Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

Bette Eknes, 87, of Moose Lake died Oct. 2, 2020, in St. Cloud, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Ernest and Beth Kreitlow on June 9, 1933. As a child, she moved to Moose Lake, where she attended Moose Lake High School. Bette was very proud to have been a cheerleader and majorette, keeping her baton twirling skills into adulthood.

On Nov. 22, 1952, Bette married William "Bill" Eknes in Moose Lake. They lived in Cloquet, where Bette worked as a telephone operator. She also was a homemaker and a caretaker for her sister, Clio, through the years.

Bette attained a real estate license while living in Brainerd. Later in life, Bette and Bill moved back to Moose Lake, the town which truly owned her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Beth; son, Bruce Eknes; brother, "Buzz" Kreitlow; and sisters, Dolores Richmond and Clio Kreitlow.

She will be deeply missed by her husband of 67 years, William; four children, Beth (Steve) Wilson, Bill Jr. (Paul) Eknes-Tucker, Brenda (Joel) Roff, and Bret (Cindy) Eknes; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; daughter-in-law, Cindy Eknes; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gathering of family and friends: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service Saturday, Oct. 10 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. Inurnment will follow the service in Riverside Cemetery, Moose Lake.

Pine Knot News, Oct. 9, 2020