Betty J. Holtan

Betty Jane Holtan was called to her eternal home on Saturday (November 7, 2026) at 98 years of age, at Meadow Lakes Senior Living in Rochester.

Betty Jane Josselyn was born August 11, 1928 in Rochester,MN to Lynn and Margaret (Heinz) Josselyn.  She was baptized and confirmed as a young adult and attended rural school  at Boardman Valley School through 8th grade.  She was enrolled at Central Jr. High School in 9th grade and Rochester HS, graduating in 1946. She attended Austin Teacher Training, graduating in 1947 and taught two years at District #27 (1947-1949) and two years at District #129 (Boelter District-1949-1950) in Rochester. Betty met Harvey Holtan dancing at the Armory in 1948. They were married June 16, 1950 at East St. Olaf Church in Rock Dell, MN.   Together they have five children--Wayne, Gail, Judy, Karen, and Sara.  They raised their family in Stewartville, Minnesota.  Betty was thankful she was able to stay at home and raise her family.  She kept busy with gardening, canning, sewing, cross stitching and the lost art of hardanger embroidery. Harvey was employed with Woodhouse Brothers Sheetmetal and Furnace Co. for 30 years until his retirement.   

Following their marriage in 1950, Harvey and Betty joined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church as charter members.  After moving to Stewartville, they joined Zion Lutheran Church.  Betty was an active member of Zion Lutheran’s Womens Circle and volunteered for weekday religion classes. Betty also served with Harvey with the Senior Citizen Couples Club, Lutheran Brotherhood’s “Friends in Need”, volunteered at Good Earth Village with building projects, and volunteered at Bardwell Christian Ranch with youth camps. Betty and Harvey moved to Rochester when Harvey retired in 1990. They joined Zumbro Lutheran Church, which remained their church home.  While members of Zumbro Lutheran , Betty and Harvey served as tour guides for the Senior Couples Club for several years. In 2007, they moved to The Homestead at Rochester, which is a senior living facility built on the farm site Betty’s parents owned. She enjoyed commenting she had “moved back home”.  In January 2026, they moved to Meadow Lakes Senior Living.Betty and Harvey enjoyed dancing and traveling to different states on bus tours.  They have been blessed with 76 years of marriage.

Betty is survived by 1 son and 4 daughters – Wayne (Laura) Holtan of San Diego, CA;  Gail (John) Gillard of Hutchinson, MN;  Judy Braatz of Rochester, MN;  Karen Reeves of Olathe, KS;  Sara (Don) Andreen of Rochester;  14 Grandchildren – Jonathan Holtan (Alex Reiff), Erik (Sophia) Holtan, Megan Holtan, Melissa (Adam) Runk, Kristen (John) Keaveny, Jennifer (Michael) Hicks, Tim (Kara) Gillard, Lindsay (Max) Johnson, Kelsey (Cole) Fredrickson, Adam Reeves, Danielle (Blake) Scism, Cody (Sadie) Reeves, Chris Andreen, Zach (Destiny) Andreen; 18 great grandchildren;  2 sisters – Marlynn (Jerry) Brown and Marge Heckman, 1 brother -  Ron Josselyn and many nieces and nephews.  Betty was preceded in death by her husband – Harvey Holtan on September 9, 2026, her parents – Lynn and Margaret Josselyn, 3 brothers – Richard Josselyn, Lowell Josselyn, Larry Josselyn,  1 sister – Genevieve Sorenson and 1 son-in-law,  Craig Reeves.

Betty’s funeral service will be on Monday (November 16, 2026) at 1:00 PM at Zumbro Lutheran Church (624 3rd Ave SW, Rochester) with  Rev. Tim Rotman officiating.  A time of  visitation for family and friends will begin at 12:00 pm. until time of service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville. Memorials are preferred to  Seasons Hospice in Rochester, MN. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray FH in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Betty are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty J. Holtan, please visit our floral store.