Betty Jean Litzinger , 88, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Monday, September 28, 2020 at her home in Grand Forks.

Betty was born June 27, 1932 in Halstad, MN. She was the daughter of Russell and Edith (Johnson) Rusdal. Betty attended her early years of school in Halstad and then moved to Grand Forks with her family where she attended Grand Forks Central High School. Upon completion of her education, she was employed at Woolworth's Variety Store in downtown Grand Forks. She married Bernard "Sonny" Litzinger on January 30, 1954 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks. Betty was self-employed for many years as a daycare provider, which she had in her home. She helped raise many children in her years of providing daycare. She also provided daycare for several of her grandchildren.

Betty was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church and St. Michael's Altar Society. Betty always enjoyed attending the Altar Society monthly meetings and made many lifelong friends there. She enjoyed having early morning coffee with her sisters-in-law, Lois and Faye. Betty was also on a bowling league for many years. She also loved to bake and made wonderful treats including lefse and most Norwegian goodies. When visiting on a Sunday, you would find Betty baking something for Sunday supper. Betty and Sonny would walk every day. Their regular route was from their house to Valley Middle School and back home. She also looked forward to spending the summers at their lake home at Pine Lake, near Gonvick, MN.

For all of us that knew and loved Betty, we know she was a devoted wife and mother. She was always encouraging and supportive to both her children and grandchildren. There is a special place in heaven for her.

We would like to extend a special thank you to Red River Valley Hospice.

She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Jim) Ford, Pine Lake, MN; her sons, Michael (Michelle) Litzinger, Gary (Shelly) Litzinger, David (Lynn) Litzinger and Rod (Barb) Litzinger, all of Grand Forks, ND; a brother, Robert (Naomi) Rusdal, Forsythe, MT; step-sisters, Ruby Frank, Fargo, ND, Janet Bjonstad, Grand Forks, ND, Mavis Gunderson, Dilworth, MN; a brother-in-law, Robert (Janet) Litzinger, Grand Forks, ND; sisters-in-law, Faye, Karen and Sue Litzinger; 6 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Sonny; an infant son, Rick, (1963) her parents; her step-mother, Christine; a step-brother, Allen Goshinska; brothers-in-law, William, Duane, Donnie, Jim, Allen, Gerald, and Ardell; sisters-in-law, Lois, Dorothy, Ann and Laverne; a niece, Haley Litzinger-Jenkins and a nephew, Steve Litzinger.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 2860 10 ^th Avenue N, Grand Forks, ND 58203 or to St. Michael's Catholic Church, 418 N. 6 ^th St. Grand Forks, ND 58203.

Services will be streamed live from St. Michael's Church. https://www.stmichaelschurchgf.com/live-stream

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2020 in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with a 5:45 p.m. rosary service and 7:00 p.m. vigil service in St. Michael's Catholic Church. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.
Burial: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.