Elizabeth “Betty” Louise Stellrecht, 90, of Red Wing, Minnesota, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at her home at Potter Ridge. She was born February 19, 1936, in Bellechester, MN, to Tildon and Hilda (Gillespie) Burkard. Betty and her siblings were raised in the upstairs of the Tavern in Bellechester, where they made many special childhood memories together. Tavern patrons and family were treated to Gene Autry movies projected on bedsheets, outside the Tavern on warm Saturday nights.
Sadly, by the age of 11, Betty and her siblings had lost both of their parents. Betty then lived with her great aunt Annie for one year as well as her other aunts and uncles, Catherine and Pat for 3 years and then Carl and Vern, briefly. She finally settled with her cousins, Cal and Mina and they lived in Spokane, Washington for her sophomore year of high school, Red Wing for her junior year and she graduated from Bloomington High School in 1954. Betty worked at Snyder Drug in Minneapolis for one year before moving to Spooner, Wisconsin in 1955, where she met Henry Stellrecht. They were married on April 14, 1956, and in 1963, they moved to Red Wing. Betty did daycare in her home for 15 years and then cleaned homes. Henry and Betty were married 58 years before his passing in January of 2015. She was a member of the Church of St. Joseph.
Betty found great joy in baking, especially her delicious apple and raspberry pies and an assortment of homemade cookies. Her oatmeal, chocolate chip, and coffee spice cookies were family favorites. She also enjoyed making doughnuts, raspberry jelly, and strawberry jam, and enjoyed canning. Playing cards was always a favorite of hers, especially euchre, 500 and canasta. Above all, Betty cherished her family. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them and be a part of their lives.
She is survived by her children, Brenda of Spooner, WI, Jerry of Goodhue, Steve (Deanna) of Welch, Paul of Hastings, Brian Stellrecht of Red Wing and Beth (Brian) Hall of Zumbro Falls; 8 grandchildren, Kaela (Gary) Stellrecht, Korbyne (Miles) Edstrom, Kamryn (Walker) Kennedy, Keaton (Anna) Stellrecht, Courtney (Cole) Willers, Cassandra and Lily Hall and Dakota Belisle-Stellrecht and 4 great-grandchildren, Lorayna and Nyksen Edstrom, Thomas Kennedy and Charlotte Willers. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry; son, Robert and siblings, Joe Burkard and Berta Peterson.
Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Church of St. Joseph with visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellechester. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.
