BETTY L. RIORDAN
March 8, 1925 – September 25, 2011
 

Betty L. Riordan, age 86 of Park Rapids, MN entered into eternal life on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN with her loved ones at her side.
Betty was born on March 8, 1925 in Huntington Beach, CA to Edward and Dorothy (West) Callier. As a child, she moved with her family to Blythe, CA where she attended school and grew into womanhood. After graduating high school, Betty attended the Mercy College of Nursing in San Diego. The first position she accepted in her nursing career took her to the Herlong Army Base near Susanville, CA. It was there that she met and fell in love with a young doctor, John F. Riordan. The two were united in marriage on June 14, 1948. This union was blessed with a daughter, Rena. The young couple made their home in Northern CA for several years until moving to Indiana. Betty devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her daughter and husband. She also pursued her nursing career and worked at the Methodist Hospital in Gary and Merrilville, Indiana in a career that spanned over 30 years. In their retirement, Betty and John moved to a home on Big Sand Lake near Park Rapids, MN. She loved spending as much time as possible outdoors on their beautiful lake property. Betty enjoyed raising her beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. She had a profound love for animals and especially enjoyed her faithful dog, Belle. In her later years, she had volunteered a great deal of her time to help in the fundraising for the new Headwaters Animal Shelter. She was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids. In her spare time, Betty enjoyed collecting Hummels and Precious Moments figures as well as working with ceramics. She was a member of the “Red Hatters”. Above all, Betty devoted her life to her husband, her daughter and her granddaughters who she loved with all her heart.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Rena Mears and her husband, Peter Walker of San Francisco; two granddaughters: Rachel Mears and her husband, Farzin Firooznia of Eastchester, NY and Sarah Mears and her husband, Kenneth Kim of San Francisco, CA; her great grandson, Dylan Firooznia of Eastchester, NY; her sister, Norma Maupin of CO as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids with Deacon John Muller officiating. Joy Horejsi will serve as the organist and the Alleluia Choir will lead the music. The casket bearers will be Rachel Mears, Peter Walker,  Kenneth Kim and Gregory Mears as well as other selected friends. The honorary casket bearer will be Sarah Mears Kim. Following a luncheon reception hosted by St. Peters Catholic Church, the interment will be held at the St. Peters Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services at the church.