Karlstad – Betty Jane Vevea, 81, of Karlstad passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at Sanford Hospital, Thief River Falls with her loving husband at her side.
Funeral Service was on Monday, April 30, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Betty Jane Kooyer was born May 17, 1936 at Physicians Hospital in Thief River Falls, the daughter of Victor and Blanche (More­house) Kooyer. She was baptized on April 14, 1938 at the Methodist Church in Thief River Fall by Pastor Cooke. Betty attended school in Superior, WI.
On November 3, 1957, Betty was united in marriage to Norman Vevea in Mason City, IA. They made their home in Madison, WI and eventually moved to East Grand Forks, where Betty was confirmed on May 20, 1962 at First Lutheran Church. She worked at Wy’s Gardens and enjoyed being home with her children.
In the mid-1960’s the family moved to Minneapolis for a short time before returning to Grand Forks, ND. Betty worked on the grounds and floral gardens at the University of North Dakota and R.B. Griffith’s. In the mid-1970’s the family moved to the state of Washington where she worked and enjoyed floral design. In the mid-1980’s, Betty went to school for property management and worked in the Chicago area, southern Minnesota and Las Vegas. She received national recognition and was very proud of her work.
In 2008 Betty remarried Norman Vevea and they made their home in Kennedy and later in Thief River Falls and Karlstad.
Betty enjoyed crocheting, beading, working with flowers, reading, good old-time music, dancing and especially enjoyed time with her kids and grandkids.
Survivors include her husband, Norman; children, Charlene (Chris) Byng, Janine (Douglas) Davidson, Anita (Scott) Anderson; grandchildren, Benjamin Davidson, Jessica Davidson, Lindsey Larson, Sean Larson, Kelsey Anderson, Adam Kooyer, Brian Kooyer, Zachary Vevea; several great-grandchildren; brother, Ray (Carolyn) Kooyer; sisters, Barbra (Earl) Granroth, Doris (DeWayne) Rindahl and Debbie Schiefert; aunt, Dorothy Morehouse; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sons, William “Billy” Vevea and Glenn Kooyer; daughter, Linda Vevea; siblings, James Kooyer, Richard Kooyer, Donald Kooyer; sister, Shirley Wiskerchen; uncle, Walter Morehouse.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com A00003B2018MY02