Elizabeth "Betty" J. Rancourt

Elizabeth “Betty” Joan Rancourt, 92, of Hibbing passed away in her home on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Betty was born to William and Ida Pelto on January 2, 1933, at home in Elmer, Minnesota. She was raised in the Elmer/Meadowlands area until the age of 13 when her family moved to Duluth.

Betty met the love of her life and married Earl Paul Rancourt, on June 30, 1949. The couple moved to Hibbing where they built their house and made their home. Betty and Earl spent the early years raising 5 lively boys and took pride in watching each boy marry their forever wives. They taught their boys how to be good people and to be good family men. The 5 boys learned love from the best examples. The couple enjoyed a tight bond with best friends, Norman and Vi Holm and Bob and Emily Jacobson. Camping together occupied most of their summers. You would often find the couples at each other’s homes. In later years Betty took a job delivering mail on a rural mail route, mostly in the Side Lake area. After retirement, Earl would join Betty on the country roads delivering mail. Betty and Earl were married for 66 years and 8 months until Earl’s passing in 2015.

Family was always the most important and the driving force in Betty’s life. She loved being a Mom, a Grandma, a Great Grandma and a Great-Great Grandma. Her long life can be attributed to her positive attitude. As she aged and slowed down, she never complained.” You get up, stand upright (as upright as you can) and do what you can. Move it or lose it! It’s better than the alternative.”

Betty is survived by sons, Steven (Cheryle) Rancourt, Hibbing, MN; Kenneth (Stephanie) Rancourt, Hibbing, MN ; Edwin “Ted” (Patty) Rancourt, Bovey, MN; Timothy (Molly) Rancourt, Chaska, MN; Russell (Jean) Rancourt, Apple Valley, MN; Grandchildren, Steven Jr. (Amy) Rancourt, Hibbing, MN; Toni Rancourt, Eveleth, MN; Benjamin (Julia) Rancourt, Raleigh, NC; Nicholas Rancourt, Unity, ME; Amber Rancourt George, Twin Cities, MN; Aaron (Tammy) Hughes, Hibbing, MN; Tiffany (Christian) Sande, Sartell, MN; Joseph (Amanda) Rancourt, Excelsior, MN; Breanna Rancourt, Minnetonka, MN; Callie Rancourt, Rochester, MN; Great Grandchildren, Marcy, Rachael, Cady, Shelby, Cole, Gionna, Arianna, Gemma, Emma; and Great- Great Grandchildren, Ryan, Nathan, Joseph and Felix.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Earl, and her brothers, Clifford Pelto, Phillip Pelto and Lloyd Pelto. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your charity of choice.

A Memorial service will be held at the Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing at 12:00 pm on May 5, 2025. Visitation will be from 11:00 - 12:00. Deacon Richard Johnston will be officiating, and the burial will take place following the service at the Maple Hill Cemetery.