(1898-1988)
Bagley

Mae Barness was an educator, humanitarian and beloved member of the community. As the Clearwater County Superintendent of Rural Schools for over 50 years, she worked tirelessly for the education of all the county's children, particularly the American Indian students. Her district included more than 70 schools, which she tried to visit annually. In the early days of her job, Mae traveled by horse and buggy or sled, which was extremely difficult due to the long distances, poor conditions of roads and lack of protection from the elements. Later she traveled in her Model T Ford, which wasn't much safer.

Mae had a great respect for the sacrifices teachers of the era had to make and tried to make school fun for the children, who loved her dearly. She was a friend, a confidant and sometimes a child-welfare "officer."

Away from her work life, Mae and her husband, the county sheriff, did all they could for their community. Mae provided clothing, food, loans for continuing education, and visited lonely and bedridden people.

She provided transportation to many unwell and needy in the community, and was a long time Sunday School teacher and volunteer.

In 1958, Mae was honored with the Maria Sanford award for Outstanding Minnesota Educator. In 1975, the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe honored her in a special ceremony in which she was adopted into the tribe - a rare and special occasion. In 1978, the county designated a Mae Barness Day, with 2,000 people arriving to honor her at the fairgrounds, where a building is dedicated in her name.