Betty Lou Bernice Waszut

life story

A Loving Legacy

A well-loved daughter, a happy wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, a brilliant teacher, and a stunning musician

About Betty Lou

Betty Lou Bernice (Kohnen) Waszut passed away in her home in Crystal, MN, on Monday, May 4, 2026, at age 91, surrounded by music, flowers, and family. Betty Lou was born on November 14, 1934, in Robbinsdale, MN, as the youngest child of Elvina Kohnen (Dressel) and John H. Kohnen. She was a remarkably bright and kind child, quickly learning all things academic and establishing a firm practice of The Golden Rule, with all of God’s creatures, especially cats, early on. Her musical prowess surfaced at a young age and grew exponentially with daily practice, unintentionally provided by her mother, who gave her the option to help clean or rehearse… she chose the accordion every time, as was apparent the rest of her life to anyone who heard her perform or visited her house (or could have a full conversation with her while she did!).

Her playing ability was singular, as demonstrated by the piece “Rumba Encantada,” written for her by the master musician Ralph Traficante, and arranged by Antonio Galla-Rini. By age 19, she had memorized 2500 songs. Despite her high level of training and reputation as a local phenomenon, or perhaps because of it, music was not something to be perfected and performed. Rather, it was an opportunity to express joy, engage the community, and expand networks of support and care. Anyone who cared to try, regardless of skill level or talent, was welcome to join in any jam session of which she was a part. “Everyone is welcome, and everyone is equal,” as she instilled in her family. Her participation in an accordion marching band and numerous musical groups was a source of great pride, but she took the greatest pleasure in making music with her family.

Betty Lou began her academic career in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated valedictorian of Robbinsdale High School in 1951, and if you noticed that wasn’t 18 years after her birth, you’d be correct! She went on to major in Social Studies Education and Mathematics at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, at age 15, graduating in 1955. It is important to note that Betty Lou was a proud member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. Immediately after graduation, Betty Lou began teaching at Excelsior Junior High, but quickly returned to UMN’s on-campus laboratory school, University High School, located in Peik Hall, to continue her graduate studies. Betty Lou earned two master's degrees in Child Psychology and Child Welfare in 1961 and 1963, respectively. However, her teaching career began at age 14, when she started instructing her peers at the Traficante Accordion School in Minneapolis (she continued teaching there for 9 years), then the Lake Street Accordion School followed by the Robbinsdale Accordion School. After receiving her master’s and establishing a foundational curriculum for Minneapolis Public Schools, she taught math and social studies to grades 7-12 at Brooklyn Center High School, pausing only when she finally had her rainbow baby. In 1980, Betty Lou returned to teaching at Northeast Middle School until 2000.

In the midst of all this, she met the love of her life, Raymond Joseph Waszut. Their first date - celebrating Halloween in Anoka as teens - was objectively terrible, as both Betty Lou would later relate. Ray was drafted shortly after into the US Army and served his country as a medic on the 38th parallel in Korea. They started dating shortly after Ray was honorably discharged and then became engaged. Although, in Betty Lou’s words, “the ring passed back and forth” for years, they became committed to building a life and family with one another. In later years, Betty Lou explained that they had already fought about everything they needed to, so they could easily accept the other exactly as they were. They were married on August 27, 1960, at Olivet Evangelical United Brethren Church. These two did everything together; road-tripping, camping, yardwork, boating, fishing, waterskiing, painting, roofing, making music, and being neighborhood parents to every kid that came within an arm’s reach of their front door. After 65 wonderful years of marriage together, Ray passed away in the home he and Betty Lou’s father had built. Betty passed 50 days and 7 minutes later. She felt him beside her the entire time.

If it isn’t already apparent, Betty Lou adored children. Part of this passion can be attributed to her exceptionally close relationship with her older sister, Elvina, who made her feel listened to and valued as a child. Betty Lou was always vocal in her desire for many, many children, but due to receiving substandard medical advice and care, she suffered through numerous miscarriages. For a time, she focused outwardly on being a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews, who loved her right back. Then, in 1969, she was blessed with her first and only child: Wendy Rae. Given the lifelong desire to be a mother, accompanied by years of studying child psychology, Betty Lou was an exceptional “curator of the childhood experience,” as confirmed by her two grandchildren, Isabelle and Aaron (plus literally every other child she met), in later years. One of her greatest joys was watching her family expand, and she was beyond delighted when her daughter brought her husband, Andrew Barrett, into the fold. She was entirely convinced that he was one of the babies she miscarried earlier in life, brought back to her by the grace of God. That warmest welcome was extended to her granddaughter’s spouse, Anna Marceau, whom she said, “completed the family.”

Betty Lou said that she spent half of her life getting angry and the other half apologizing for it. While her family has always agreed with her temper, we will mostly remember how many times she said she loved each one of us… and how many times she showed it. Betty Lou wanted to be remembered as “being a well-loved daughter, a happy wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, a teacher, and a musician.” She is. And she will be.

Betty Lou Bernice Waszut is survived by her daughter, Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett, and her son-in-law, Andrew Barrett, of Crystal, MN. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Isabelle & Anna Marceau of Madison, WI, and Aaron Barrett of Appleton, WI. We will carry on your legacy of immense joy and unconditional love for the rest of our lives. We love you.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

August 3, 2026

Pillager Community Center 207 E 2nd St, Pillager, MN 56473, USA

Following Betty Lou's Celebration of Life, a musical jam session will take place at their cabin. A private graveside service will be held in the fall. For more information contact Betty Lou's daughter.