Betsy Caroline Riess, age 90, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016 at Arbor Terrace, where she had lived the past 3 1/2 years.

Betsy was born January 26, 1926 to Edna (Erickson) and Edgar Westby.  She grew up in rural Peterson, MN.  She was baptized and confirmed at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church.  She attended grade school at Sandsness and Bratsburg country schools, and then high school in Rushford, MN.  When she was a junior in high school her parents and younger sister, Delone, moved to Rochester.  Betsy stayed in Rushford to finish her schooling, living with her beloved Aunt Clara and Uncle Gynther, until graduating in 1943.

She then joined her family in Rochester and began her working career as a secretary at age 17 in the business office at Marigold Dairy.  After a year she moved to Rochester Dairy, where took a position as bookkeeper.  In 1947 she married Harold (Bud) Papke. In their early married years they traveled each winter to southern states because of Harold's work, and she loved the warmer weather!

She was a stay-at-home mom for many years, but after the birth of her third child she returned to the workplace, working as an account technician in the business office at Rochester State Hospital until it closed in 1982.  She then became business manager at Bear Creek Services until her retirement.  With her warm personality and sincere concern for others she made many long-lasting friendships in her jobs, and years into retirement her luncheon schedule was full meeting with her former co-workers to enjoy time together.

Harold passed away in 1981, and in 1989 she married Eugene Riess.  They had almost 20 years together, traveling and enjoying time with their blended family.  Gene passed away in 2008.

She was a long-time member of Zumbro Lutheran Church.

In addition to her parents and her two husbands she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Gregory Gullickson, and her grandson, Judson Zimmerman.  She is survived by children Joleen Gullickson, Jeffrey (Helen) Papke, and Jay Papke; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; three children by marriage:  Kathie (Gale) Priebe, Robert Riess, and Richard (Nancy) Riess, and their children and grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister Delone (Dan) Schuster, and two nephews, Randy and Brent Schnorr, and many cousins.

She will be remembered as an amazing person who always gave of herself to friends and family. When her son asked her if she could sum up what she learned in her 90 years, her response was "Be kind to everyone."  That was Betsy!

A visitation will be from 3:30pm to 6:00pm at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home on Friday, July 22, 2016.  There will be a private gravesite service at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Zumbro Lutheran Church, Samaritan Bethany, or a charity of the giver's choice.

The family's heartfelt thanks go out to Betsy's many caregivers at Arbor Terrace and Seasons Hospice.