Betty Cannon
August 19, 1924 ~ June 17, 2019
Betty Cannon passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 17th, 2019. Betty was born August 19, 1924 in Kenmare, North Dakota the fifth and final child of Karl and Agathe Steiner. Karl and Agathe were homesteaders from southern Germany, arriving in 1905 following their wedding in Germany. Betty grew up on the family farm and attended St. Agnes Elementary School in Kenmare and graduated from Kenmare High School in 1942 with honors.
Betty met Everett Cannon, the love of her life, in Rock Lake, North Dakota. Everett was on leave from the navy and saw a photograph of her in a store showing pictures of graduates and told a friend he wanted to ask her to a dance. It’s a small town and Betty was informed, so she went down to another store that had photos of local men in the service and liked what she saw. When he could dance that cemented the relationship. Betty and Everett were married on June 3, 1944.
They lived in several places trying to find themselves in post war upper Midwest including Olathe, KS and Devils Lake, ND before finally settling in Mandan, ND. Everett had gone to barber school by this time using the GI bill.
They lived and worked in Mandan, Everett at the Deluxe Barbershop he owned and Betty as a legal secretary, from 1950 until 1967. They then moved to Fargo, ND where Everett taught at the Moler Barber College. This would become their lives’ work when they purchased the barber college and building it utilized in downtown Fargo. While handling the financial side of the barber college, Betty worked at Western States Life for over 20 years and remained close in later years with many of her co-workers.
Betty loved singing and dancing. Everybody knew her computer password was “dancing”. She joined and was a part of Sweet Adelines for many years, singing in a quartet and group. She and Everett spent many a weekend at the Elks Club in Mandan and Fargo dancing and having fun with their many friends.
Betty and Everett loved Minnesota lake living, owning cabins or homes on Rush Lake, Lake Ida and later Big Cormorant Lake. Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to love lake living, boating and water sports through family reunions (always held at whichever lake) and visits with Betty and Everett.
Betty was preceded in death by her sisters Agnes Mortell and Clara Karls, brothers Carl Steiner and Albert Steiner, grandsons Michael Cannon and Garth Cannon, and granddaughter Brandi Parr. Her husband Everett passed away in December of 1997, and Betty is still mad at him for leaving her alone.
Betty leaves five children; Darr (Susan) Cannon, Clair Ross Cannon, Keith (Linda) Cannon, Jill (Steve) Garrison and Joel Cannon. She also leaves many grandchildren and great-grandchildren spread out over the U.S. in Texas, Washington, Florida, Minnesota and North Dakota.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on July 13, 2019 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1420 7th Street North, in Fargo. Interment will occur at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis next to her husband Everett.
I am so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. I worked with her many years ago at Western States Life. I was a young woman when I started there and Betty took me “under her wing” and showed me the ropes. We became fast friends for the many years I was there. She was a gentle soul and always a lady. We had many a good chats over the years and I was fortunate enough to see her again a few years back at one of the “reunions” of Western States Life people. So fun. Betty was one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of knowing. May she rest in peace.
I was also one of those Betty took under her wing. She got me into Sweet Adelines which we enjoyed for years. Betty and Everett were exceptional people. They even came to Bowbells, ND for my wedding in 1970. We were and still are a tight-knit bunch at Western States Life.
Rest in peace beautiful lady.
Betty and Everett were long time friends of my mom and dad, Martha and Tony Knoll. They consistently played cards together in Mandan,Fargo and Lake Ida. It’s rare to find life long friends between couples like the Cannon’s. The card playing and friendship continued after Everett’s passing. Betty and my mom would meet at least once a month for a good game of 31 or a piece of pie at Village Inn. Also, my dad and I visited Betty a few times at Bethany as my mom died in 2016. We talked about all the fun and joy they had. Blessings to you family. Your mom lives on in our hearts and touched us in so many ways.
Sorry to hear of Betty’s passing, So many good memories of the “Old Neighborhood ” Prayers to you all.
Becky Levin Herdegen
Lori and I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Cannon family. I first met Betty, and briefly Everett, in 1997. That is the year that we became next door neighbors at the lake. We purchased in October 1997 and Everett passed away in December, 1997.
We loved Betty! Never did we hear her say an unkind word to or about anyone. Betty had a devotion to her family that was never ending. She so looked forward to every weekend at the lake, and especially the annual reunion… attended by all of the Cannon’s.
My most memorable story about Betty happened several years ago. We were talking about Everett. I expressed that I wished I would have been able to spend time with him as a neighbor too. I briefly met Everett a couple times, he seemed like such a nice guy! Betty said, and I quote, “He was the nicest man I have ever met”. Betty missed Everett every day since his passing and we will miss Betty every day from now on too!
There is a special place in heaven for Everett and Betty, two of the finest and devoted people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Cannon Family, Our condolences in the loss of your mother. May she rest in peace and now enjoy her dance with your dad. Ron and Marlys Balkowitsch
Deepest sympathy to the Cannon family. Sorry to hear of Betty’s passing, may she rest In Peace.