Betty Ann (Lundeen) Lundergard was born Dec. 8, 1929, to Blanche (Reel) and Martin Lundeen on a farm near Loveland. She had four sisters and one brother. Two of her sisters passed away before reaching adulthood. Betty graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1948. After graduation she worked in Missouri Valley in the drug store at the soda fountain and as a Western Union operator. She then worked for eight years at the First National Bank in Missouri Valley.
She met Donald Lundergard on a blind date and they were married April 17, 1955. They had two daughters, Luanne and Donna. Don operated a Conoco gas station in Missouri Valley until 1964, when he went to work for the Iowa Highway Commission as a traffic weight officer. They moved to Atlantic for Don's job in 1965. In 1968, they were transferred to Avoca when the new scales were built on Interstate 80. They built a new home in Avoca in Olesen's addition.
After moving to Avoca she worked at a day care center and as a cook at Colonial Manor Nursing Home. She then spent ten years working at Citizen's Savings Bank before retiring in February 1987.
Betty was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, the Avoca Federated Club, and Legion VFW Auxiliary. She worked for many years helping Donald with the Legion's bingo night. She and Donald enjoyed traveling and went on many trips with the bank's travel club. In 1996, they traveled to Berlin, Germany for Donald's 50th year army unit reunion. They went fishing at Lake Lida Resort in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota every July with Donald's brother Robert and his family for almost 30 years. She enjoyed spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, sewing, crocheting, and gardening.
In 2019, they sold their home and she moved to Avoca Lodge Assisted Living facility to be closer to Donald who was a resident in the nursing home. She resided at the Lodge until October 2023, when she entered Avoca Specialty Care long term care facility where she passed away February 9, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sisters, Marg, Marilyn, Carolyn, Lucille; brother, Bill; and great-grandson, Paul Leon (Lee and Melissa). She is survived by her daughters, Luanne Lundergard of Omaha, Neb. and Donna Peters (Ron) of Tennant; grandchildren, Eric (Jessica) Peters, Lee (Melissa) Peters, and Cari Wingert (Zach); great-grandchildren, Ethan, Janna, Tyler Peters, Adeline and James Wingert; sisters-in-law, Mary Kocour of Dakota Dunes, S.D. and Marlene Lundergard of Logan; many nieces and nephews, and family friends. She always told her girls "Love you, dolly. Ring me when you get home."
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, with Pastor Matt Bahnfleth officiating. Eric Peters, Kent Krajeski, Lee Peters, Ethan Peters, Zach Wingert and Tyler Peters served as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers were Janna Peters, Adeline Wingert, James Wingert, Melissa Peters, Jessica Peters and Cari Wingert. Interment was held at the Grange Cemetery in Honey Creek.
Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
