Burton and Loraine Betow

Burton C. Betow, 1924 -
Loraine M. Neumann, 1924 -

Pastor Burton Betow was born at Rural, Myrtle, Minnesota, June 4, 1924, and grew up in St. Ansgar, Iowa. He was one of four children born to Frank and Ida Westrum Betow. Loraine was born at Rural, Plainview, Minnesota, November 3, 1919. Loraine was an only child born to Edward and Laura Neimann Neumann.
They were married at Loraine's home congregation, Immanuel Lutheran, Plainview, Minnesota, August 3, 1952, with her pastor, the Rev. Theodore Shoewe and her uncle, the Rev. Otto Neumann, officiating. In 1992, the Betows marked Pastor's 40th year of ordination in the
holy ministry and their 40th wedding anniversary. They were introduced to each other by a seminary classmate while "Burt" was visiting the classmate at Plainview following their vicarages in 1951. The Betows have no children.
The Betows came to St. John's by way of a call to serve at St. John's in February 1984. Pastor served here through August of 1987 at which time the two retired and moved to Laveta, Colorado. Loraine was a regular member of the choir and the ladies' organizations and directed the choir.
Pastor Betow is an avid maker of badges that carry spiritual, retiree, humorous, patriotic and holiday messages. He has always considered his badges to be a witness and an extension of ministry wherever he goes. He does not (even in retirement) get to fish as often as he would like. He has always had a flair for writing poems and hymn verses and in 1992 completed a 48 lesson correspondence course in writing.
Loraine is an accomplished gardener wherever she lives. She took art lessons while in Nashville and now also in Laveta. She enjoys walking and biking.
The Betows began ministry at Elk City, Oklahoma, in August 1952; they have also served congregations in Illinois, Minnesota and Kansas. Having had his ministry interrupted with illness for fourteen years, the Betows spent seven of those years at Bethesda Lutheran Home, Watertown, Wisconsin, in the Public Relations Department. Pastor Betow is a World War II veteran having served in the glider troops of the 17th and 82nd Airborne Divisions of the U.S. Army

Source: St. John's Lutheran Church Centennial, Nashville, KS. 1883 - 1983,
pg. 24.

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