BETTY JANE LILJENQUIST

BETTY JANE LILJENQUIST

Betty Jane (Braa) Liljenquist, 89 of Cooperstown, ND passed away on August 19, 2025 at her home in rural Cooperstown and went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Betty was born on August 18, 1936 in Medina, ND to Gerhard (Guy) and Elsie (Berndt) Braa. The family moved to Courtenay, ND and then later to Dazey, ND.

She graduated from Valley City State Teachers College with a teaching degree. She taught in Wimbledon, ND. Although she only taught there for a few years, she left a profound impact on her students. Just a few years ago, one of her former students who was living in Arizona reached out to her because she wanted to tell Betty how much she respected her when she taught her as a child.

She married Wilbur Liljenquist in 1960 and they made their home on a farm in rural Cooperstown, ND. She worked on the family farm providing the necessary support from driving grain trucks to preparing numerous meals throughout the day for her family and farm workers. They were blessed with their five children. Wilbur died in a farm accident in 1986, leaving Betty to raise the younger children alone.

Betty was active in Bethlehem Evangelical Free Church for many years. She and Wilbur were leaders of the church youth group for several years and she was also involved in the women’s ministry. She hosted many missionaries at her farm and gave up her bed so that they would have a bed for sleeping. She would wake up early in the morning to make sure an abundant breakfast was ready when everybody awakened.

Betty was well known for her baking abilities, including caramel rolls and 7-minute frosting on chocolate cake for which seemed like only she could perfect.

During the latter stages of her life, she spent most of the week with her youngest son, Jamie in Fargo, ND. The two of them helped each other. She enjoyed her daily mochas in Fargo and visiting with numerous people for whom she would interact with during the day. Since Jamie has a progressive neuromuscular disease, she assisted him in being able to fulfill what brought him great joy, which was going into his work office. On the weekends, she and Jamie would travel back to her farm near Cooperstown so that she could spend time at her home.

Betty is survived by her son Scott (Lori) Liljenquist, her daughter Susan (Jon) Turner, her son Stacy all of Cooperstown, her son Jamie of Fargo; brother Norm (Jan) Evans of Bismarck, ND; sister-in-law Margaret Stokka of Hannaford, ND; daughter-in-law Cressy Liljenquist; grandchildren: Devon (Emily) Liljenquist, Brittany (Tyler) Almquist, Braden (Madison) Liljenquist, Carissa Liljenquist (Joseph Melendrez), Jeremy Liljenquist, Eryn Turner, Jayden Turner; great-grandchildren: Ellie Almquist, Larson Liljenquist, Myles Melendrez. She is survived by many nephews and nieces.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wilbur, son Tim; sisters: Doris Dibley, Carol Sortland; brothers-in-law: Gene Ness, Stan Dibley, Chuck Sortland; sister-in-law: Julie Johnson; nephews Dan Evans and Steve Evans.

Betty is in heaven today because she placed her faith in Jesus Christ. Her sincerest wish would be for others to also come to the realization of their sins and their need for a savior who paid the penalty of their sins.

A service will be held at Cornerstone Community Church in Cooperstown, ND on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 2 PM.