Betty Conkins

Betty Charlotte Conkins, age 97, of Crookston, MN, passed away on December 21, 2020, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN, knowing she was loved.

Betty Charlotte Peterson was born on December 15, 1923, in Aireys, MD, the daughter of Axel and Esther (Clauson) Peterson, both Swedish immigrants.  Sadly, her mother died 6 weeks later which left her father with the realization that with having 5 children under the age of 8 he needed to place Betty with a foster family until she started school.  Betty returned to her family and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1940.  Afterwards, she worked as a secretary at a local hospital until she met a young Minnesota sailor named Bud Conkins while he was on leave.  They were married on December 15, 1945 and made their home back in Bud’s hometown of Crookston, MN.  Together they raised 8 children and were very active in their church and community.  Betty loved to volunteer and spent 25 years helping in the beauty shop at the Villa and helped with suppers and events at the Eagle’s Club.  She was a board member on the parish council, Cathedral School, Mount St. Benedict, as well as the Villa and Eagles Auxiliary.  She was a great armchair coach and loved to go to the casino well into her 90’s.  She was also very proud of selling Avon for 45 years.

Betty is survived by her children, Jennifer Pederson of St. Cloud, MN; Bruce and Robyn Conkins of Brainerd, MN, Barbara and Bob Anderson of Crookston, MN, Greg and Cindy Conkins of Duluth, MN, Gary and Nancy Conkins of Devils Lake, ND, Brian Conkins of Minneapolis, MN, Jerome and Monica Conkins of Spring Branch, TX, and Anmari Conkins and Mike LeBlanc of Crookston, MN; 17 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, E. Jerome “Bud’ Conkins in 1995; granddaughter, Erin Conkins; parents, Axel and Ester Peterson; sisters, Ellen, Edna, and Lil; brother, Ralph; and son-in-law, Paul Pederson.

Mass of Christian Burial for Betty will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, MN, with a time of visitation one hour before the mass.  Father Vincent Miller will celebrate.  Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Crookston, MN.