Betty (Kissee) Eklund

Betty June Kissee Eklund was born June 2, 1936 in Casseville, MO. She was the last of 10 children born to Richard Anderson and Myrtle Cora Kissee.

She met her true love, Ralph Eklund in 1955 and married him January 19, 1956.  Betty and Ralph enjoyed square dancing, bowling, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and organizing group activities.  They created several trips for education, sports, and dancing.  Betty was a key part in getting the Chester Horseshoe Club organized and getting several tournaments to Chester.

Betty suffered from wanderlust.  As a child of a preacher, they moved every 3 to 5 years, and it continued after her marriage.

Betty worked many years as a cook in the various towns she lived in.  She was very proud of the work she did while working for Action for Eastern Montana in Circle, helping with the Native Americans located in Fort Peck Indian Reservation.  After moving to Chester she continued working as a cook in several restaurants, and became a nurse’s aide at Liberty County Hospital and Nursing Home.  She later worked at the hospital in Fallan, NV.  She was a Sunday school and bible school teacher.  Betty played piano on several occasions for various churches she belonged to.  She loved music of all kinds.

She enjoyed many hobbies over the years.  Betty was a gifted doodler, tried her hand at crocheting, and worked on rug hooking.  She had many close friends who loved to spend hours talking and enjoying each other’s company.

Betty was a caregiver.  She always fought for the underdog.  If she felt someone was being slighted, then she went out of her way to right the wrong.  After her retirement, she spent many years looking after her grandson and great grandchildren.

In her later years she enjoyed watching game shows, reality dance and music shows.  Betty was an avid reader especially Betty Neal and Julie Garwood books.  She loved playing cards and watching her Duke boys play basketball as well as Cubs baseball.

She loved deeply and was loved by all.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Majorie and Elizabeth; brothers, Richard, Herrell, Wiley, and Anderson; and her grandson, Kirk Layton.

She is survived by her three children, John and Mary Ann Eklund of Kissimmee, FL; Yvonne and Steve Layton of Chester, and Ronald Eklund of Boise, ID; grandson, Karl and Laura Layton of Meridian, ID; great grandchildren, Trapper, Tina, and Tesla of Meridian, ID; brothers, Marvin and Mildred Kissee of McClusky, ND, John and Jane Kissee of Kansas City, MO, and Vernon and Cheryl Kissee of Reno, NV; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held Friday, August 19, at 2:00 PM at Chester Methodist Church. Burial to follow in Chester Cemetery and a reception following burial at the church.