Betty Sue Smith, age 83, of LaValle, WI, (formerly of Ogdensburg, WI), passed away at the Sauk County Health Care Center in Reedsburg, Wisconsin on Thursday, October 2, 2014.
Betty was born on April 10, 1931 in Clark County, Wisconsin to William and Susan (Hoha) Gautsche. She grew up in Owen-Withee, Wisconsin and graduated from New London High School in 1949. Betty married Kenneth W. Smith on May 14, 1955 in New London, Wisconsin. Ken and Betty made their home in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin where they lived and raised their family for over 30 years. They lived in LaValle, Wisconsin the past 10 years. Betty was an active member of First Lutheran Church and was very involved in her community including Garden Club and as the Clerk of the Town of St. Lawrence. Betty was credited with spearheading the development of the current Ogdensburg Park. One to never sit still, she earned her pilots license early in life. Betty took full advantage of every opportunity to travel and visit family and friends. Betty worked in Green Bay and Milwaukee and finished her career at OMC Tradewinds in Manawa, Wisconsin. You could never share a room with Betty without hearing a story and sharing a laugh. She led a blessed life.
Betty is survived by: her husband, Ken; her children, Cody Smith, Peggy (Randy) Lau, and Pamela (Tim) McCumber; and her four grandchildren, Joe, Silvana, Kedzie, and Abbey. She is also survived by her sister, Lois Vance and sisters-in-law, Jean Brown and Ginger Schulz, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Eleanor and brothers, Gerald and William, Jr.
A visitation will be held at First Lutheran Church in Ogdensburg, Wisconsin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service led by Pastor Tom Theama at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. Burial will be held at Park Cemetery, Town of St. Lawrence, Waupaca Co., WI. The family would like to thank the staff at the Sauk County Health Care Center for taking care of Mom. Memorials can be directed to Parkinson’s research. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.