Date of Birth:
Tuesday, March 17, 1931
Date of Death:
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Age:
85 years old

Elizabeth “Betty” J. O’Connor

Elizabeth Julema (Hardman) O’Connor, also known as Betty, passed away in her home that she shared with her daughter in Rochester, MN, on Thursday, November 10, 2016 from a long struggle with Vascular Dementia. She was 85 years old.

Betty was born on March 17, 1931 in Moultrie, Georgia to Glenn Marcus and Katherine Virginia (Sadler) Hardman. She had one younger brother who was stillborn. As a very young child, her family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida where she attended school and graduated from Palm Beach High. After high school, Betty enlisted in the Air Force. From 1952-1954 she served as a Ground Electronics Technician in the 3384th Technical Training Squadron and received a National Defense Service Medal.

Betty married her first husband, Thomas J. O’Connor, in May of 1954, while still in the Air Force. After marriage she became a housewife and the two had eight wonderful children together. After her divorce in October 1978, Betty went back to school and obtained her Nursing Assistant diploma. While working full-time she continued her education, and, in 1980, became a Licensed Practical Nurse; then, in 1990, a Registered Nurse (RN). She worked for Mayo Clinic at Rochester Methodist Hospital and spent her entire career in dermatology. Betty was an exceptional nurse and her patients loved her as much as she loved them. She retired in 1994.

Betty remarried a pharmacist, Robert S. Martin, in January 1982. They were married less than three years but dated for almost 30 years after their divorce in October 1984.

Betty will be remembered for being a strong, loving woman and mother. She adored cars and always had one or two around the house. She was an avid member of the Rochester Senior Citizen Center and believed in helping those less fortunate.

Betty is survived by her children; Vince (Ann Harris) of Ely, MN; Joe (Cory Ofstead) of St. Paul, MN; Steve (Marsha) of Plainview, MN; Bernard (Dawn) of St. Paul, MN; Iggy (Pam Kelly) of Winona, MN; Therese of Rochester, MN; Bernadette Nierman of Austin, MN; and Chris (Alice) of Sherburn, MN; 16 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; cousins Emily Dickey of Macon, GA; Gina Taylor; Ewell Hardman; Dan Hardman; and Jerry Hardman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcus Hardman and Katherine Hightower; her brother; her ex-husband, Bob Martin; and great-grandson, Gabriel Peach.

A visitation will take place at Macken Funeral Home, River Park Chapel on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The funeral service will be celebrated Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:00am in the Timothy Chapel at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service with a luncheon following. Pastor Karen Foster will be officiating. Interment of ashes will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, MN at a later date.

In remembrance of Betty, memorials may be sent to the Rochester Senior Citizen Center (now renamed 125 LIVE), 125 Elton Hills Drive N.W., Rochester, MN 55901 or online at 125livemn.org.