Elizabeth Virginia (Betty) Fjetland

Fjetland Elizabeth (Betty) Virginia, 95, formerly of Farmington, passed away Nov. 26 at the North Residential Hospice in Brooklyn Center, MN. Betty was born June 28, 1907, to Gustave & Ellen (Nellie) Fjetland in the family home in Farmington, MN. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1924 at the age of 16. She left home to attend the two-year teacher's college at Winona State University. After graduation in 1926, Betty taught elementary school in Wisconsin Dells, WI and Lake Norden, SD. She returned to Winona State and graduated with her four-year degree in 1938. She then taught in Dover and Byron, MN and Menomonie, MI. With the start of World War II, Betty attended business school in Minneapolis and worked at the Cargill Company as an accountant until after the war. In 1949, Betty was hired as a social worker in Albert Lea. After a couple of years, a job opened up for her at the Faribault State Hospital, and Betty moved back to the family home. For the next twenty years, she worked in Faribault, and took care of her mother and her Aunt Elsie in Farmington. Betty retired from Faribault State Hospital in 1972. In 1990, at the age of 83, Betty had her first book published regarding the genealogy of her family, dating back to the Mayflower. She organized the Farmington Genealogy Group and published her second book in 1993. Betty's grandparents were co-founders of the United Faith Methodist Church in Farmington, where she was a member. She was very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Dakota County DARTS, serving on the education advisory council. Betty was a faithful Minnesota Twins and Golden Gopher football and basketball fan. Throughout her life, Betty enjoyed working in her many flower gardens. She lived in her own home until earlier this year, moving to Maple Grove to be closer to her nieces. Her mother, Ellen; father, Gustave and brother, Gustave preceded Betty in death. She is survived by nieces, Beth (Scott) Holum of Maple Grove, MN, Lorri Fjetland of Columbia Heights, MN and Deb Fjetland of Duluth, MN and nephews, Eric (Pat) Fjetland of Owatonna, MN and Kirk (Sandi) Fjetland of New Brighton, MN; five great-nieces and two great-nephews. She will be deeply missed by several special friends in Farmington. Service 12 noon Sunday at Faith United Methodist Church, Farmington. Interment Corinthian Cemetery. White Funeral Home Farmington, MN 651-463-7374

Published on November 28, 2002