Elizabeth C. “Betty” Kankelfitz

Elizabeth Corrine Kankelfitz

Elizabeth C. (Nielsen) Kankelfitz, 90, Fargo, ND, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at Bethany Retirement Living.

“Betty” was born August 9, 1928 in Maddock, ND, the 6^th of 11 children born to Peter and Emma (Erickson) Nielsen.

She moved with her family to from Maddock to Fargo in 1943. She grew up and attended school in Fargo, graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1948. The summers of 1945 and 1946 Betty worked at Johnson Drug in the soda fountain. She worked in the co-op program at North Dakota Blue Cross while in high school and continued to work there until 1968.

Betty married Alfred Kankelfitz on October 6, 1967 at Olivet Lutheran Church. They had one son, David. David married Pennie Clark and together they had one son, Nathan.

Her family was always her priority and always her sense of pride and joy. She stayed close to many in Alfred’s and Pennie’s families. Betty and her siblings were close, and she loved her “sisters” trips.

She was always strong in her faith and leaned on that her whole life, especially during several health challenges and losses in her life.

Betty was proud of her Danish heritage and her association with the Red River Danes.

Her favorite color was purple.

She was involved for years in many volunteer positions at Olivet Lutheran Church. In her Martha Circle she had many close friends.

She belonged to a birthday club that began in 1951 with her friends and co-workers at N.D. Blue Cross. She cherished the friendships she had there.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Pennie and grandson Nathan of Fargo; sisters Rose Stark, Sioux Falls, SD; Beverly (Seth) Twichell of Peoria, AZ; and brother Larry (Carol) Nielsen of Pelican Rapids, MN.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Alfred; son, David; parents; four sisters; and three brothers.

She was “Auntie Betty” to many nieces and nephews and their extended families.

Betty and her family have been grateful to those at Bethany for their care and concern, also to Ethos Hospice for their additional care.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M., with a prayer service at 6:30 P.M., on Sunday, February 17, 2019 in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

The funeral will be on Monday, February 18, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. in Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, with visitation one hour before the service.

Interment will be at 4:00 P.M. Monday,  in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.

Video tribute and online guestbook at www.wrightfuneral.com