Betty A. Petersen

Betty Ann (Heineman) Albus-Petersen, 89, of Bancroft, NE died on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at Franciscan Healthcare in West Point, NE. A memorial service for Betty will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft, NE; Pastor Nathan Henschen will be officiating. The visitation for Betty will be held on Wednesday beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Bancroft is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Bancroft Senior Center and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Bancroft. Betty was born in Lyons, NE, on December 5, 1931, the eleventh of thirteen children to John and Caroline (Einemann) Heinemann. She had many fond memories of growing up during the Depression and making do with what they had to entertain themselves. On April 18, 1954, Betty was united in marriage to Vernon Albus at West Point, NE. To this union four children were born. They were very active volunteers in the Bancroft community ready to lend a helping hand to neighbors at any time. The couple worked side by side on the farm North of Bancroft raising kids and animals until Vernon’s death in 1987. On April 29, 1989, she was married to Bert Petersen at Bancroft, NE. Together they traveled visiting extended family and exploring new places. She was an active member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and member of the Alter Guild. She was also a member of the Jolly Nieghbors and the Learn To Live (LTL) Extension Club and busy 4-H leader. She really enjoyed her 20 years as a librarian at the Bancroft Public Library and sharing her love of reading with all ages. She was a very talented artist who did not give herself enough credit. She never met a piece of weathered wood or blank surface she didn’t see the potential to paint on. Betty also enjoyed trying all kinds of craft techniques, collecting craft magazines and patterns, quilting, sewing, cooking, gardening, tracing the family tree, and going to auctions to look for vintage treasures. She spent many happy hours at the Bancroft Senior Center, volunteering in the kitchen, attending the Music Jams & other activities they hosted, and playing cards with the local gals. Several personal accomplishments Betty was proud of was, helping to start the Bancroft Public Library, returning to school to earn her high school diploma, receiving the Good Neighbor award with Vernon and being a very active blood donor. Her happiest moments were holding babies, chasing toddlers and teaching children. She loved visiting with her many sibling, their spouses, nieces and nephews where each conversation included several funny observations and from the belly laughter. Betty is survived by her sons, Ardean (LiLi) Albus of Hooper, NE, Blaine (Nancy) Albus of Bancroft, NE; daughters, Verna Jean (Rick) Eberhardt of Norfolk, NE, Caroline (Mike) Kraft of Blair, NE; twelve grandchildren, Traci Eberhardt-Haynes, Crystal Eberhardt, Sadie Eberhardt, Ty Eberhardt, Sarah Darville, Jennifer Albus, Katlynn Albus, Limen Xin, Adam Kraft, Madeline Kraft, Jacob Kraft, Michael Hofeldt, twenty-two great grandchildren and a great-great granddaughter Autumn Morrison. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon in 1987, husband Bert in 1997; brothers, Otto, Adolph, John, Bernhard, Walter, Clarence, George; sisters, Alice, Dorothy, Helen, Emma and Margaret.