Betty DeSart Mattson was born at home in Jasper, MN to Wayne and Alice DeSart on October 24, 1936. Most of her childhood was spent on a farm in Jasper with her parents and 2 older sisters, Lois & Billie. At about age 10, Betty had a complication of rheumatic fever that resulted in her not being able to walk or talk for a year. She always said that after she regained her ability to speak, she practiced it a lot! She loved visiting with people and always made efforts to make people feel included.