Betty Orud

Services are for immediate family only, due to restrictions on gatherings, we are providing HeartStrings, our online sympathy message where you can upload a photo and write a note or share a memory that will be printed and given to the family. Please click here to send your support.

Betty Jane Orud (nee Moje) peacefully went home after hearing the Lord’s Prayer, January 29th to join her beloved husband Gerald Orud, her parents Henry and Etta Moje, in-laws Ludvig & Cornelia Orud, her brother Edwin “Bud” (Myra) Moje, her sisters Adeline (Clarence) Schroer, Edna (Earl) Seehusen, and Dorothy (Les) Folkerts, and her cherished great-granddaughter Clementine Brown. She is survived by her children, Diana (Richard) Kasa, Bruce (Patricia) Orud, and Karen (Tim) Matthees; her grandchildren Chris (Kirstin) Kasa, Eric (Heather) Kasa, Rachel (Tommy) Lofgren, Meghan (Joshua) Drivdahl, Adrienne (Jason) Betchkal, Rebecca (Jeff) Brown, Laura (Will) Coleman, Heather Matthees (Tim Davis), and her delightful great-grandchildren Niklas, Elise, Savea, Justin, Evan, Tommy, Miles, Joshua, Konur, Alma, Francis, Penelope, Gabriel, Maja, Emma, Piper & Audrey.

Betty began life as the youngest of 5 on the family farm near Danube, MN where she enjoyed peaceful exploration of God’s creation, teaching and an active life in her church and community. Her most joyful adventure was family, as Betty and Jerry settled in the Midway area of St. Paul and then moved to St. Paul Park. Betty worked hard at home with their three children, and at Montgomery Ward’s Department store in St. Paul; all the while supporting Jerry in his career at NSP’s garage. Betty took public busses, until out of necessity as the children were growing up, she was comfortable driving in the city. Betty enjoyed long family road trips, stopping to visit roadside oddities on the way to see family and friends throughout western and northern MN. She even encouraged all of Jerry’s hunting and fishing adventures on Mille Lacs Lake and beyond.

At the age of 93, Betty lived a long life full of love and family. In the 25 years since the loss of Jerry, Betty has been the most kind, caring, fair, and beloved matriarch of the family. Her “blooming” as an elder has been a wonderful example to us all. Grandma/Great Grandma was always the guest of honor at any family event and she was so very proud of her entire family.

As a grandma and Great-Grandma, Betty was the best! She was amazing, loving each and every new child as they joined our family. She had the knack of always making you feel as if you were the most special, loved, and important person in the world. She was always interested in what was going on in your life.

Betty was always prepared for guests, who were never allowed to go hungry when visiting. She always had sandwiches, sweet treats and a hot pot of coffee at the ready. Betty had a large network of friends from all around Minnesota, including the “Andrew’s Sisters” a special group of women at church. Betty had a vibrant social life, loved meeting with her friends, sharing her faith in God, and occasionally watching Saturday Night Live and keeping up with politics.

Betty lived steadfast in her faith in God, leaning into His promise of life everlasting. “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away

from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8. We pray in this time of loss that God give us eyes to see all that is good, the courage for anything, may we be strong, and may God give us ears to hear His loving Word speaking all around and deep inside our hearts.

God blessed us all so deeply by including Betty in our lives.

A private celebration of Betty’s amazing and full life will be held at St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Paul Park (12PM, February 4, 2021), followed by a private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. A celebration of her life is planned for a time when all are free to gather together.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:  For those who would like to participate in Betty's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm.  It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and "CLICK PLAY" to begin.  Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall or complete the HeartStrings message form to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.