Ted was born on May 20, 1925 in Hutchinson, Minnesota to Christopher and Lillian Betker. Ted was very proud of his Danish heritage and bragged that all four of his grandparents were born in Denmark.

Ted graduated from Hutchinson High School where he was a star basketball player. He was accepted into the Navy V5 pilot training program after high school. Upon completing the program he was commissioned as an Ensign. Shortly after receiving his wings, Japan surrendered and the war ended. His time flying was among his fondest memories.

Ted enrolled in Engineering at the University of Minnesota. At a summer job he met his first wife, Marjorie Manning, and they were married in 1947. Marg and Ted had six children. Upon graduation Ted accepted an offer from his friend, Charlie Bell, to interview for a job with General Mills, where he enjoyed an illustrious career. He started as a production trainee in a flour mill, rose to manage all of General Mills' flour mills and held several corporate level positions, including Director of Production. In later years he worked in the Craft, Game and Toy Division, including five years as President of a subsidiary that included Craftmaster, MPC, and Lionel Trains. Ted retired in 1981.

In 1983 Ted fulfilled his lifetime dream by building a cabin on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota where he spent his time fishing for walleyed and northern pike. It was a place for family and friends, who all hold fond memories of times shared there.

After Marjorie's death in 1994, Ted met and married Carol James in 1996. Ted and Carol shared their time between Santa Barbara and Lake Vermilion making time for many exciting yearly travel adventures throughout the world. In recent years they resided full time in Santa Barbara enjoying an active social life and always welcoming visitors. Ted died at Casa Dorinda on November 22, 2016. He was 91.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, his children, Steven (Audrey), Julie MacDonald, Lucia Jaszczak (Paul), David (Judy), Michael (Roxanne), and Peter (Colleen), eleven grand children and eight great grandchildren. A celebration of Ted's life will take place at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, Casa Dorinda Medical Center, or the .