Betty M. DeClercq

Betty Bjorgen DeClercq was born on February 22, 1929, in Olympia, Washington to Alfred and Edna Bjorgen (Zimmerman). She was confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and was a lifetime member of Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett.

Betty married Wayne DeClercq on September 26, 1948, and established their home three miles east of Barrett where they farmed and raised their five children. Except for Betty’s early years of growing up in Rothsay, Minnesota, she lived in Barrett the rest of her life, on the farm and eventually moving to her home on Barrett Lake.

Betty was Wayne’s valued farming partner for many years. In 1967, she joined the Barrett Care Center, where she later served for several years as administrator. She was a dedicated advocate for older adults and their families.

Beyond her love for her family, her passion and her joys were her pottery and her love for Barrett Lake. Looking in the cupboards of friends and families, one would surely find a “Betty bowl.” She spent many hours watching activities on the lake, both winter and summer.  Her passion for the lake’s preservation led her to assist in the development of the Barrett Lake Association.

On October 1, at the age of ninety-seven years, Betty died at the Evansville Campus under the care of Douglas County Hospice.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul, sister Doris, and a grandson, Michael Silbernick.

Betty is survived by her five children, Jennifer DeClercq, Chery Simpson, Suzanne (Doug) Trenda, Marc DeClercq, Lisa (Brian) Silbernick; nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

A private family service will be held at a later date.