Betty Ann Gruetzmacher

Betty Ann Gruetzmacher, of Shakopee, passed away on January 22, 2026 at the age of 88. She will be missed by her loving family.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Road) in Shakopee. A Christian Funeral will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Fish Lake (20200 Fairlawn Avenue) in Prior Lake. Rev. Dr. Brent Parrish will preside, and Betty Ann's grandchildren will act as urn bearers. Betty will be laid to rest with her husband Myron at Valley Cemetery in Shakopee.

Betty Ann Snell was born on May 29, 1937, to Edwin and Dora Snell. She started her faith journey at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fish Lake where she was baptized and later confirmed. Betty grew up in Lydia with her three younger siblings Barbara Jean, Doug, and David. During her childhood she spent many hours enjoying Fish Lake at the Snell family cabin.

She was a graduate of the Class of 1955 from Jordan High School where she made many lifelong friendships. Following high school, she went onto nurses training at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis and obtained her LPN nursing degree. She started her working career at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis. She met Myron Gruetzmacher a young man from Belle Plaine, MN and they soon became a happy couple. Myron and Betty were married on November 8, 1958, in Fish Lake. They made their first home in Richfield, MN, it was there that their first son Kevin was born. They eventually moved to their home on Scott Street in Shakopee where they would go onto welcome another son Mark and a daughter Janene. Life on Scott Street was Betty’s dream come true. It was there that they raised their family and she kept busy with all the activities of the three kids, something she was always so happy to be part of. She moved her nursing career to St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee which at that time was just down the street from their home. She had a very long and rewarding career at the hospital, retiring in 1996.

Following retirement Betty was excited to add the title Grandmother and was happy to spend time with her grandchildren and later great grandchildren. Myron and Betty purchased a cabin on Lake Inguadona in Longville, MN, a place where many precious family memories were made. Betty had been the gambling auditor for the Shakopee Lions Club for over 20 years a part-time job she enjoyed. She was also a very avid card player and spent over 65 years playing with her and Myron’s card club family. Following Myron’s death Betty moved to a townhome on Vierling Dr. in Shakopee which she enjoyed until the time of her death. Betty became what she referred to as a “Cabin Hopper” having the opportunity to spend time at each of her children’s lake cabins up north Minnesota and Wisconsin each summer. She also enjoyed shopping, watching her family’s sporting and school events and was a very fashionable person.

Betty’s family, church, and friends were the highlights of her life.

Betty is survived by her children, Kevin (Lisa) Gruetzmacher, Mark (Joan) Gruetzmacher, Janene (Chris) Meyer; grandchildren, Karl (Becky) Gruetzmacher, Josef (Hannah) Gruetzmacher, Missy (Jesse) Hardel, Dustin (Krissy) Harstad, Amara (Matt) Ekman and Jonah (Gina) Meyer; great-grandchildren, Royce, Hunter, Avery, Aubrie, Harlie, Paul, Ryder; siblings, Barb Will and Doug (Carol) Snell; many other loving relatives and friends.

She was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Myron Gruetzmacher; parents, Edwin & Dora Snell; brother, David Snell; brother-in-law, Warren Will.