Mary “MJ” Betsworth, 66, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2012 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2012 at St. Lambert Catholic Church. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the start of the mass in St. Lambert Church. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery.

Mary Jane “MJ” Marquardt was born on July 23, 1946 in Sioux Falls, the daughter of Howard and Lucille Marquardt. She grew up in in Sioux Falls and attended school at O’Gorman, graduating in 1964. MJ was a member of the National Honor Society. She went to work at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. as a Secretary/Stenographer right out of high school. MJ married Dan Betsworth on July 18, 1969. She worked for Prudential Financial from 1966 to 1994, the Minnehaha Public Defenders Office from 1995 to 1997, and Raven Industries from 1997 to 2008, when she retired. MJ served as a Citizen’s Patrol Officer in Sioux Falls and sang with Joyful Noise at St. Lambert Church. She enjoyed reading murder mysteries and working in her lawn and garden.

MJ is survived by her son, Christopher (Barb) Betsworth of Sioux Falls; her daughter, Jennifer Donaldson of Sioux Falls; her seven grandchildren, Matthew, Haley, Orion, Lauren, Jacob, Emily, and Samuel; her brother, Howard Marquardt of Sioux Falls; her sister, Suzanne (Joe) Feuling of Washington; and many nieces and nephews.

MJ was preceded in death by her parents and a beloved aunt and uncle.