Elizabeth "Betty" Mae was born May 16, 1929 to Axel and Alice (Butterworth) Hallan in Turtle Lake ND the oldest of 5 children.  She was the granddaughter of Hans and Thora Hallan who homesteaded north of Turtle Lake. She graduated valedictorian from Turtle Lake High School and attended ND State College of Science in Wahpeton where she met Allen Huelsman whom she married on May 16, 1949.

They made their life together living several towns, including Foxhome, MN, Mohall, Cando and since 1975 Turtle Lake ND where they raised their 13 children.   Betty stayed at home to raise her children until they were grown.  She then took a job as manager of the Turtle Lake Credit Union and took it from a savings institute in the back of the Legion Hall into a full service financial institute for main street Turtle Lake.  After retiring from the credit union she took a job helping out at the local library and later on as librarian.  While serving in this position she digitalized the library inventory and connected the library to the ND State Library system.  She also dealt black jack and called bingo for the local American Legion for charity.

Betty enjoyed bowling on different leagues and served as secretary.  One of her greatest volunteer contributions was her many years serving as secretary/treasurer for the Trojan Endowment Scholarship Fund board.  She was a 50 + year member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served in several offices including president. Besides enjoying bowling, she liked to read, crochet, working puzzles and learning and using the computer.  While in her 80's she was still taking on-line computer classes.  She was a member of St. Catherine's Altar Society and served as president for that organization.  She enjoyed her family tremendously and looked forward to every holiday when family could get together. She loved babies and was always excited to hold every new addition to the family which included 28 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.  Her husband, Allen passed away in 1999 after 50 years of marriage.  Betty passed away on October 14, 2020 at CHI St Alexius Health, Turtle Lake Hospital.

She is survived by her 6 daughters and sons in law and grandchildren, Cynthia and Dale Harkleroad, St Joseph MO, grandchildren Eric, Rick and Megan; Mary and Marv Anseth, Turtle Lake, grandchildren Melanie and Michelle; Teresa Halley, Sidney MT, grandchildren Garlen and Gabe; Susan Davis, Turtle Lake, grandchildren Matthew and Alaina; Kathy and David Hanson, Turtle Lake, grandchildren Melissa and Jennifer; Joan and Paul Walcker, Turtle Lake, grandson Derran; 7 sons and daughters in law, Richard and Char, Bismarck, grandchildren Mechelle, John, Teri and Nicole; Ray and Bonnie, San Diego, Ca, grandchildren Nolan and Karin; Duane, Turtle Lake, grandchildren Brett and Ashley; Roger, Mandan; David and Laurie, Williston, grandchildren Joseph, Joshua, Nicole, Melinda and Anthony; Jerome and Linda, Turtle Lake, grandchildren Michael, Jamie and Jessica; John, Davenport IA.  She was blessed with 45 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren whom she dearly loved. Betty is also survived by her brother and sister in law, Dean and Elvira Hallan and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arlo Huelsman, Raymond and Barb Huelsman, MaryAnn Althoff, Emma Huelsman and Roscoe Corell.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters, Donna Bagley and Carol Hofer and a brother, Dale Hallan.

A private family Mass will be held Saturday, October 24 at St. Catherines Catholic Church in Turtle Lake.

Memorials are preferred to be given to Allen and Elizabeth (Hallan) Huelsman scholarship managed through the Trojan Endowment Scholarship Fund or a charitable fund of the donor's choice.