Betty Louise McConnell (Otto)

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Betty Louise McConnell (Otto) was born on January 24, 1941 at home to Martin and Alice (Streiff) Otto south of Warroad, Minnesota. They moved with their family to a farm northwest of Warroad. Betty attended school in town. She liked algebra and home education while in high school. She took care of the younger children in her family, which kept her very busy. One special memory she had with her father was getting to help clean fish with him while the other kids did chores. On August 2, 1958, Betty married Dennis Battles. Following an unfortunate illness, Dennis passed away before their son, William “Bill” was born. Betty moved with her son to Marshall, Minnesota where she worked for Rowe Construction as a secretary.

Betty met Donald McConnell while at a roller rink in Balaton, Minnesota. They married on December 31, 1960 and made a life together on a farm near Ruthton, Minnesota. Betty was a homemaker and worked on the farm with Don while raising their five children. They retired in 2006. During their retirement, they enjoyed traveling across the country and spending winters in Texas. They also spent many years together working at the Marshall Avera Thrift Store. Don passed away in 2023. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Betty passed away while at Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall at the age of 84 years, nine months and 29 days.

Betty was a member of Grace First Parish in Russell, Minnesota. She was part of a quilting circle which made baby hats for local hospitals, made backpacks for books, volunteered to help with church meals and fundraisers and many other church activities. She always kept busy on the farm taking care of the vegetable gardening, canning and tending to the flower gardens. She enjoyed traveling, card clubs, knitting, sewing, quilt making, playing scrabble, visiting with friends and spending time with her grandkids. She loved the cat Don brought home; Maxi became a very special companion after Don passed away.

Betty will be remembered for her kindness. She never said a bad word about anyone. She loved kids and enjoyed living in the country. She was very hard-working and devoted to the relationships she held with her friends and family.

Betty is lovingly survived by her four children, William “Bill” McConnell of Verdi, Minnesota, Roger (Marcy) McConnell of Ruthton, Sandra (Scott) Niemela of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, and Paul (Gwen) McConnell of Wall, South Dakota; 12 grandchildren, Tracy (Steve) Mankowski, Tyrel (Mary) McConnell, Nathan (Nancy) McConnell, Alisha McConnell (Cody Brunson), Jessica (Jake) Keenan, Michelle (Dewayne) Carollo, Jennifer (Joe) Stein, Chelsea (Peter) Noding, Emily (Noah) Melhorn, Courtney (John) Sullivan, Melissa (Trevor) Fricke, and Breanna McConnell; 29 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four siblings, Gloria Tesarek of Roseau, Minnesota, Martha (Eugene) Krzoska of Roseau, Alice (Paul) Hahn of Warroad, and Allyn Otto of Warroad; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Dennis Battles and Donald McConnell; daughter, Kristine McConnell; great-granddaughter, Silver Brunson; parents; and four brothers, Floyd, Bobbie, Phillip and Martin.