Betty Lou (Hurinenko) Furtner, 73, Dickinson, died Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer. Services will be at a later date.
Betty Lou Hurinenko was born March 30, 1943 in Dickinson, the daughter of Wistem and Katie (Alexenko) Hurinenko. As a young girl she traveled with her family to Oregon in 1956, then to Seattle, Wash. area where she attended Auburn Senior High, graduating in 1961. Prior to graduation she met Victor Mahlen, they were married in 1960, together they had three children, Ken, Susan and Deborah, this marriage ended in divorce in 1985. In 1988 she married Hans Furtner, later divorcing in 1995.
From 1978 to 1982 Betty drove milk truck to help support the family, then from 1988 to 1992 she worked at Boeing. For the next 20 years she worked as a care giver, attending to those living in their homes.
Some of Betty’s greatest joys were helping those in need, giving for no reason, loving people who have no one, keeping busy and just enjoying life. She loved to create beauty in her flower arrangements and in her home. She also loved cooking which was seen in her food catering and in the many dinner parties she hosted. Betty loved the outdoors and almost any out door activity, some favorites were water skiing, snowmobiling, and snow skiing. She quickly made many friends and took them on her ride to living life to it’s fullest.
Betty is survived by her children, Kenneth R. Mahlen, Apache Junction, Ariz., and Deborah (Don) Mahlen Ross, West Port, Wash.; three grandchildren, Rebecca Ross, Dakota Ross, and Danielle Ross; siblings, Bernel Zabolotny, Killdeer, Irene (George) Wolf, Medora, Roger (Betty Ann) Hurinenko, Dickinson, Mary (Glen) Burks, Scio, Ore., Linda (Roger) Groce, Canyon City, Ore., and Robert Hurinenko; and numerous other family and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Marie Mahlen Huntington on April 3, 2013; brother, Edward Hurinenko; her parents; half sister, Lynn Stubbs; niece Jodie; nephew, Rodney; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. “To know all, is to love and forgive all”
