Betty J. Betenz, 93, of Blue Spring Lake, Palmyra, died peacefully in her sleep May 28, 2016, at Fairhaven in Whitewater.
Betty grew up on a farm on the Irwin Young property. She graduated from Palmyra High School and while she was a student there, met and married John Betenz.
When the children were old enough to take care of themselves, Betty went to work in the restaurant business. Betty and John eventually bought the Nite Cap Inn in Palmyra and ran the restaurant/hotel for 25 years. Betty ran the business the last two years by herself after John died.
Betty worked at the Fireside Theater-Restaurant part-time, teaching the cooks how to make her potato pancakes, and she worked in the gift shop, where she made candy that was sold there.
Betty volunteered her time with many organizations including: Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Palmyra Community Foundation, Palmyra Kiwanis Club, Palmyra Historical Society, Southern District of Jefferson County Cancer Society, and the St. Mary Catholic Church Women’s Society.
Betty loved to travel and visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, China, Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Mexico, and also went on several cruises.
She is survived by her children, John “Jack” (Karen) of Janesville, Charlene Mcintosh of Janesville, and Robert Betenz of Dousman; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Bob (Cindy) Diamond.
Betty is further survived by other relatives and countless dear friends.
Visitation will be on Thursday, June 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Haase Lockwood and Associates Funeral Home 320 W. Main St. Palmyra, and on Friday, June 3, from 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church 919 W. Main St. Palmyra. Burial will be at St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery in Eagle on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
To sign the guestbook visit www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
