Elizabeth “Betty” J. Pezalla

Elizabeth “Betty” J. Pezalla, 91, of Moorhead, MN, died Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.

Elizabeth Betty Jean Pezalla passed away May 19, 2015 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Elizabeth Jean Johnson was born on December 26, 1923, and grew up in Christine North Dakota. In her early life she was a farm girl, but abandoned that when she and Steve Pezalla Grandpa Steve were married.

Betty was an intelligent woman who found joy in educating others; she taught 5th grade in Washington School Moorhead and elementary art in Fargo and Moorhead for years. The teaching didn’t stop in the classroom; Betty taught numerous workshops and craft lessons to weavers and fellow artists. She shared with her family as well: every Christmas and every summer at the annual family lake vacation, Grandma would work with her grandchildren to help them weave baskets, process wool for felting to make little animals, make paper, and any number of other craft projects.

Betty always put together the best Christmas celebration. Family members came from across the country to join in the festivities. Every bedroom was filled to overflowing , and sleeping bags lay on the floor throughout the house. Every grandchild looked forward to ” Find the Pickle in the Christmas Tree” .She managed to hide the pickle so well that it took quite some time to find, but when one of them did, the prizes were wonderful. All grandchildren would be decked out in new wool slippers and mittens lovingly crafted by Grandma Betty, and everyone had a wonderful time.

Grandma Betty was the best cook in the world. Her homemade bread, rolls, cookies and lefse shall remain legendary You could never pass up cinnamon twists, Mexican Fudge, or Pezalla Green Jell-O.
Betty and Steve raised 5 children, Their extended family includes 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Betty carried on through life with elegance, wit and humor; She loved sharing her gifts with her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren
Grandma Betty’s faith, talents and traditions will live on for generations.

Funeral: Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour before the service.
Interment: Prairie Home Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.