Elizabeth "Betty" J. Perrella

Elizabeth "Betty" Jean (Brown) Perrella, age 98, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025. Born on July 12, 1926, in Keewatin, Minnesota, she was the youngest of five children. Betty's childhood was filled with joyful memories, including her love for ice skating and riding her bicycle. Her early years were spent surrounded by a close-knit family that nurtured her spirited personality and passion for life.

On June 8, 1946, Betty married the love of her life, Nicholas (Nick) "Red" Perrella, Sr., and together they embarked on a journey that would lead them to Winona, Minnesota, where they opened Sammy's Pizza in 1957. Betty and Nick were blessed with three children: Patricia, Jean (Timothy Lynch), and Nicholas (Nick) Perrella, Jr. (Lauri). Sadly, Patricia passed away in infancy. Betty’s family grew over the years with the addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she cherished deeply.

Betty's grandchildren, Nicole (Lynch) Peterson, Samuel Perrella, and Zachary Perrella, as well as her great-grandchildren Will, Thomas, and Stella Peterson, Vincent and Haven Perrella, and Gianna Perrella, were the lights of her life. She always had a Kleenex tucked in her sleeve for runny noses and a candy in her purse just in case. Grandma Betty was always present at their games. She saw countless football, baseball, softball, soccer and basketball games, and cherished every moment spent watching them play. Betty was a dedicated sports fan, and her home was often filled with the sounds of games, as she cooked or worked on crossword puzzles in her favorite chair.

Her family and friends benefited from her deep love for cooking. The smell of her homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs could be smelled as soon as you walked into her home. She also loved baking, making dozens of Christmas cookies and potica each year for her family and friends. Betty enjoyed entertaining, often having close friends Ben and Sharon Baratto over for morning coffee and heartfelt conversations. A true green thumb, Betty took great pride in her garden, especially her thriving tomato plants. She expressed her love through knitting, creating special gifts for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren when they were born.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, James and Pearl; her husband, Nick; her daughter, Patricia; her brothers, Robert Brown and Russell Brown; her sisters, Bernice (Brown) Paoli and Estelle (Brown) Klobuchar; and her son-in-law, Tim Lynch. She is survived by her daughter, Jean Lynch; son, Nick Perrella, Jr. (Lauri); her grandchildren, Niki Peterson (Travis), Sam Perrella (Emily), and Zach Perrella (Stephanie); as well as her great-grandchildren, Will Peterson, Thomas Peterson, Stella Peterson, Vincent Perrella, Haven Perrella, and Gianna Perrella.

Betty’s legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to her family and friends will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She was a woman who brought warmth and joy to everyone she met, and her spirit will forever be remembered.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona, where visitation will be held in the Church Commons from 10 AM until the time of the Mass. Father Russell Scepaniak will officiate. 

Betty will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery. 

Following the burial, a luncheon and reception will be held at the American Legion Club, 302 E. Sarnia St., Winona.