Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Hughes was born on March 22, 1930 in Danvers, Minnesota, the daughter of Edmund and Margaret Fennell. Betty was baptized in April of 1930 at the Church of the Visitation in Danvers. She was confirmed in 1942 at the Church of the Visitation by Father Joseph Esser. Betty started grade school at country school district 60 in Marysland Township until the second grade. She then entered Danvers Public School until the seventh grade. Betty completed jr. and sr. high school in Benson, graduating from Benson Senior High School in 1948. Betty worked at the Coy's store in Danvers after graduation before entering a six month program at the Minneapolis School of Business, taking bookkeeping and switchboard operating. Betty worked at North American Life Insurance Company in Minneapolis for a time before returning to Danvers. On June 10, 1954 she was united in marriage to Charles Patrick Hughes at the Church of the Visitation in Danvers by Father Joseph Esser. This Union was blessed with six children and forty years of marriage. She then spent the rest of her life being an active farm wife, homemaker, mother and grandmother. Charlie and Betty purchased land in Holly Colorado in 1976. Together with their kids they spent their summers harvesting their winter wheat. They were proud of their Colorado farm. In her early years Betty belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society in Danvers and taught Catechism. She loved to garden, History, sewing, word puzzles, remembering special dates, and loved her animals. She enjoyed taking pictures, butterflies and most of all hugs. She loved to spend time with her family. Betty is survived by her children Mark Hughes of Danvers, Pat (Karen) Hughes of Holloway, Katie (Guy Senske) Hughes of Milan, Anthony (Monique) Hughes of Benson, Betsy (Mark) Rode of Benson, and Jenny (Mike) Schafer of Willmar; six grandchildren, Justin Hughes, Jaron, Alyssa, and Eric Hughes, and Matt and Ben Rode; and 3 sisters; Catherine Zinda of Kerkhoven, Clara (Jim) Brown of Huntsville, AL, Margaret Fennell of Danvers, and one sister-in-law Lois Fennell of Danvers.She is preceded in death by Husband Charles, her parents Edmund and Margaret, two brothers Thomas and Richard Fennell (in infancy).
