Betty Lucille Florence (Irwin) Tonneson, 96, passed away peacefully on June 19. She was born in her home, on the kitchen table, in Minneapolis on October 4, 1925 to Melvin and Celestine (Houglum) Irwin. Like many families of the Depression era, Betty’s moved often, living in Minneapolis, Robbinsdale and Brooklyn Center. The loss of her mother at age 13 coupled with her family’s struggles forged within Betty a determination and strength that lasted her whole life. She was a deeply faithful Christian. Betty attended Patrick Henry High School until her father’s move to California prompted her to obtain her high school diploma from St. Louis Park High night school and enroll in the Minnesota School of Business. Her career path included Marsh McLennan, Travelers Insurance, General Mills and Minneapolis City Hall, where she got to know the city’s movers and shakers. Betty often reminisced about the wedding china gifted to her by the city council aldermen. At the top of the City of Minneapolis stenography and typing pool, in the 1970s–80s she often returned to City Hall to fill in as a temp, typing correspondence and taking shorthand at city council meetings under Mayors Hofstede and Fraser. Betty is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, John Rolf Tonneson, sister Phyllis Marguerite (Irwin) Johnson, brother Ralph Earl Irwin, half brother Patrick M. Irwin, and daughter Martha Lea (Derus) Olson. She is survived by half brother Mel Seth Irwin (s. Cecilia Muñoz Irwin), daughter Margaret Lou (Derus) King (s. David King), son Thomas Rolf Tonneson, daughter Louise Catherine Tonneson Rodriguez (s. Sergio Luis Rodriguez), son David Irwin Tonneson, granddaughters Gabrielle Luisa, Cecilia Madeline and Anneliese Ofelia Rodriguez, Eva Elizabeth Tonneson, and numerous other grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral Service Tuesday, July 12th 11 a.m. at Gill Brothers Funeral Home 5801 Lyndale Ave. So. Minneapolis, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.