In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association of MN and ND, www.alz.org/mnnd/1(952)-830-0512, Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota, 4550 West 77th St, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55435 Elizabeth Jule 'Betty' Payne was born on July 30, 1931, in Manannah, Minnesota, to Tobias and Lucille (McCarney) Foley. Betty grew up in the Eden Valley and Litchfield area and graduated from Litchfield High School with the Class of 1949. Betty lived and worked in Willmar until her marriage to Albert 'Bud' Payne on January 6, 1951. The young couple lived in Benson with Bud's parents until February, 1952. They moved to a farm outside Hancock where they farmed and raised livestock. Together they raised eleven children, six girls and five boys, with patience and love. During the early years, Betty worked nights at the nursing home in Hancock. During their life on the farm, she baked (especially bread), cooked, canned, gardened, and dressed chickens. Her squash and apple pies were favorites. She made wine, hooked rugs, loved doing puzzles, enjoyed walking, and took community education classes in typing, ceramics, and sewing for her children's clothing. In 1982, Betty and Bud sold their farm, moved to Starbuck and built their dream home with the help of all their family and neighbors. Betty worked at the University of Minnesota, Morris, first in the Food Service and then in the US Post Office until her retirement in 1996. After Betty's retirement, Bud and Betty took a trip to Alaska and a family trip to Ireland. Betty was known for loving all sports and attending her children's sporting events as well as all of the band and choir concerts. Throughout the years, she especially loved to watch the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Betty loved playing a variety of card games. In her later years, she played many games of solitaire on the computer. She was a woman of strong love and faith, with Bud being the love of her life and a rosary as her constant companion. Betty's ability to endure trials and her quiet strength are a few of the precious gifts she gave to her family. She passed away peacefully in their home on September 26, 2010, after watching the Vikings win. She attained the age of 79 years, 1 month and 26 days. Betty is survived by her husband Albert 'Bud' of Starbuck; her children: Kathy Payne of Minnetonka, Becky Payne of Minnetonka, Warren Payne (Ginger Schneider) of Lake City, David (Sue) Payne of Hibbing, Daniel (Gayle) Payne of Morris, Marg (Tom) Schmitz of Rosholt, SD, Brian (Kristi) Payne of Princeton, Christine (Keith) Rieckman of Willmar, Brenda (Steve) Payne-DeMorett of Sartell, Rob (Maureen) Payne of Freeport, and Stephanie Payne (fiancé Marcus Howard) of Edina; 23 grandchildren: Jennifer (Joe) Fort, Melissa Payne, Tony (Leah) Payne, Karey (Jason Strege) Payne, Josh (Andrea) Payne, Joe (Sarah) Payne, Dawn (Sam) Weigel, Jeff Schmitz, Paul Schmitz, Nathan (Stacy) Payne, Jeremy (MaKayla) Payne, Tyler (Stephanie) Payne, Ryan Rieckman, Brandon Rieckman, Ben DeMorett, Connor DeMorett, Evan DeMorett, Logan Payne, Becca Schmitz, Logan Schmitz, Katana Howard, Quarrille Howard, and Nokoma Howard; 7 great grandchildren: Eva Fort, Amelia Payne, Warren Payne, Lexington Payne, Jack Payne, Dylan Keim, and Mason Rach; her brothers and sisters: Jim (Mabel) Foley of Litchfield, Mary Alice Walsh of Hastings, and Paul (JoAnn) Foley of Richmond. Preceding her in death were her parents, Tobias 'Toby' and Lucille 'Lucy' Foley, sister Mary Patricia Foley, brother-in-law Clarence Walsh, and Betty's unborn infant.
