Betty L. Dahlgren

A funeral service for Betty L. (Erickson) Dahlgren will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bertrand, Nebraska with Reverend Kenton Birtell officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery at Bertrand, with Pastor John Strackbein officiating, followed by lunch at the Bertrand Community Building.

Betty Louise (Erickson) Dahlgren of Bertrand, passed from this life on August 1, 2026, at the Bertrand Nursing Home. She was 85 years of age.  Betty was born in Holdrege, Nebraska on May 30, 1941, the eldest and only daughter of the nine children, born to Wallace and Colette (Schneider) Erickson and was also blessed to have three older half-brothers. She was baptized and confirmed into the faith at All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, then joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church and most recently Immanuel Lutheran Church, both in Bertrand. She was educated entirely at Holdrege Public Schools, graduating in 1959. On May 30, 1962, her 21st birthday, she was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Dahlgren in Holdrege and to this union four children were born: Karen, Andy, Gregg and Mike.

Betty worked in the family business, Erickson Electric, in Holdrege for several years and worked as a carhop at Cross L Drive Inn. She then worked at First Security Bank in Holdrege before moving to Colorado after marriage. She was employed at First National Bank of Denver, then at Mercantile Bank and Trust of Boulder until beginning a family. After the family had grown, she worked making crafts at Betsy's Bobbins in Loomis, then worked at Noble Drug and Patty's Hallmark Cards in Holdrege, and worked part-time as a bailiff at the Phelps County Courthouse.

Betty enjoyed playing bridge with several different bridge groups. She was a founding member of the NN Club and was active for about 35 years and a founding member of the Viking Booster Club. She was a member of Town and Country Extension Club, a member of the governing board at the Bertrand Nursing Home, a board member of the Phelps County Library and was on the board at Phelps Memorial Hospital. She served as a volunteer at Bertrand Community School and was a vital part of the Bertrand Community Volunteers making improvements to Bertrand. She coordinated the Bertrand baseball concessions for many years, helped start the annual Bertrand Flea market, and was a founder of the Walk Down Medina event which takes place yearly during Bertrand Days.

Betty really enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in athletics and extracurricular activities and was very proud of their accomplishments (and the loudest and most competitive person in the stands!). She especially enjoyed any type of card and board games; a trait inherited from her parents which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Betty loved being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

Betty is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert Dahlgren of Bertrand; their children: Karen and husband, Quintin Schonewise of Lawrence, KS; Robert Andrew (Andy) and wife, Lona of Bertrand; Gregg and wife, Kristen of Kearney, Nebraska; and Michael (Mike) and wife, Stacy of Kearney; eleven grandchildren: Lillian Schonewise Webb and husband, Russell; Olivia Schonewise and Wolfgang Schonewise; Brooke Gengenbach and husband, Blake; Ryan Dahlgren, Halle Clare and husband, Danny; Madeline Dahlgren and her fiancé, Jonathan Moats; Elle and Jack Dahlgren; and Lyla and Maddox Dahlgren; and three great-grandchildren: Emerson, Vivian and Gracyn Gengenbach; her brothers: Wallace "Ed" Erickson and wife, Janice of Holdrege; Mark Erickson and wife, Alice of Wellington, Kansas; Thomas Erickson and wife, Deb of Lincoln; and Donald Erickson and wife, Susan of Holdrege; sisters-in-law: Charlotte Erickson of Lincoln; Pat Erickson of Dixon, California; Judy McDonald of Kearney; Jane Tonjes and husband, Hank of Kearney; and Marlene Dahlgren of Bertrand; along with many extended relatives.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents: Wallace and Colette Erickson; brothers: James Erickson, John "Jack" Erickson, Gerard "Jerry" Erickson, and Timothy (infant); half-brothers: Harold Erickson and wife, Val; Lavern "Chink" Erickson and wife, Norma; and Roy "Buss" Erickson; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Vernon and Mary Dahlgren; and brothers-in-law: Gary Dahlgren and John McDonald.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bertrand. Betty has requested a closed casket.

Memorials honoring Betty can be made out to the Bertrand Nursing Home.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.