Betty Lou (Ness) Varty changed her address from Earth to Heaven on January 29, 2016 at Spring Hill Manor in Grass Valley, Ca. She was 88.

Services will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 10:00 am at Lakeview Lutheran Church in Egeland, ND with Pastor Rob Buechler officiating. Everybody is invited to join the family for lunch and fellowship at the Egeland Community Center following the service. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Cando, ND on Wednesday, August 24th at 2:30 pm.


Betty was born on 10/3/1927 in Rock Lake, North Dakota to Leo & Petra Ness. She was #5 of 9 children. She grew up in Egeland, ND where she was baptized at Lake View Lutheran Church on the 20th of May; where she also received her certificate of Confirmation March 1942. During High School she spent her summers attending the MacPhail School for Music in Minneapolis, MN studying voice. She graduated from Egeland High School in 1946. During her school days at the young age of 13, Betty met the boy who would become her husband Willard Berkeley Varty; they were married in Cando, ND November 24, 1946 where they made their first home. They were married 57 years upon Willard's death in 2004.

Early in their marriage, they moved to New Rockford ND, where they raised their 3 boys Robert, Bradley, and Bruce and daughter Lisa. In 1966 life moved them to California, first living in Novato, then Hayward and later they eventually settled in Fresno. She began working in cosmetics, her first job being with Avon in 1975 then at Gottschalks with Este Lauder 1976-1986. In 1986 they took a 3 year break to move back to Cando, ND to care for Willard's father. Upon their return to Fresno in 1989, Betty again worked at Gottschalks from 1989-1990. She remained living in Fresno until 2007 when she moved to Grass Valley, CA to be closer to her family.

Her many interests included Book Club, PEO, Bible Study Fellowship, and Church Choir. Much loved was her sharing the God given gift of voice! She not only studied voice at MacPhail School of Music, she studied voice under the tutelage of Mrs. Grosser. With Betty's beautiful voice, she was sought after to sing for many events. She sang everything from Patriotic, to Spiritual, Musicals to what was current for the day. These events were a highlight to her.

Her beautiful soprano voice will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege to hear her. Here on Earth she had a voice of an angel, which is now soaring with the heavenly choir. Her beautiful smile, her love of laughter will also be missed deeply.

Those she leaves behind are son's Brad (Patsy) Varty of Nevada City, CA, Bruce Varty, Tacoma, WA, and her daughter Lisa (Mike) Ens of Atascadero, Ca, as well as 8 Grandchildren & 11 great Grandchildren. As well as Brothers Robert Ness, Harold Ness, Sisters Beverly Wilhelmi & Pat Ordahl.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willard Varty, Son Robert Varty, Brothers Lloyd Ness, Leo Ness, Howard Ness and Sister Phyllis Smestad.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to University Presbyterian Church, Fresno or Sierra Presbyterian Church, Nevada City, CA.