Betty Carlson

August 1949 – July 2025

Beloved Sister, Aunt and Friend

Betty was born as the youngest of six children to Morris and Irma (Vandervort) Carlson on August 19, 1949, in Laurens, Iowa. She is survived by her siblings: Leonard (Sandi); Carol Herman (John); Eugene (Linda) and Dale and many beloved nieces and nephews. Betty’s family was always very important to her.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Richard; sister-in-law Carolyn; and great nephew Cameron Camacho.

Betty accepted the Lord as her Savior at age 12. Her life verse was Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore".

Betty graduated from high school in Albert City, Iowa and then attended Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois for one year. She transferred to the University of Iowa in Iowa City and studied nursing attaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in December 1973.

She began her lifetime career as a nurse which gave her much pride. She worked for two years at the University of Iowa Hospital. She then moved to Minneapolis and began working at Methodist Hospital in orthopedics.

While attending Wooddale Church, she felt the Lord leading her toward missions in Africa with the Evangelical Free Church. She spent one year in Zaire as a short-term missionary at Tandala Hospital in Zaire. In preparation for her work in Zaire, she attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School followed by language school in France. She then studied Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium which was taught in French.

In 1985 she returned to Tandala Hospital in Zaire which is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. At Tandala she had many positions but her main responsibility was directing the nursing school. In 1996 she moved to Tanzania from Zaire due to wars in the region.

In Tanzania, she taught English to student teachers sharing the gospel with them. She was able to disciple women and teach community health.

She retired in 2016 and came home to Minneapolis and was actively involved in Wooddale church.

Betty is now with Jesus after suffering with a brain tumor which was diagnosed in December of 2023.

Funeral service will be Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 11am at Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.