Elizabeth "Betty" Senger, 58, Harvey, ND died Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at a Harvey Clinic.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday June 1, 2013 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Harvey, ND.

Burial will be in the St. Cecilia Catholic Cemetery, Harvey, ND.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.Friday at Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, ND with Prayer Services following at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m Friday evening.

Elizabeth Louise "Betty Lou" Senger was born on April 3, 1955 at the Rugby hospital to Edward A. and Julia (Schaan) Senger. Betty enjoyed life on the farm with her 14 siblings to help watch over her, annoy her (those brothers), and make her laugh and dance to Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. Betty's parents along with other parents in Pierce County formed a chapter of the ARC to promote rights of children with developmental disabilities. Her mother, Julia, along with other ARC members worked to start a school for these children in Rugby two days per week. At age 8, Betty was able to start school with her brother Valentine for the first time. Finally, children with special needs were allowed in public schools in North Dakota. In 1970, Betty was able to attend school full time at Drake Public School until 1976. In Drake and Harvey, Betty enjoyed being involved in Special Olympics.

When her family moved to Harvey in 1978, her parents, Edward and Julia, again saw a need for adults with developmental disabilities and worked to start a program for these adults. In 1981, Betty was one of the four original clients to be served by the newly formed HAV-IT. Betty received Day Service working at the HAV-IT workshop until she moved into the North Group Home in 1987. From 1987 to 2003, she lived at the HAV-IT North Group Home and worked at HAV-IT. She enjoyed shredding paper, cleaning the camp grounds, and stuffing circulars. In October of 2003, Betty moved to the HAV-IT Jackson Group Home and continued at the workshop only occasionally as she was slowing down. Betty enjoyed the good care from all the HAV-It staff and the many friendships she developed over the years with other residents and staff members.

Betty was a member of Orrin Catholic Church and St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Harvey. Betty Lou enjoyed car rides, opening presents, being around small children, dancing to music, dressing up, and going outside. Most of all Betty enjoyed dyeing Easter eggs and especially sitting right in front of the TV or at the group home sitting in her favorite chair by the TV.

Betty is survived by her father, Edward of Harvey, siblings, Bob (Susan) Senger of Old Saybrook, Connecticut; Bernadette (Ralph) Mahler of Fargo; Fr. William Senger of Maryknoll, NY; Beverly (Kris) Senger-Butler of Valley, Alabama; Bruce (Patty) Senger of Moorhead, MN; Vernon (Linette) Senger of Fargo; Michael (Sheila) Senger of Orrin; Bonnie (Jerry) Daily of Moorhead, MN; Marilyn (Brian) Bjoralt of Fargo; Joseph Senger of Bismarck; Julie (Bob) Keller of Harvey and Rick (Kim) Senger of Shakopee, MN and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Julia; brothers, Valentine and Byron.