Elizabeth Oakland

Elizabeth "Betty" Oakland, 87, Reynolds, ND, died Friday, July 22, 2011 in Altru Hospital of Grand Forks, ND. Elizabeth Jones was born on Sunday, February 17, 1924 in Plymouth, England, the only child of W.T.E. and Nellie Jones. In December 1941, she enlisted in the WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) and served in the photographic unit until March 1945. She was then employed as relief librarian for a national circulating library, covering a four county area. Betty and Ben Oakland met in 1944 at Henley-on-Thames, England were he was stationed with the U.S. Army. In June of 1950, she came to the U.S. to visit Ben and his family. They where married in Seattle, WA in January of 1951. Betty was a member of the Sarles Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School for 16 years, belonged to the Ladies Aid and was one of the church organists for more than 30 years. After Ben died in 1983, Betty worked as a library aide and reader for grades 1-4 in the Sarles Elementary School and later in Border Central School in Calvin, ND. She started a Community Library in the Sarles Legion Hall. She also was a correspondent for the Towner County Record Herald, and was site manager for Sarles Senior Meals for several years. In October 2002, she moved to Reynolds, ND with her son, Graham and his wife, Jane and their sons. She continued her favorite activities of watching the birds and tending her flowers. Betty also continued with her music; she was one of the organists at St. Olaf Church near Reynolds. Most recently, Elizabeth resided at Tufte Manor, Grand Forks, where she enjoyed making new friends with residents and staff. Betty is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Joe) Pederson, Mohall, ND; sons, David (Maggie) Oakland, Grand Forks and Graham (Jane) Oakland, Reynolds, ND; grandsons, Nathan Pederson, Helena, MT, Zachary Oakland and Thomas Oakland, Reynolds, ND; granddaughter, Noelle Pederson, San Diego, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers