Betty Lou Rodman

Betty Lou Rodman   Betty Rodman went home to meet her Lord and Savior face to face on July 6, 2018.  She was born December 18, 1928 to Anna Mathilda and Cornelius Brunell in Roseau, Minnesota.  She grew up surrounded by a large extended Swedish/Norwegian family.  She graduated from Central Minneapolis High School in 1947.  Betty enrolled in Trinity Bible College in Chicago, Illinois and received her degree in Biblical Studies in 1953.  It was there that a handsome, young seminary student caught her eye.  She and George courted and were married in Los Angeles on June 12, 1954.  They welcomed their first born, Jane in 1958, and their second daughter, Julie in 1960.  In 1965 they moved to Fresno where George continued his education.  In 1968 they made Visalia their home where they have resided for 50 years.  They were blessed by their church family at First Baptist Church (Gateway) where they served and made many close and dear friendships which lasted all these years. Betty was a homemaker but worked various jobs in sales and real estate.  She was a member of the Acorn Garden Club and Assistance League of Visalia.  What she enjoyed most in life was spending precious time with her family, finding new recipes, gardening, traveling anywhere, shopping, her Scandinavian heritage, a cup of coffee with a cookie, all things beautiful, and bringing a smile to others. She is survived by George, her beloved husband of 64 years, daughters Jane Alfano and Julie Whitlock (Michael), granddaughters Elizabeth Alfano, Nikki Gilman (Daniel) and Jacquie Whitlock, and great-grandson Graham George Gilman.  She is also survived by her younger brothers Douglas Brunell (Jo) and Dale Brunell (Shirley), as well as many nieces and nephews. All who were close to Betty will dearly miss her love, smile and feisty sense of humor.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Gateway Church in Visalia on Saturday, July 21 at 10:00am.  We would like to extend our deep gratitude to the wonderful staff at Magnolia Park Assisted Living for caring for Mom as though she was their own.  “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of this is love.”  1 Cor. 13:12-13.Arrangements by Hadley-Marcom Funeral Chapel of Visalia