Betty Harkins

Betty Harkins September 27, 1923 - May 8, 2010

Betty Lou Harkins, age 86, of Faribault, died Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls, MN. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Shieldsville. Interment will be held at the German-Union Cemetery in Millersburg. Memorial visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The family prefers that memorials be directed to the Angels Care Center in Cannon Falls, MN or St. Patrick Catholic Church. Arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault. Betty Lou Fee, the daughter of Sherman and Elizabeth (Damann) Fee, was born on September 27, 1923 in La Crosse, WI. When Betty was a young girl her family moved to Faribault and purchased Roberds Lake Resort, where she started working in 1937. Betty attended Faribault High School and graduated with the class of 1941. After high school she attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1945. She taught school in Campbell, NE from 1945-1946. On October 17, 1946 she was united in marriage to William H. Harkins at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. In 1949, Bill and Betty purchased the resort from Betty''s parents and operated the family business, Roberds Lake Resort, until 1981 when it was purchased by their daughter. During this time Betty also worked at the Faribault Regional Center as a dietician from 1967 to 1972 and worked for the Faribault Vocational School teaching nursing and life skills. Betty and Bill were very active members of the Faribault Lions Club and because of this Betty was a Melvin Jones recipient. Betty and Bill traveled to Mexico three times to deliver donated glasses to those in need through the Lions Club. They enjoyed traveling and were able to travel to 49 states. Bill preceded her in death on Dec. 26, 2008. Betty was a member of many organizations including, the Ave Maria Study Club, University of Nebraska Alumni Association, Rosary Society of I.C., St. Patrick Catholic Church, Roberds Lake Club, AAUW and the Women''s Club. She enjoyed gardening, music and camping. She is survived by her three children, William S. (Kathy) Harkins, of Wichita Falls, TX, Shermayne (Bob) Cross of Faribault, and Mary Harkins (Barry Venn) of Cannon Falls, MN; by eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. She was preceded

in death by her parents and her husband.