Betty Fiske passed away from natural causes at the age of 88 on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, in Anoka, Minnesota.

Betty was born in Billings, Montana, the third of six children of David and Magdalena.  She was raised on the family farm.  She attended Elder Grove Elementary School and graduated from Billings High School.  She met the love of her life, Sam Fiske, at the Beacon Club in Billings, when he was performing the song Stardust on the trumpet.  They were married three months later on July 29, 1954, in Laurel, Montana.  Soon thereafter, Sam joined the Navy.  While he was in the service, they lived in Waldorf, Maryland, San Diego, California, and Charleston, South Carolina, before returning to Montana, living in Billings and, later, Bozeman.  Their three children were born in Maryland (Cindy), California (Amy) and Montana (Mark).  Betty dedicated herself fully to raising the children, while Sam earned a college degree.  After his graduation, the family moved to Roseville, Minnesota, where Sam pursued a career in the burgeoning computer industry.  In 1969, the family moved to Santa Clara, California.  After her children were old enough, Betty studied and became a licensed real estate agent.  In 1971, the family moved to Plymouth, Minnesota.  Betty began working for Litton Microwave, a pioneering company in this new field, as a temp.  She then worked for McQuay, later called Snyder General, later called Daikin, where she rose to supervisor of the payroll department.

Betty lived for her family, and viewed them as her greatest achievement.  She was a stay-at-home mom at a time when this was becoming uncommon.  She taught Sunday school and actively supported her children in Camp Fire Girls, Boy Scouts, music lessons, and other activities.  Betty and Sam took the family back to Montana every summer to spend time with the extended family.  Betty was a consummate homemaker who made everyone feel welcome in her home, hosting every holiday.  She even hosted a Muslim wedding in her dining room for the sister-in-law of a cousin.  Betty's dedication to family was never more evident than when she moved to Montana temporarily to help care for her father and brother during the last stages of their lives, and when she invited her mother into her home in Minnesota for her final years.

Betty also loved family history.  Her parents were both born in Russia and immigrated to US in early 1900's.  Betty was a long-time member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR), where she enjoyed learning more of her family history and meeting others who shared some of the same traditions, including preparing Krautbrot .  She was also enthusiastic about studying the history of Sam's side of the family.  After she learned that his great great uncle, Henry Warner Slocum, had been a general during the Civil War, she persisted in encouraging family members to learn more about him.  This resulted in uncovering his role in the liberation of African Americans from slavery, which has since been celebrated in commemorative programs and documented on websites.

Betty had many fine qualities.  She was known for her honesty and integrity, which she instilled in her children.  She often repeated a story about her father driving ten miles back to town after he realized he had been given too much change by a shopkeeper.  She was also generous.  She always paid more than her share on any occasion, even if it meant surreptitiously slipping cash into her sister's purse after the sister had insisted on paying for lunch.  In addition, Betty generously donated to a wide range of charitable causes.

Betty was predeceased by her father, mother, siblings Vivian, Don, and Bill, and childhood friends Paula and Marge.

Betty is survived by her husband of 67 years, Sam, brother Bob (Donna), sister Donna, children Cindy (Steve), Amy (Eric), and Mark (Nicole), stepdaughter Kate, grandchildren Andrew (Lakena), Jennifer (Dan), Ryan, Emily (Brent), John (Bailey), Cristina (Anthony), and John, great-grandchildren Aiden, Ariana, Grace, Nora, Cade, Austin, Myles, Luna, Isabelle, Lucas, and Alexia (Tanner), great great granddaughter Ingrid, and childhood friend Jean.

Funeral services will be Thursday, December 16 at First Baptist Church of Anoka, 1235 Park St, Anoka, MN 55303, (763) 421-5808.  Cremation has taken place.  Visitation will be at 12:00 pm, the service will be at 1:00 pm, and lunch will follow.  The ceremony will be officiated by Rev. David Fruehauf.  Arrangements are being handled by Thurston, Lindberg, DeShaw Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Ave, Anoka, MN 55303, (763) 421-0220.

Betty was passionate about helping others, so in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in her name to: Doctors Without Borders, doctorswithoutborders.org ; Feed My Starving Children, https://www.fmsc.org/ ; or a charity of your choice.  Betty Fiske was generous, caring, and family-oriented, and she will be dearly missed by many.