Betty Ann Lahti

Betty Ann (Myhrman) Lahti, 88, of Toivola, died on November 8, 2023, surrounded by her family. Betty
was born to Olaf and Myrtle (Ringquist) Myhrman on October 5, 1935. She grew up in West Duluth and
graduated from Denfeld High School in 1953. After graduation, she attended the University of
Minnesota-Duluth. While on a UMD ski trip to Lutsen in 1956, Betty was introduced to her friend Joyce’s
brother, Floyd Lahti. They dated briefly but Floyd enlisted in the U.S. Army (serving in Germany) and
Betty moved to Miami to work and spend time with her aunts. She kept thinking about him and in 1958
she moved back to Duluth to help care for her ailing father. Floyd had since returned from service and
they reunited on Christmas Day, 1958. While they were courting, Floyd would fly his small plane from
Toivola to Park Point, where Betty would pick him up in her dad’s DeSoto. They married the following
summer on August 14, 1959. Betty moved to the Lahti family farm in Toivola, where she became a farm
wife, keeping books and providing room and board for the large hay crews that lived on site. Betty was
an only child and her greatest wish was to have a large family. Her dream was realized as she and Floyd
raised four sons. Her faith was important to her and she was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in
Toivola. She was also a proud member of the Kral-Matha-Peterson VFW Post 3044 auxiliary. Betty was
an elegant and stylish woman who was always put together and never missed her regular hair
appointments. She enjoyed enduring friendships with a group of classmates from Denfeld, who
communicated regularly and until recently, reunited in person every five years. Betty and Floyd enjoyed
traveling with their closest friends, John and Gerry Kangas from Palo. Betty especially enjoyed Christmas
and visits from her son Mark who resides in Colorado. Her Swedish meatballs and pistachio Christmas
dessert were legendary. Above all, she loved and was proud of her family, especially her grandchildren.
Betty’s family is certain she is dancing with Floyd in heaven.
 
Betty is survived by her son Larry of Proctor and his children Craig Randall and Jamie (Mike) Calaman
and their children Reese, Brynn, Milo, and Lainey; her son Mark of Bailey, CO; her son Jeff (Diane
Esterberg) of Toivola and his children Zachary and Kirstin Lahti; her son Shawn (Katherine) of Toivola and
their children Annika and Kaarina Lahti; and brother-in-law Ralph Miller of O’Fallon, IL. She was
preceded in death by her parents; her husband Floyd; and her sister-in-law Joyce.
 
The family would like to thank the staff at Cornerstone Villa in Buhl for the compassionate care they
provided Betty over the past nine years; Karly and Sarah of Fairview Range Hospice for their presence
and support during her final days; and are especially grateful to her grandson Zach, for the loving and
devoted care he provided to her throughout. 
 
Visitation will take place at Hope Lutheran Church in Toivola, on Saturday, November 18, at 10:00 a.m.,
followed by a funeral service at 11:00. Fellowship will take place at the Lavell Town Hall following the
service. A private family burial will take place at the Toivola Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are
with Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing. In lieu of flowers, Betty would have preferred memorials to
Hope Lutheran Church in Toivola.