Betty Jeanine (Johnson) Onken

In Loving Memory of

Betty Jeanine Onken

Betty Onken was born on July 18, 1929, in Tea, South Dakota, to Reiner and June Madden Johnson.  The family later moved to Iona, MN where Betty graduated from Fulda High School in 1946. After graduation Betty moved to Slayton and worked at Murray County State Bank in Slayton.  On July 18, 1948, she and Kenneth “Ken” Onken were married at the Slayton Presbyterian Church.  Following their marriage, they made their home in St. Cloud, MN until 1953 when they moved to Thief River Falls.  While in Thief River Falls, Betty attended Northland Community College.  In 1975 they returned to Slayton, MN.  Betty and Ken enjoyed spending their winters in Gulf Shores, AL.  Betty loved making Sally Ann cookies, and for 68 years at Christmas she would bake gingerbread cookies for her growing family.  Ken passed away on August 5, 2013.  In 2018 Betty moved to Sunrise Terrace in Slayton.  Due to failing health in August 2025 Betty moved to Prairie View Healthcare Center in Tracy and on February 17, 2026, she moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton where she passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the age of 96.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where she was a member of the Dorcas Society.  Betty was an active member of the Slayton Community serving as past Secretary of the Worthington Circuit Missionary Society, hospice volunteer, past President of the Monday Study Club, Women’s Golf Association, A.C.E. volunteer, served as Election Judge and worked at the Murray County Fair for many years.  Betty enjoyed family and church activities, needlework, playing cards, volunteering, Library Book Club, and coffee time with friends at the Slayton Bakery and Sunrise Terrace. 

Survivors include her five children and their spouses, Steven and Shirley of West Fargo, ND, Laurie Marks of Alexandria, MN, Bradley  and Gina of Hayden, ID, Julie and Brad Billison of Flower Mound, TX, and David and Deb of Hadley, MN, 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Mathew and Jen Onken, John Marks and special friend, Kim Scott, Scott and Nicole Onken, Stephanie and Nathan Vos, Christopher and Deena Marks, Ashley and Ryan Harris, Danielle and Jarod Murray, Katlin and James Verlautz, Rebecca and Steven Arango, and Joshua and Amanda Onken, and many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and one step-great-great-grandchild.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ken Onken, and two sisters, Adris Pyle and Arlene Muse.

Funeral Services

Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jeffrey Williams officiating.  The organist is Kathy Schwartz with special music by Judy Onken LaBoda.  The pallbearers are her grandchildren.  Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN. 

 Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday.  Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool, Murray County Hospice or charity of choice.  To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Jeanine (Johnson) Onken, please visit our floral store.