Elizabeth (Fritze) Currier

Currier, Elizabeth F. (Fritze), 96, of Duluth, Minnesota, with family at her side, took her final gentle breath on September 22, 2024, after suffering a fall in her residence. 

Betty began working for the phone company at age 16, moving quickly from switchboard operator to draftsperson to special liaison between Northwestern Bell and its highest paying clients. She took seriously her job requirement to be well-dressed for site visits, and two shops in town personally notified her when new shoes arrived, knowing she appreciated finding just the right fit for her triple A heel. She met her future husband, Don, while waiting at a bus stop to go to work. They married on her birthday in 1952. She left the phone company after the birth of their first child in 1953 and happily devoted herself to being a full-time wife, mother and homemaker. When her daughter and son were in school full-time, she decided to take a course or two at UMD. After graduating with honors in 1968, she began her second career as an English teacher at East High School, where she was known for creating innovative and challenging courses such as Man’s Search for Faith, Man’s Search for Values, Senior Studies, and Creative Studies. Her Creative Studies course was so ground-breaking that she and her students were invited to spend a day working with the Guthrie. Betty ended her career with isd709 by mentoring other teachers. She then began directing both the choral and bell choirs at Chester Park United Methodist Church, and the cantatas she created for Easter and Christmas were both spiritually and artistically rewarding. Betty excelled at fabric arts, tackling everything from draperies and furniture upholstery to delicate baptismal gowns. Her grandchildren still treasure the clothes she made for them when they were young. Her needlepoint, cross-stitch and crewel embroidery graced the walls of their lovingly decorated home. She sang beautifully both in her church choir and along with the radio at home. She and her husband Don worked long and happy hours together doing home, garden and landscaping projects. Betty enjoyed cooking for special occasions. The family looked forward to her meatballs and spaghetti on their first night at the cabin each summer, standing rib roast and wild rice on Christmas Day, and angel pie any time of year. When Don suffered a series of small strokes, Betty “fell in love with him all over again” and devoted the next eight years to making his life happy. She never fully recovered from losing him in 2009. Betty worked hard to make sure her family and friends knew they were important. She succeeded. Her loving affirmation of each person’s worth will be missed by many.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Don; aunt and guardian Flora Sathers; stepson, Tom; stepdaughter in-law, Glenna; step grandson, Eric; and step grand son-in-law, Bruce. She is survived by daughter, Lee Anne (Marv) Heikkinen of Duluth, Minnesota; granddaughters Megan Bugge, Tara Bugge; son, Donald (Peg) of Hermantown, Minnesota; grandsons Max (Laura), great-granddaughters Olivia and Reagan: grandson Jon (Charlotte), great-grandson Linus, great-granddaughters Saffron and Oona; granddaughter Shannon; step granddaughter Wendy Grimes, step great-grandchildren Steven and Danielle; Goddaughter Elizabeth Nelson; nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends. 

At Betty’s request, a private graveside service will take place for family only on October 26th at Forest Hill Cemetery, with an open reception to follow at her son’s house at 2:00 P.M. Please RSVP to don.currier@me.com 

Betty’s family extends special thanks to the nurses at St. Lukes 4 West, Dr. Jake Powell, and all the caregivers at Solvay Hospice House who filled mom’s final days with calm, care and respect. 

Memorials may be directed to Solvay Hospice House, at https://mdfoundation.org/make-a-gift-to-solvay-hospice-house/ so they may continue to offer others the loving care Betty and her family received.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555. Please visit www.dfhduluth.com to sign the online guestbook.