"So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the entire family during this difficult time. "
Elizabeth "Bette" Guenther, 87, of St. Charles died Thursday, June 18, 2020, with Dave at her bedside, a few days after their 69th anniversary. After a long battle with Alzheimers, she died at St. Anne Extended Healthcare in Winona.
Bette was born April 29, 1933 in Winona to Joseph and Elizabeth (Lamey) Ives. As a teenager in Winona, Bette met Dave Guenther through a common friend. They married June 16, 1951 at the Army base in Albany, GA. Dave later served in Korea and Bette then returned to Winona to raise their young family. Bette and Dave later moved to Rollingstone before moving to St. Charles, where Dave started his business. Bette stayed home to care for their nine children. After later receiving her drivers license, she went to work for IDS, retiring in 1993.
Bette was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church as a part of the choir and Catholic Daughters, serving on several committees. She and Dave enjoyed camping with their family and friends in the Whitewater Valley. Bette and Dave took may bus trips with sisters and friends, as well as going on cruises.
Survivors include her husband Dave, nine children, David of Chatfield; Rick of Stewartville; Gary (Terry) of Willmar; Pam (Darrel) Rupprecht of St. Charles; Lori (Tim) Edwards of Salem, South Carolina; Tim of Willmar; Denise (Tom) McGrath of Thielman; Brad (Dawn) of Rochester and Beth (Bernie) Winkels of Stewartville, 24 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, with one more arriving soon. She is further survived by four siblings; Lois Kramer, Susan Hanson, Sharon Thompson and Joseph Ives, Jr. all of Winona. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jackie Ives, her parents and Dave's parents.
A public visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles. In accordance with current COVID restrictions, face masks and social distancing are required. A private family funeral Mass will follow with the Reverend Tim Biren officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A Live Stream video of the mass will be available at www.Redeemersaints.org. Memorials are preferred. They may be directed to Hoff Funeral Home, P.O. Box 576, St. Charles, MN, 55972. Please share a memory of Bette or a message to her family at www.hofffuneral.com.
"So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the entire family during this difficult time. "
"Sending my love and prayers upholding all of you. I am so sorry I did not know of Bette\'s passing until today. My heart goes out to you all and may the peace of God, His strength and love abide with wonderful memories in your hearts. With sincere sympathy and love, Kara"
"Dear Dave, Just wanted to let you know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It looks like you will have a lot of support from your lovely family. Sue Schneider (Bev\'s daughter from 5th floor) "
"So sorry for your loss Dave and family. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time."
"Dave I am so sorry to hear of Bettes Passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Pam Wolf"
"Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. She was a sweet lady. "
"So sorry on your loss. We will keep you all in prayers."
"I remember spending my days with Bette when she was at Calista Court. She had the best simile! Loved watching 101 Dalmatians with her. She had great family support!"
"So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Dave and all of Bette\'s family. "
"It was an honor and a privilege to take care of Bette on 5th floor. I also took care of her mother when I first started at St Annes..Dave was a constant loving husband by her side .I often referred to him as \"Noah\" from The Notebook Bette will be missed and we will miss Dave\'s daily visits"
"Our sincere sympathy and prayers. Happy memories, especially out cruise together."
"Dave and family, We are very sorry to read of Bette\'s passing. I always remember her as a nice lady with a gentle smile on her face. Blessings to all of you at this time. May she rest in peace. Orv and Janell Dahl"
"Dave and family, We are so sorry to hear of Betty\'s passing. Keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers."
"My wife and I met Dave and Betty when we joined the church choir in St Charles in the mid 2000s. At the time we were in our 20s so there was a bit of an age gap between us but it didn?t matter. We got along great and they became good friends. They had such a beautiful marriage and always carried a wonderful joy with them that was infectious. I?m grateful to have known them as a couple and to have been lucky enough to share moments of laughter with them. Found a couple pictures of them from when we sang at our new church groundbreaking in 2006 and from when they met our son in 2009. Our hearts go out to Dave and all of their family. Eternal rest grant unto Betty, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. "
"My beautiful mother was the most giving of all human beings. She devoted her life to her family, the church, and her community. She was kind, loving, caring, and would put her own needs behind all others. She loved all nine of us children unconditionally. Her bond with my dad kept her going longer than humanly possible. Having just celebrated their 69th anniversary on June 16, 2020, their love and bond was unbreakable. Fly high my beautiful sweet mother. We love you. We will miss you. You are now at peace and can be my guardian angel. Your free!!! Lori Edwards"
"Sad to hear this. Sympathies to all of the families. "
"Dave and family we are so sorry to hear about Bette passing, she was such a sweet kind lady and loved by so many. Heaven has gained another beautiful angel and will be keeping watch over her family???"