Betty A. Storbakken-Smith

Betty A. Storbakken-Smith, 73, Fargo, ND, died on Thursday, August 6, 2009, in her home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.Betty Ann Ekren was born on August 13, 1935, in Thompson, ND, to Oscar and Tillie Sannes Ekren. She grew up and attended school in Grand Forks, ND. She married Eugene M. Storbakken on October 9, 1951, in Grand Forks, ND, and they lived there briefly before moving to the Fargo-Moorhead area. Betty took great pride in her family and was a woman of strong faith who was always a mother first. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Moorhead V.F.W. Ladies Auxilliary and the Sons of Norway. Eugene died in 1986. Betty married John W. Smith on May 14, 2004, at St. Francis de Sales in Moorhead and they lived in Fargo. John died on July 1, 2009.Betty is survived by her sons, Mark Chris Storbakken, Apache Junction, AZ, David Marjolane Storbakken, Moorhead, MN, Scott Cathy Andring Storbakken, Dilworth, MN, William Jerralee Storbakken, Moorhead; three daughters, Lynette David Herzog, Moorhead, MN, Tami Ron Alden, Park Rapids, MN, Rene James Wasfaret Storbakken, Moorhead, MN; two brothers, Lawrence Ursula Ekren, Tulsa, OK, Bill Jeannette Ekren, Grand Forks, ND; sister, Opal Smaalden, Aneta, ND; eighteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; step-children, Jack Ty Smith, Jeff Holly Smith, Joe Smith, Jeri Steve Cahill; many step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Eugene M. Storbakken, husband John W. Smith; daughter, Karen, two grandchildren, Tyler Hughes and Melissa Breitweser; brothers Tony Ekren and Obert Ekren. Betty's family would like to express their gratitude to Hospice of the Red River Valley for the excellent care that they provided.