Betty Jane Lofback, 88, lifelong Virginia resident went home to Heaven to dance with her husband Lloyd on their 56th wedding anniversary, Saturday, September 30, 2017 surrounded by family and wonderful family of caregivers at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Mt. Iron, MN.

Betty was born on March 26, 1929 in Higgins Location the daughter of William and Hannah (Krasovic) Weaver. The youngest of 7 sisters, Betty grew up in William's addition in Virginia and graduated from Virginia High School Class of 1947. On September 30, 1961 she was united in marriage to Lloyd W. Lofback at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Virginia, MN. Following their marriage Lloyd and Betty purchased a home in Virginia and also enjoyed many years at their cabin on Birch Point, Lake Vermillion.

Betty worked at Frisch's Food Market, Brown Drug, JC Penny, the Cluett-Peabody Shirt Factory, and Northwestern Bell where she was a switchboard operator and repair clerk. She took time off after their daughter Brenda was born to be at home, but then returned to work at the Horace Mann and James Madison elementary schools where she was a "lunch lady" helping with the hot lunch program and on the playground. She also worked as an aide with special needs kids. Betty loved to cook and bake. She was outstanding in preparing all the fish, deer, ducks, geese, and other wild game that Lloyd would bring home. Betty fished in her early years but also enjoyed picking blueberries with her family and sisters Ethel and Pauline. Betty's talent for cooking brought her into the catering world when she worked at the old Virginia Elks Club which was located on Chestnut Street, preparing delicious meals for all their functions.

Betty was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and its Mary Martha Guild 4. Betty was also very involved with the Virginia Band Boosters when Brenda was in high school. Betty and Lloyd chaperoned many band trips including their trip to 1980 Cherry Blossom Festival parade in Washington, DC. Over the years Betty baked many pans of apple bars and other treats for the functions at the Minnesota Iron Range Retriever Club where Lloyd was an active member. Lloyd and Betty count three golden retrievers as part of their family – Rusty, Chief, and Kasey – who are all happy to have mom, with her endless supply of treats in her pockets, home with them in Heaven (Granddog Nugget too). Betty enjoyed watching her granddaughters Megan and Mary grow up and sharing time and memories with them.

Betty is survived by her daughter Brenda (Peter) Skorich, granddaughters Megan (fiancée Josh Lundberg) and Mary; sister-in-law Marilyn (Cookie) Davidson of The Woodlands, Texas. She is survived by many nieces and nephews including Claudia (Gary) Skalko of Mt Iron, Edwina (Martin) Bergerson of Eveleth, MaryAnn (Rod) Anderson of Bemidji, Bill Jusela of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Cynde (Mark) Hansen of Eagan, MN, Randy Hampson of Conneticut, Greg Hampson of Carrollton, TX, and Danny Bourcier of Florida. She is also survived by many very special friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lloyd on June 6, 2017, sisters Florence Pryan, Edna Wansitler, Pauline Jusela, Ethel Jusela, Dorothy Bourcier, and Cora Hampson and each of their spouses. Betty was the last surviving of the seven sisters.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Diamond Willow for their compassionate care of Betty, the staff of Essentia East Range Hospice, and all those who have called and visited Betty both at home and at Diamond Willow. Your kindness is very much appreciated.

Memorial Mass for Betty will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, MN. Reverend Father Peter Lambert will celebrate the Mass. A Gathering time for family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Church. Inurnment will follow in the family plot at Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Virginia Community Foundation, Honor Flight Northland, or the Virginia Servicemen's Club.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Gathering Time for Family & Friends 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM ,Saturday, October 7, 2017
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
306 Second Street South Virginia, MN 55792
Memorial Mass 11:00 AM ,Saturday, October 7, 2017
Holy Spirit Catholic Church
306 Second Street South Virginia, MN 55792
Inurnment 12:00 PM ,Saturday, October 7, 2017
Greenwood Cemetery
1126 North 9th Street Virginia, MN 55792