Elizabeth "Betty" Ann (Deziel) Harrington

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Harrington (nee Deziel), 100, of Oakdale, MN was born on November 14, 1924 in Farmington, MN to Anne A. and Fred T. Deziel.  After spending her early years growing up in Farmington, her family then moved to St. Paul where she proudly attended Monroe High School.  Betty’s zest for life, caring nature, and heartfelt expressions of love—whether through her cooking for others or turning ordinary moments into celebrations—will be deeply missed.  She had a remarkable gift for recognizing the milestones that mattered most to others.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Anne A. and Fred T. Deziel, five siblings: Fred Deziel, Lorraine Rosenow, Ed Deziel, Rose Jarchow and infant brother Michael Deziel.  Betty was also preceded in death by her husband, Earl Harrington and former spouses, Ludwig Tulik, and father of her children, Orville Wilking.

Betty is survived by her five children, Judy Wilking, John Wilking (Joyce), Jane Hinderscheid (Pat), Joe Wilking (Sue), Joyce Beaird (Steve), as well as her special niece, Gail Rosenow and many nieces, nephews and cousins she cherished.  Betty also has 14 grandchildren: Kristi Atwater (Fred), Bob Pekarek (Heidi), Kim Turinske (Rob), Kari Tomoson (Chad), Jim Wilking, Jackie Thorn (Eric), Jeff Hinderscheid (Katie), Amy Rud (Eric), Jason Redeker (Gail), Mike Wilking (Jen), Melissa Wilking-Busch (Corrie), Jenny Olszewski (Eric), Bryan Beaird and Adam Beaird.  Betty also had 25 great grandchildren.

Betty loved her family and extended family, planning reunions and celebrations of any kind as well as cooking, playing 500, polka music, polka dancing, and attending polka festivals in her camper. She also had a variety of careers that included: clerical, real estate, life insurance sales, operating restaurants as well as coordination of senior dining through the county.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th Street North, Oakdale, MN.  Visitation one hour prior to mass at the church.  Interment at 1:30 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” —Anonymous

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