Betty Jo (Hash) Monroe

Betty Jo (Hash) Monroe was born in Grayson County Virginia on January 31, 1940, to William McKinley “Kenny” Hash and Cora (Mays) Hash.  She was the youngest of 6 children. Her parents worked as sharecroppers and Betty spent her younger years on a few different farms in Virginia spending most of her time with her older sisters. She attended school in Rural Retreat, Viriginia, graduating in 1957, and then attended West Virginia College of Business, graduating in 1958.  Upon graduating she became employed as a secretary for the Department of the Navy in Washington DC where she worked in support of five Naval architects. During this time, she had high security clearance with the U.S. government. It was also here she met Donald and Mary Monroe, who introduced her to Don’s brother Robert (Bob). They began dating and he eventually proposed to her under the spring cherry blossoms in Washington, DC. They were married at Foundry Methodist Church in Washington DC on August 20, 1960. They made their home in Chevy Chase, Maryland until October 1963.  During this time two children were born, Alan in 1961 and Paul in 1963.

Betty and Bob moved to Aitkin, Minnesota in November 1963 just in time for winter.  As Betty was born and raised in Virginia, she had once wondered to her mother what it would be like to live where there was snow in the wintertime. She embraced winter, and never regretted moving north. Two more children, Cindi and Scott were born in 1967 and 1972 respectively.  Betty devoted this time to being a mother and housewife. In 1978, she took the position of office secretary at First Lutheran Church, working there until 1988.  She then began working as a legal secretary for the Hudson Law Office.  She continued in this job until 2003 when she retired. Even while working, she still found time to be involved in her children’s activities in and out of school.

Betty actively embraced Minnesota life and loved coffee parties with fellow mothers, friends and family. She also enjoyed gardening, crafting, boating, snowmobiling, the North Shore of Lake Superior, and even the snow! Betty was an active member in First Lutheran Church. Besides serving as secretary she was also LCW president and served several terms on church council over the years.  She was an active member of Woodland Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron several terms and as Grand Martha for Minnesota Grand Chapter in 1973.  She also held several offices or stations in Woodland Chapter as well as serving as their secretary for 15 years.

Betty always had polite graciousness, but Bob often said she was his Steel Magnolia - she had the strength and determination to deal with life’s challenges, never losing her grace. This was especially evident in her long battle with cancer. A devout reader of the Bible, she long stated she was completely at peace with God’s plan for her.

Betty is survived by her husband Bob, sons Alan (Penny), Paul (Leigh) and Scott (Sue) and daughter Cynthia (Rob), her grandchildren Erin Pollock, Mark, Matthew, Kelly and Leona Monroe, Skylar Kelly, Aliyah and Layla Fayaz, Great Grandchildren Adrianne and Michael Pollock.

Services will be  Saturday, November 2 at 11 AM in First Lutheran Church, Aitkin with Pastor Reggie Denton officiating.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at a later date in Forest Lake Cemetery, Milaca.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit: www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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