Elizabeth Brouillard

Elizabeth "Betty" Conway Brouillard, 74, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully early Friday morning, July 27, 2012, at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home in Crookston, with her family at her side. Betty was born in Warren, MN on February 12, 1938 to Stephen and Dorothy (Goulet) Zippa. She was baptized in the Catholic faith and at the age of five moved with her family from Warren to Argyle, MN. She attended parochial school in Argyle, and was confirmed at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Betty graduated from Argyle High School in 1956, and then lived in Minneapolis where she was employed by Northern States Power (NSP). On February 15, 1958 she was united in marriage to Leroy Conway at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. The couple made their home in Minneapolis for a short time, while Leroy finished his schooling, and then settled in Argyle. They were blessed by the births of a daughter and two sons: Dee, Tim, and Jamie. In 1961 the family moved to Crookston, where Leroy assumed the duties of Factory Controller for the American Crystal Sugar Company. While running a very busy household, Betty found time to teach piano from her home for over twenty-five years. From the late 1960's into the 1970's she served as dispatcher for Wylie Trucking in Crookston. Betty was active in Cub Scouts for several years as a den mother, and she and Leroy both served on the Crookston Boy Scout committee. During the 1980's she taught in the Tiny Tot program. Betty and Leroy enjoyed playing bridge and were members of the Sunday Night Bridge Club and Crookston Duplicate Bridge Club. They also bowled in a mixed doubles league for several years. Sadly Leroy passed away on April 14, 1991. Betty had been a devoted member of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Argyle for several years and continued her life of faith at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. On September 30, 1993 she was united in marriage to Richard "Dick" Brouillard at the Cathedral. The couple had been making their home in Crookston to the present time. Betty was active in the Catholic Lady Foresters in both Argyle and Crookston and had held several terms as president in both chapters. Her passion for knitting led her to form the Knitting Club, and she was also quite talented at crocheting. Betty was very proud of her children, and always looked forward to visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who shared in her life. Loving family members include her husband, Dick; daughter and son-in-law, Dee and Shane Sperling of Crookston, MN, and their 4 daughters: Nicole Sperling (fiance', Gabe Genereux) and her son, Tristan, of Crookston, Natalie (Bobby) Johnson and their son, Ethan, of Whispering Pines, NC, Nadine (Joe) Helm and their daughters, Hailey and Kyra, of Crookston, and Nerissa Sperling (fiance', Mike Hanson) and their son, Conner, of Crookston. Betty also leaves 2 sons and a daughter-in-law: Tim Conway of Marstons Mills, MA, and Jamie and Lori Conway of Moorhead, MN, and their 5 children: Kirby Conway of Bakersfield, CA, Ashley (Joey) Ehlers and their son, Cayson, of Wahpeton, ND, Cassidey Conway and her daughter, Ava, of Bakersfield, CA, and Andrew and Tyler Conway, both of Moorhead. She will also be missed by her 3 sisters and brother: JoAnne Tulibaski of Crookston, Marge Kuznia of Casper, WY, Mike (Marilyn) Zippa of Inver Grove Heights, MN and Patty (Ron) Ryan of Mendota Heights, MN; her mother-in-law, Grace Conway of Argyle, MN; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law including: Sharon (George) Talley of Lake Havasu, AZ, Teri (Glenn) Pranke of Lakeville, MN, Tom (Jolene) Conway of Argyle, MN, Don (Pat) Brouillard of Leonard, ND, Jim (Karen) Brouillard of Crookston, Robert (Billie) Brouillard of Park River, ND, Charles Brouillard and Sister Rose Marie Brouillard of Crookston, Catherine Brouillard of Dewey, AZ, Mary Beth (Dave) McDonald of Bovey, MN, Madeline Parks of Grand Forks, ND, Roy (Carol) Brouillard of Spring Lake Park, MN, John Brouillard of Crookston, Mike (Fran) Brouillard of East Grand Forks, MN, and Dan (Lori) Brouillard of Twin Valley, MN; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family. In addition to her first husband, Leroy, Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Dorothy Zippa; a great-granddaughter, Shayla Helm; an infant sister, Mary Ann; and her father-in-law, Bill Conway. May God richly bless the memory of Betty Conway Brouillard. The Mass of Christian Burial for Elizabeth "Betty" Conway Brouillard will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, August 2, 2012, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, with Father Vincent Miller, presiding, and Deacon Dennis Bivens, homilist. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm, with a 6:30 pm prayer service, and visitation also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral mass. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Crookston.

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Previous Events

Visitation
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Service
Thursday, August 2, 2012
cemetery
Thursday, August 2, 2012