Elizabeth J. "Bette" Tingquist

Elizabeth (Bette) Joan Tingquist, age 91, of Hastings, passed from this life to eternal life on Friday, January 10, 2020. Bette was born in Vermillion, Minnesota on February 20, 1928 to Nicholas and Agatha Marschall, one of six children. She attended St. Boniface Catholic School in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School in 1945. She began her career at the old St. Raphael’s Hospital as a bookkeeper. Three years later, she accepted a position working in the Auditor’s Office at the Dakota County Courthouse. She processed deeds and mortgages for tax records. These land descriptions were all copied by hand into ledger books before the days of copy machines. After 20 years of county service, she went to work at the City Clerk’s Office. At the age of 55, she retired with 35 years of government service. Bette cherished her childhood growing up in Vermillion. The ultimate tomboy, she preferred overalls, a straw hat and even a corncob pipe. She loved to fish and hunt with her dad, who also introduced her to a lifelong passion for golf. She became an accomplished amateur golfer winning her first Club Championship in 1946, at the original Hastings Golf Club. She won many tournaments over the next four decades, and even recorded five holes-in-one between the ages of 56-79. Bette’s most memorable round of golf was on September 22, 1960. She played a round of golf with Father James Dunne in the morning, and in the afternoon, gave birth to her son David. Father Dunne later joked that he was prepared to do a baptism on the 18th hole. Bette is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 63 years, Roy; her sisters, Mae Maher and Pat Mayer, and her brother, Jim Marschall. Left to cherish her memory are her son, David (Liz) Tingquist; grandsons, Nick (Caroline) and Alex; siblings, Marylou Bever and Jack Marschall and many devoted and loving nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. at Regina Memorial Chapel, 1175 Nininger Road, Hastings. Interment, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery. Brunch will be served immediately following Mass in the River Room. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Regina Foundation Chapel Fund. Bette’s family would like to give a special thank you to the wonderful staff at both Regina Care Center and Moments Hospice for their loving care of her over the last few years. Also a huge thank you to all of Dave’s cousins who loved Bette and visited her regularly.