Betty Grabanski

Having lived life to its fullest, Betty Jane Annette Grabanski (83) of Grand Forks, and formerly Inkster, ND passed away Monday evening at Essentia Health in Fargo. She was blessed to reside in her own home until the time of her death. She was born on November 10, 1937 in Grand Forks, the daughter of George and Jennie (Horneland) Davis. Betty lost her mother and two year old brother Harold in a tragic house fire in 1942; Betty suffered severe leg burns from the fire. With the loving determination and countless hours of help from her father, she learned how to walk again. Her father went on to marry Jennie’s sister, Osa Horneland, who would raise Betty along with her sister Ada and her brother George.

She attended elementary school in Grand Forks and junior high in East Grand Forks, winning the area spelling bee in 1950. The family moved to a farm by Larimore, where she was confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and graduated from Larimore High School. She met Leonard Grabanski at a dance and they were united in marriage on June 5, 1955 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Larimore. They farmed and lived north of Inkster for 50 years, raising seven children before retiring to Grand Forks, in 2006.

Betty was known far and wide for her musical abilities, centered around piano and accordion.  Despite her busy parenting years, Betty managed to attend the University of North Dakota for two years, working toward a degree in elementary music education.  She played by ear and could easily play any melody, from familiar hymns to polka and rag time songs for family and friends. She loved to entertain and drew in everyone around her to be part of the party! She especially loved engaging her children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children to enjoy music and to live life to its fullest.  She lived out her Christian faith through her compassion and encouragement to others. She had a wonderful sense of humor and ability to find joy and fun regardless of the circumstances.  She routinely opened her home to others and could easily turn most occasions into a party.

She was a long-time supporter of Faith Lutheran Church in Inkster, serving as the church organist for over 50 years while also supporting the congregation in numerous other roles, including Sunday School teacher, officer for Ladies Aide, and Sunday School Superintendent. Once Faith Lutheran became part of Turtle River Ministry (TRM), she served on the board and continued her music ministry throughout TRM. She was a long-time homemaker but worked briefly (5 yrs) at the Developmental Center in Grafton in Nutrition Services. She was very engaged in the Inkster community, spearheading many events in support of the church and community. She was proud to be a member of the Sons of Norway and celebrated her Norwegian heritage by routinely serving traditional foods and wearing traditional dress (her Norwegian bunad) for special events. She enjoyed playing with the North Valley Accordion Club and her church band (The E-band-gelicals). She loved to dance with Leonard throughout their 61 years of marriage.  Together they enjoyed visiting and playing cards with family and friends and spending time at the lake. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her special delight; she enjoyed playing with them, attending their events, (whether concerts, athletics or theatre), and engaging with them in games and fun activities. She was always “ready to go” whether to attend local events or distant travel. She vacationed with Leonard and other family in Florida and Hawaii, and visited relatives throughout the US (California, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Michigan and Montana) as well as Poland and Norway. Fulfilling a life-long dream, she visited the holy land of Israel in 2011. She dearly loved her extended family, enjoying winters at the home of her sister Ada (Percy Smerek) as well as visiting her brother and sister-in-law, George and Janice Davis. She extended her love to her nephews, nieces, cousins, and their families.

She is survived by her children; sons Daniel (Eileen), George (Laurie), Russell (Theresa), Raymond (Joan), Jon (Carla) and daughters Debra (Dean) Hanson and Julie (Hank) Grabanski-Roehrich as well as seventeen grandchildren; John Byram, Jennifer (Nick Bennett), Sarah (Jordan Coplin), and Michael (Alison) Byram, Taylor (Amy) Grabanski, Chance (Ariel) Grabanski, Kelsey (Alex Sherry), Shelby Grabanski, Bryce, Alex, Elijah, Isaac, Jordan, Josiah Grabanski, Brittany (Jason Conley), Sean Norton, (Cathleen), and Haley Norton; eleven great-grandchildren; Emma, Everly, Elinor, Maverick (Taylor), Jameson, Owen, Liam (Chance), Cyrus (Jennifer), Lucas (Sarah), Adeline, Carson (Brittany); sister Ada (Percy) Smerek and brother:  George (Janice) Davis.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harold, and her loving husband, Leonard.

A PUBLIC VISITATION will be held on Sunday, November 22 from 3:00-5:00 p.m at Bakke Funeral Home in Larimore; interaction with family members is available virtually.

A PRIVATE FUNERAL SERVICE will be held on Monday, November 23, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Larimore, with Pastor Percy Smerek and Pastor Mari Nyberg officiating.  Social distance and mask protocol will be expected.

Due to Covid 19, this funeral service will be live-streamed, beginning at 11 a.m., and posted online for viewing later, by going to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Larimore, ND Facebook page; also you can go directly to YouTube and search "Betty Grabanski

A recording of the service will also be posted on the Our Savior's Lutheran Church internet website.  Someone wishing to watch the recording can do so by first connecting to the church website and then clicking on the homepage "NEWS" tab.  Under the "NEWS" tab, there is an appropriately labeled link for the user to click on.

INTERMENT and a public CELEBRATION OF LIFE ceremony will be held in Inkster in the spring.