Betty J. Brletich

In the early morning before the rising sun on August 19, 2024, our 96-year
old matriarch, Betty (Baba) Brletich, was graced with eternity in heaven as she
joined her loyal husband, Matt, two of her beautiful daughters, Sandy and Shirley,
her brother, Sonny, and her darling mother, Leona. How can anyone briefly talk
about or summarize the life of someone who lived almost a century? One really
can’t, but I owe it to her to try.
Baba had the natural ability to create comfort when one was in her presence;
the sassiness to put her husband in his place, while honoring him with
unconditional, adoring love; the discipline to keep the cleanest house, no matter
how many grandchildren spent the night. She taught her grandkids that a sweet
tooth was a very important part of life and most desirable at the end of the day,
although “You can’t sit on the davenport while you’re eating that ice cream.”
Baba patiently waited for her time, knowing Papa Matt would be leaning up
against a wall with an aplomb smile at the gates of heaven, eager to celebrate their
75th wedding anniversary.
Thank you, Baba, for creating endless pages of memories, along with traits
that I’ll spend my future days striving for. Well, Baba, one final dance in your
living room to your favorite show, Lawrence Welk. Until then…. (written by
grandson, Joel Quiggin).
Betty Jean (Davis) Brletich was born on July 11, 1928 in St. Paul, MN and
passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, in Chisholm, MN.. Betty was raised in
Hibbing, MN and married Matt Brletich on August 19, 1949 at St. Mary’s Catholic
Church in Keewatin, MN. They made their home and raised their children two
doors down from where Betty grew up in Hibbing.
Betty was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, an active member of Our
Lady of Fatima Church Circle, and later, a member of the Blessed Sacrament
Church in Hibbing.

She is survived by her daughter, Patsi Brletich of Hibbing, MN; son,
Michael Brletich, of Hibbing, MN; 9 grandsons, 1 grand-daughter, and 20 great-
grandchildren; and a brother, Leonard (Norma) McDowell.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Matt, daughter, Sandra
Schmelzer, daughter, Shirley Farden, mother, Leona Davis, and brother, Sonny
Davis.
Funeral: A private service and burial will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in
Hibbing, MN. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Heritage Nursing
Home and the Northstar Hospice Program and all the wonderful nurses that cared
so lovingly for our mother and provided the kind hearted support to help our family
through this difficult transition. We would also like to thank the staff at the
Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing for their compassionate and professional
services. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit
www.doughertyofhibbing.com.