Obituary of Marguerite Elizabeth Farness

Marguerite Elizabeth “Betsy” Farness died in the early morning in her home on June 30th, 2024.

Betsy was born in Richfield, Minnesota in1942 to parents Helen and Milton. She was delighted when her younger sister Barbara was born, and quickly took on the role of playmate, mentor, and protector throughout their childhoods. Anyone who knows Betsy knows her passion for sports, which started at an early age. From fishing with her dad to downhill skiing, she loved to be active and on the move.

After graduating from Richfield High School, she went on to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical and health education at the University of Minnesota. Betsy was a physical education teacher in the Minnetonka School District for 33 years. She was also a coach, leading the girls tennis program to back to back state titles in the early 1970s.

Betsy was a trailblazer, playing a vital role in establishing Minnetonka’s first competitive girls athletic team. For 20 years, Betsy served as the Executive Secretary for the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association for Girls Sports. She dedicated her life to creating opportunities for girls to participate and learn through athletics and her lasting impact cannot be measured. Her accomplishments were recognized in 2018 when she received The Marie Berg Award for Excellence in Education by the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership.

One summer, Betsy met and fell in love with Katie Maiers. They would go on to be partners for 45 years, sharing their beloved home in the Seward, Minneapolis neighborhood with many mini poodles over the years. In 2013, Betsy and Katie wed in a beautiful, intimate ceremony.

Betsy was the greatest champion and cheerleader of her many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. She showed her love by being present in their lives, whether that be by showing up for graduation parties, weddings, sports events, or by listening closely, remembering details, and presenting them with just the thing they wanted or needed.

Betsy was a voracious reader, a dynamic storyteller, skilled in needlepoint, knitting, beadwork, and always had at least a few projects she was working on, perhaps with the Twins or MPR on in the background. Betsy’s legacy in sports lives on, and so will her generous spirit, quick humor, and love for her family, friends, flamingos, and of course, her dogs.

She’s preceded in death by her parents and 2 infant sisters. She is survived by her wife, Katie Maiers, sister Barbara (Paul) Chapman, Katie’s siblings and spouses, along with 54 nieces and nephews spanning 3 generations. Her joyful (and sometimes mischievous) laugh will be missed.

Please join us in celebrating Betsy’s life and lasting legacy on July 3rd from 3-6pm with a commemoration at 4pm at the Cremation Society (7110 France Av. S., Edina).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MPR, TPT or the Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley, MN.