bedsted, Denmark. She is also survived by two brothers, Eugene (Irma) Cornelius, Mesa, AZ; Gerald (Barbara) Cornelius, Watertown, SD; one sister, Avis (Orville) Schultz, Watertown; brothers-in-law Douglas Carl, Sisseton, SD, Wayne (Bev) Carl of Waconia, MN and sisters-in-law Marian Cornelius of Crystal, MN; Darlene Olson, Karen Nerison, and Betty L. Carl of Sisseton; and Marlene Carl and Sandra Carl of Watertown, along with numerous nieces, nephews and their families and her furry canine friend, D.O.G. In addition, she made many friends at The Legacy including her card partner, Tom Routhe, and her personal care assistant and honorary granddaughter, Shaina (Lincoln) Hofmeister and children, Kingston and Jagger.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Agnes Cornelius; her husband of 53 years, Don C. Carl, Sr.; one son, Duane Don Carl; one grandson, Shannon Curtis Carl; parents-in-law Leonard and Margaret (Yeager) Carl; brother Howard Cornelius; sister Elaine Cornelius; brothers-in-law Gordon "Ole" Olson, Claude Carl, and Terry Nerison; sister-in-law Esther Carl, and two nephews, James Schultz and Gerald Cornelius, Jr.
The family suggests memorials be directed to the American Legion Auxiliary, the Salvation Army, the Aberdeen Area Humane Society, or to the donor's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Sherlyn Anderson, 10170 44th Court NE, St. Michael, MN 55376; Juva Wolf, 2130 Sapphire Lane, Eagan, MN 55122; or Donnie Carl, 945 Maple Crest Drive, Mound, MN 55364.