Elizabeth Rochford

Elizabeth 'Bette' Marie Rochford age 81 of New Hampton died Friday morning, September 17, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 20, 2010, at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Msgr. Carl Schmitt celebrating the Mass. Ann Benett will be the organist accompanying the Holy Family Resurrection Choir and Bonnie Meighan as cantor. Lector will be Joel Klisert. Presenting the offertory gifts are Aaron and Dustin Rochford. Inurnment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in New Hampton. Elizabeth “Bette” Marie Rochford was born October 7, 1928, in rural Chickasaw County, IA, near New Hampton, the daughter of John Leo and Mary Johanna (Brown) Meighan. She received her education in rural country schools and was a New Hampton High School graduate. Bette was a retired telephone operator with United Telephone for over twenty-five years. She was an avid gardener and bird-watcher. She will be remembered by her family as the best mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a wonderful friend to many. Survivors include lifetime companion and special friend, Leonard Peterson of New Hampton; two sons, Tom Rochford of Des Moines, Ron Rochford of New Hampton; two daughters, Betsy Staub of Cedar Rapids, Diana Erickson of Mankato, MN; four grandchildren, David Erickson, Dana Erickson, Dustin Rochford and Aaron Rochford; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Elaine (Joel) Klisert of Des Moines; two sisters-in-law; Bonnie Meighan and Kay Meighan, both of Waterloo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas in 1957; two brothers, Bill and Bob Meighan; five sisters, Maxine Meighan, MaDonna Chabak, Anna Mae Meighan, Evelyn Dittmann and Margaret Meighan.