Mariana Betzenderfer

Mariana Betzenderfer (Herriott), 85, died November 3, 2018

Mary was born on March 4, 1933 in Minneapolis, MN to James E and Ruth (Sykes) Herriott.

Mary was a devoted wife and mother who dearly loved Dick, her husband of 51 years, and her children Richard and Lynn. She was a woman of prayer and had a life-long commitment to sharing the love of Jesus with others so that they might know the freedom and forgiveness which comes through a relationship with Jesus. Mary was committed to her church families in Neenah, WI and Osage, MN. She was a diligent student of God’s Word.

Mary earned a medical degree in occupational therapy at the University of Iowa and specialized in working with children who had cerebral palsy. She interned at Indianapolis, IN and Omaha, NE. Mary worked vocationally in Cedar Rapids, IA until her marriage.

While attending the University of Iowa Mary was a member of the Scottish Highlanders, one of the few freshmen ever selected to the team. The Highlanders, adorned in tartan uniforms, entertained at halftimes at football games and traveled as a group to present shows in Scotland. As a Highlander, Mary learned to march, play the snare drum and dance the Highland Fling.

Mary was an accomplished painter known for her vivid use of color in her impressionist-realistic style of oil painting. Influenced by the Masters and guided by respected artists, she had a style which reflects light and color in an exciting, personal way. Her impressionistic style paintings emphasize soft, naturalistic lighting. Mary’s paintings hang in various places throughout the world. Her work has been featured in over 40 galleries and displayed in several prominent galleries across the country.

Mary received numerous awards from local, state, and national shows. She was invited to become a charter member of the Society of American Impressionists. Mary has been honored with the Andrew Carnegie Award. She taught art extension courses through the University of Wisconsin.

Mary lived a full life in God’s grace and love. Her purpose in painting is to honor and glorify the Lord.  Mary felt a special call to help women in need. This call was her inspiration to put Bible verses on her paintings along with her signature. Mary’s magnum opus is a multi-panel mural which hangs at Calvary Bible Church in Neenah, WI. The primary multi-panel canvas of this painting is 40” x 250" with the painting extended over twice that amount onto the block wall. 

Mary found solace in her painting as well as the renewal of her faith after the loss of her infant son in a car accident. Following the illness and death of her adult daughter from of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she experienced deep comfort, peace, and joy as a result of her personal faith in God.

Mary served others faithfully and reaped the positive results of her investment in others through the final years of her life as many aided her in countless ways. She had a heart of true compassion for others. Mary was an advocate for those who had no advocate and for those who could not speak for themselves or defend themselves.

Mary is survived by her sister Patricia Dunham, nephew Matt (Dani) Dunham and their two children Donald James and Madelynn, and nephew Mitchel (Debra) Dunham. She is also survived by many brothers and sisters in Christ from both Calvary Bible Church of Neenah WI and Grace Community Church of Osage, MN, as well as many other churches and former neighbors.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard, her son Richard James (6 months), and her daughter Lynn (age 31).