Elizabeth A Manke

Lake Crystal Mortuary
648 S. Main Street
Lake Crystal, MN 56001
(507) 726-6161

Elizabeth "Bette" Anne Manke, age 91, of Lake Crystal, died Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Andrea Myers, officiating. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund, Lake Crystal Community Band, or donor's choice.

Bette was born at home on June 30, 1923 in Stanley, North Dakota to Milton J. and Audrey L. (Whittemore) Johnson. She attended country schools in North Dakota. They moved to Lake Crystal when she was nine years old. During her school years, she was very active with the Camp Fire Girls and played baritone in the high school band. She graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1942. On December 1, 1942 she married Fred Manke at the Zion Lutheran parsonage in Lake Crystal. She graduated from Mankato Teacher's College and taught school at Wilson Country School in Butternut Valley Township. She also taught school in Lafayette, Ivanhoe, and Winnebago.

Bette was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 294 of Lake Crystal, serving in many offices, including President 12 times between 1960 thru 1991. Bette was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, participating in ZLCW, the Rachel Circle, and quilting with the Mission Circle. She also held several offices in the Lake Crystal PTA.

She had an antique store in Lake Crystal for several years, was an Avon representative, and owned and operated Bette's Ready to Wear in Lake Crystal for several years.

She was a charter member of the Lake Crystal Community Band, playing trumpet. She was also a past member of the Minnesota Over 60 Band.

Bette is survived by three daughters, Lois (Don) Davis of Lake Crystal, Kathleen (Steve) Burnett of North Mankato, Kristeen (Roger) Asleson of rural North Mankato; son, Frederick "Rick" (Char) Manke of Lake Crystal; sister, Edyth Whitney of Good Thunder; grandchildren, Shannon (Jim) Gullickson, Tammy (Tom) Rossow all of North Mankato, Jay (Lisa) Davis of Plattsmouth, NE, Bill (Megan) Davis of rural Lake Crystal, Amy (Cameron) Haaland of Des Moines, IA, Andrea Asleson of Burnsville, Adam (Elizabeth) Asleson of Rio Rancho, NM, Aaron Asleson of Miltona, Todd Manke and Holly Manke of Lake Crystal; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Logan Davis, Sean and Erin Gullickson, Caleb, Caitlyn, and Colin Davis, Wyatt, Jacob, and Daniel Asleson; step great-grandsons, Chris and Chad Gullickson, Austin, Grant, and Nick Dethlefs; sisters-in-law, Josephine Knewtson of Good Thunder, Francis Truenow of Annandale, Arlene (Buck) Marquette of Buffalo; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Elaine) Manke of Annandale, MN, and Chris (Joan) Manke of Balsam Lake, WI; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred on November 27, 2013; brother-in-law, John Whitney.