Tho her smile is gone forever, and her hand we cannot touch, still we have so many memories of the one we love so much. Betty Louise Gibson, age 81, of Mankato, entered eternal life on Monday, January 5, 2009.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2009 at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, with Rev. Joel Erickson, officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Burial will be at Mound Cemetery in LeSueur. Memorials are preferred to the organization of the donor's choice.
Betty was born at home on October 10, 1927 in Dresselville of LeSueur County to Arthur and Edna (Dressel) Nuessmeier. She attended country school (District 78) and graduated from LeSueur High School. After attending Gustavus Adolphus College, she received a nursing degree from St. Joseph's School of Nursing. She started her nursing career working for a private family physician in LeSueur. Betty continued working in her profession as a nurse at Immanuel Hospital and later Immanuel- St. Joseph's Hospital of Mankato until her retirement in 1992.
Betty married Delmer M. Gibson on October 15, 1948 at Zion's Evangelical and Reformed Church in LeSueur. They lived in LeSueur until moving to Mankato in 1951.
Betty led an active life raising her six children and working as a nurse. She enjoyed reading, music, gardening, taking walks and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her gentle and compassionate nature allowed her to enjoy volunteer work in her retirement. She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and was also a member of RSVP and the Red Cross. Betty was also active with the Echo Food Shelf and assisted students at Franklin Elementary with reading.
Betty is survived by six children and their spouses all from the Mankato area, David and Darcy Gibson, Stephen and Karen Gibson, Jennifer Pischke, Matthew and Linda Gibson, Mary and Robert McDonald, Laurie and Gene Horning; seventeen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Carl (Elaine) Nuessmeier of LeSueur; nieces and nephews and one sister-in-law, Norma Nuessmeier.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Delmer, November 7, 2004; an infant daughter, Juanita Ann; and a brother, Richard.