Bethal Zona (Maursetter) Fenske

Bethal Zona Maursetter was born on November 30, 1935, in Clarkfield, MN, to L. Gifford and Ellnora (Gebers) Maursetter. She became a child of God through baptism and later confirmed her faith at Clarkfield Lutheran Church.  In 1953, Bethal graduated from Clarkfield High School. 

At the state fair in 1950, Bethal met her life partner, Delmore Fenske.  They married on September 12, 1953, and started a dairy and grain farm and milked cows for over fifty years.  They were blessed with five children:  Marcus, Lois, Glenda, Barbara, and Jolayne.

Bethal was a very talented seamstress.  She made almost all of her children’s clothing when they were young.  Recently, Bethal still enjoyed making baby and toddler-sized dresses for her great-grandchildren.  She spent time making quilts and especially liked making baby quilts.  She also enjoyed feeding “a little lunch” to whomever arrived at her door.  Bethal could easily whip up a meal at a moment’s notice.  The coffee pot was always hot for anyone who stopped by. She loved visiting with people and learning about them and their families.  Her memory was incredible!

Bethal served her church by singing in the choir, was a member of the St. John’s Ladies Aid, was the church janitor, taught VBS, and served on the Martin Luther College Auxiliary Board.   Bethal also was a 4-H leader for the Omro Toppers for many years and she served on the Yellow Medicine County Fair Association Board for eight years. Over the years, Bethal and Delmore liked to square dance with groups in Hazel Run and Ghent. Bethal was an avid supporter of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all their activities and liked to attend as many events as possible.

Bethal died on December 25, 2023, at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson, at the age of 88 years, as a result of complications of Covid.  She now lives with her Savior!  She is survived by her children, Marcus (Janet) Fenske, Boyd; Lois Fenske, Boyd; Glenda (Dale) Knuth, Hartford, SD; Barbara (Ken) Berg, Gary, SD; and Jolayne (Mark) Streich, Boyd; her sister-in-law, MaryLou (Duaine) Kurtzbein, Montevideo; her brother-in-law, James (Janet) Fenske, Jackson, WI; grandchildren Jason (Sara) Jorgens; Renae (Travis) Gebhart; Brian (Kalea) Jorgens; Pastor Travis (Glorianne) Berg; Luke (Erin) Berg; Jarett (Natasha) Berg; Stacia (Anthony) Even; Sarah (Jamison) Bartz; Dr. Melinda Knuth; Dr. Aaron (Megan) Madson; Dean Knuth; Katheryn Madson; Alisa (David) Erickson; Darius Fenske; and 26 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmore; great-granddaughter, Mary Ellen Berg; sister and brother-in-law, Earlene and Alton Rolighed; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bernetta and Veryl Jessen; Godchild and niece, Kay Jessen; niece, Carmen Rolighed, and parents, L. Gifford and Ellnora Maursetter.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, December 29, from 5-7 PM with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield. Visitation will continue on Saturday, December 30, at 10 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Boyd, Omro Township, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery Fund or Great Plains Lutheran High School. 

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