Betty Lou Caswell, 79, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2026, surrounded by her family, following a recent cancer diagnosis. Betty was born on March 22, 1947, to Bennie and Lily (Anderson) Torkelson of Trail, Minnesota.

Betty is survived by her loving husband of nearly 55 years, Joe; daughter Darcie (Jason); grandchildren Elise and Anja; sisters Edith and Margaret; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant son; her father and mother; and brothers Paul, Duane, and Leslie.

Betty worked for many years in bookkeeping, banking, and accounting in northwestern Minnesota before retiring to Virginia to live near Darcie and her family. She loved to dance with Joe, which they did whenever they were at an event with “music they could dance to.” She enjoyed sewing and was an avid quilter, her creations warming the homes of her family and friends. She loved her family unconditionally and was a wonderful mother and grandmother, always a cheerful supporter at school events and horse-riding lessons and competitions. (And she always had mints in her pocket to reward well-behaved horses.) She was a loving, caring, and authentic woman with no false pretenses. There was so much to love about Betty.

A gathering time for friends and family will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 1:00-3:00, at Johnson Funeral Services, 420 La Bree Avenue North, Thief River Falls, MN.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mary Washington Hospice in Fredericksburg, Virginia.