Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Nordeen was born in Almena, Wisconsin on December 14, 1916 the daughter of John and Bertha (Kirchmire) Miller. Her family lived in southern Minnesota while she was growing up. In 1925 they moved to Osceola, Wisconsin and Betty attended school there graduating from High School in 1935. She attended St. Croix Normal and also River Falls to become a teacher. On September 11, 1942 she was married to Oscar Nordeen. They made their home near Clayton and Betty taught in several of the rural schools in the area. She got a job as a teacher in Clayton and taught 8th grade there until retiring in 1948. She continued as a substitute teacher for many years after that. In the early 1950's she and Oscar spent their winters in Florida where Oscar continued working in construction building homes. Betty has been an active member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake for many years. She has always enjoyed gardening, especially her flowers. Being widowed since 1985 she was then married to Carl Johnson. They lived in rural Clayton and continued the trips to Florida in the winter. Carl died in 1997. Betty has continued to live independently these past years. She was taken to Region's Hospital and passed away there on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the age of 96 years.
Her parents, husband Oscar Nordeen, husband Carl Johnson, brother Alfred Miller and a niece Bonnie preceded her in death. Surviving family members include her brother Bernard Miller (Elaine) and foster-son Alan Heyer (Suzanne), sister-in-law Leona Miller; step-daughter Carla Johnson (Terry); 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.


Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, September 23 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Ann's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake. There will be a time of visitation for the hour before the service at the church. Burial will be at the Assumption Cemetery in Farmington, Wisconsin at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.