Elizabeth "Betty" J. Drift

Elizabeth "Betty" J. Drift, 77, of Indian Point-Orr, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the Cook Care Center.

She was born on December 23, 1939, in Cloquet; the daughter of Anton and Mary (Hudson) Barney. Betty grew up in Minneapolis and moved to Nett Lake in 1980. Earlier Betty was employed for several years in housekeeping. She was a longtime dedicated teacher's aid in the Nett Lake School. Betty married Ernest "Bunky" Drift on May 2, 1997, in Bemidji. She was a great baker and made wonderful cookies for her family nearly every day. She was affiliated Catholic. She was a member of the Fon du Lac Band of Superior Chippewa. Betty loved solving puzzles of all types, and enjoyed playing cards, especially, smear. She dearly loved her family and her cats were special to her. Betty will be dearly missed by all.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bunky in 2010, and a sister, Jeanette Klein.

Betty is survived by 2 sons, Jarrod (Nancy Day) Ballinger of Virginia and Jason (Leona) Drift of Indian Point-Orr; 1 brother, Kenneth (Eileen) Barney of Indian Point-Orr; 1 sister, Shirley (Harvey) Danielson of Mpls., MN; 5 grandchildren: Rebecca Jo Drift, Alexis and Dezarae Connor, Jade Drift and Jason Ballinger; along with many other special extended family and friends, and her special cat, Joey.

A GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS will be from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, (Jan. 18th) at the Nett Lake Community Center, where people can share memories. No formal funeral services will be held, at Betty's request. The honorary bearers will be Loren "Hawk" Connor, Bill Danielson, Michael Goggleye, Kenneth Barney, Jason Ballinger, Kent Isham and Lyle Connor. Interment will be held at a later date in the Sawyer Cemetery near Cloquet, on the Fond u Lac Reservation. Funeral arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home, Cook.