Glen Bettenhausen

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Church of Christ in Nevis, MN. SURVIVORS : Dona (Jerry) Skinness, Akeley, MN, Larry (Connie) Bettenhausen, Venice, FL, Glenda (Dan) Mason, Mason City, IL, David (Barb) Bettenhausen, Pasadena, MD and Debbie (Steve) Sileven, Tucson, AZ; 11 Grandchildren and 21 Great-grandchildren. GLEN BETTENHAUSENJune 21, 1919 ~ February 15, 2013 Glen was born on June 21, 1919 in Princeton, Nebraska. He was the middle child of five boys born to Arnold and Anna Bettenhausen. Glen was the blonde haired boy that everybody loved and had many wonderful memories of growing up on their Nebraska farm. Glen graduated from Hickman High School in 1937. Glen married Lorain Birdie Barnett in Hickman, Nebraska on June 22, 1940. They were blessed with six children: Dona (Jerry) Skinness, Akeley, MN, Larry (Connie) Bettenhausen, Venice, FL, Glenda (Dan) Mason, Mason City, IL, David (Barb) Bettenhausen, Pasadena, MD and Debbie (Steve) Sileven, Tucson, AZ. Another son, Rodney died in a bicycle accident at age 9 in 1961. He leaves 11 Grandchildren and 21 Great-grandchildren. One grandchild, Carl Bettenhausen, lost his life at age 27 in New Orleans, LA. Glen served in the Marines during WWII and fought in Iwo Jima. He never spoke much regarding the war except to say that he vowed that his life would be different if he got out of his fox hole. Meanwhile in Lincoln, NE, a little congregation of the Church of Christ was taking Lorain, Dona and Larry under their wing. Glen told her to stay with those people and when he returned home they gave their lives to the Lord. Glen soon took his family to Searcy, Arkansas and enrolled at Harding College where he prepared himself for the ministry. He served churches in Nebraska, Minnesota and Arizona. He was instrumental in the foundation of York College in York, Nebraska, serving as the first chairman of the board. In his later years, he and Lorain spent several happy years as caretakers at Flaming Pine Youth Camp near Togo and Cook, Minnesota. Glen and Lorain semi-retired to Arizona to serve with churches in Oracle, San Manuel and Tucson and lived close to Debbie and her family. They moved back to Willmar, MN from Arizona in 2003 to be near Dona and Jerry. Lorain suffered a stroke and was in Bethesda nursing home in Willmar the last 6 years of her life. Glen faithfully visited her almost every day until her death in February 2010. In the fall of 2011, the Lord presented the perfect place by Chamberlain, MN for Jerry and Dona and their three dogs to move to and bring Glen with them. His last year and a half were spent enjoying the view of the woods, holding Gracie, their small poodle, in his lap and being near Brian and Stacey, his grandson. He loved hearing Brian's music, both at the house and at Terrapin. His final year he enjoyed excellent help from St. Joseph's Hospice program. He was a very peaceful and contented man, trusting God throughout his life.