Betty Lou Thurston

Betty Lou (Johnson) Thurston born March 5, 1942, in Madelia, MN to Aleen (Chasteen) and Clifford Johnson Sr. passed away at Living Meadows in Madelia, MN on July 28, 2020 due to complications from COVID 19. Betty had resided here for over fourteen years. Betty graduated from Madelia High School in 1960 as the salutatorian. She also played saxophone in the band. She graduated from Mankato State University in 1964 with a Home Economics BS Degree. She married her high school sweetheart Stanley Thurston on July 2, 1965. Betty went on to teach for one year in Hector, MN and was a substitute teacher at Madelia High School. She took time off to raise 3 daughters: Amy (Calvin) Schumacher, Elko, MN, Jill (John) Liepold, New Market, MN, and Natalie (Robert) Lindquist, New Ulm, MN. Betty re-entered the working world and did numerous jobs: Duebers Department Store, part-time librarian at the Madelia Public Library and some part-time cleaning jobs. Betty was an active member of the Garden City Christian Church where she participated in Bible study, choir, women's fellowship and was a Sunday and Bible School teacher. She was also a 4-H Leader with the Ceresco-Top-Notchers. Betty is proceeded in death by: her parents Clifford Sr. & Aleen (Chasteen) Johnson, brother Clifford Jr. Johnson and an infant daughter. Betty is survived by her husband of 55 years, Stanley Thurston of Madelia MN, 3 daughters, 3 grandsons, 2 granddaughters and sister Joan (Dave) Crader of Estacada, OR.