Betty Ann Sowden

Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Sowden was born to Wilbur and Frances (Sanow) Kautz on March 25, 1929 in Ward, South Dakota. She was raised in the area near Ward, Verdi and Lake Benton, Minnesota. On July 10, 1948, she was united in marriage to Leo Sowden at Lake Benton. Following their marriage, they farmed in the Ward, Verdi, and Holland, Minnesota area. In 1966, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where Betty worked at various jobs. In 1968, she became employed in the Dietary Department at the Pipestone Hospital. She worked there for over 24 years until her retirement in May, 1993. After she retired, she cared for the elderly in their homes for seven years. She then did lots of volunteering and enjoyed every minute of it. In June of 2019, Betty moved to Falls Landing in Pipestone and enjoyed her time there until moving to the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone in December. Shortly before Christmas she entered the care of the Pipestone County Hospice House where she passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2020 at the age of 90 years, 11 months, and two days.

Since 1995, Betty attended Christ the King Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Prior to that, she was a member of the Assembly of God Church for 20 years. She enjoyed quilting, flower gardening, cooking, and making goodies at Christmas for family and friends.

She is survived by her three sons, Charles Sowden, Daryl (Sherry) Sowden, and David Sowden, all of Pipestone, Minnesota; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter (Julie) Kautz of Slayton, Minnesota; four sisters, Dorothy Pottratz of Woodlake, Minnesota, June Osborn of Gil, Colorado, Ardith Caulfield of Ward, South Dakota, and Mary Erickson of Minot, North Dakota; and special friend, Barb Westerbur. She was preceded in death by her husband; her sons, Robert and Jim; her grandson, Daniel; her parents; her stepfather; her brother, Elmer Kautz; and brothers-in-law, Norman Erickson, Norman Pottratz, and Jim Caulfield.