Betty Rae VanMoorlehem

Betty R. VanMoorlehem, age 95, of Brainerd, Minnesota, formerly of Canby, Minnesota, died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Canby, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Canby. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Betty Rae VanMoorlehem was born Aug. 31, 1930, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Ethel (Swanson) Lund. Betty spent several of her childhood years with her Grandma Dale in Fort Dodge and graduated from Minneota High School in 1947. That same year, on Nov. 22, she married Elmer VanMoorlehem. Together they farmed near Minneota, Huron, South Dakota, and Canby, retiring in 1981 to their dream home in Canby. They later moved to Lebens Raum Apartments in 2019, and then to Good Samaritan Apartments in Brainerd to be near family in 2024. After Elmer, her husband of 77 years, passed away in June 2025, Betty lived with her daughter, Janice.
Betty was the heart of her home, dedicating her life to her family and teaching her children the values of hard work and getting along. 
She raised eight children and is survived by: Jim VanMoorlehem, Shell Lake, Wisconsin; Sandy (Tom) Lambert, Keller, Texas; Janice (Doug) St. Aubin, Brainerd; Doug (Sue) VanMoorlehem, Pipestone, Minnesota; Barb (Bill) Otterson, Goodyear, Arizona; Darlene (Ray) Gonnerman, Yelm, Washington; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Betty loved cooking, reading, spoiling her grandkids, and making sure dessert was never limited for them. Over the years, she enjoyed family vacations with several of her children. Creating memories, we will always hold near and dear.
A dedicated member of the TOPS Club and St. Peter's CCW. Betty started the CCW pie fundraiser, helping bake thousands of pies to support Catholic education. Her faith and love for family were constant; she prayed daily for those she loved, even as her health declined. On Nov. 7, 2025, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Betty VanMoorlehem, died peacefully at the age of 95.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; daughters, Peggy (Jeff) Athman and Brenda (Gary) Manes; grandson, Mark Lambert; granddaughter, Sheri VanMoorlehem; great-grandson, Brandon Strom; mother, Ethel Eacret; stepfather, Clarence Eacret; and siblings, Richard and Birdie Lund.
Betty's love, faith, and kindness will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
Memorials are preferred to St. Peter's Catholic School.