Betsy Jane McDowell
August 9, 1933 – December 6, 2022
Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
Bemidji State Mourns Passing of BSU Women’s Athletics Pioneer Betsy McDowell
"Betsy’s legacy stands as a charge for all of us – women and men of Bemidji State – to continue to do the work with love, with honor, and with purpose," said Bemidji State Director of Athletics, Britt Lauritsen.
Read more here: https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/2022/12/08/bemidji-state-mourns-passing-of-bsu-womens-athletics-pioneer-betsy-mcdowell/
The Bemidji Pioneer, read more here: https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/college/betsy-mcdowell-a-founder-of-bemidji-state-womens-athletics-dies-at-89
About Betsy
Betsy Jane McDowell, 89, passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Crystal Brook Assisted Living in Park Rapids, MN.
Betsy Jane McDowell was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on August 9, 1933 to. Donald C. and Mabel McDowell. She grew up in and graduated from Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.
Betsy attended and earned her teaching degree at Luther College. She taught for ten years at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Betsy continued her teaching career at Bemidji State University. She had a passion for coaching as well and was one of the founders who made sure women’s athletics came to BSU. She also started the first women’s field hockey team at BSU. Betsy coached field hockey teams to state, regional and national championships.
In 1996 she was inducted into the Bemidji State Hall of Fame and in 2006 she was inducted into the NSIC Hall of Fame.
Betsy loved BSU, field hockey, teaching, family, friends, Sanibel, fishing and traveling. She loved God and she especially loved being Aunt Betsy Jane.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Donald and his wife, Lillian, her niece, Judy Thisius and her nephew, Donald Junior (Mac).
She is survived by nieces and nephews, Gary Thisius, Nancy McDowell, Mary and Jerry Benham, Susie McDowell and Randy Carlson, Mike and Linda McDowell and many great nieces and nephews.
memorial service
A family celebration will be held in July 2023.
Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home