Surnames: Shoemaker, Riley, Small, Harwick, Kutchera, Laufenberg, Cook, Lowe, Heer, Dickie

----Source: Winona Daily News (Winona, Minnesota) 23 April 2004

Shoemaker, Betty J. (17 Nov. 1925 - 12 April 2004)

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Betty J. Shoemaker, 78, of Black River Falls, died Monday, April 12, 2004, in Pine View Care Center where she had been a resident since Jan. 29, 2004.

The former Betty J. Riley was born on Nov. 17, 1925, in Litchfield, Minn., to Harry and Alice (Small) Riley. She was raised in La Crosse and moved to Black River Falls in 1950.

She married Rueben Harwick on March 27, 1943, in Neillsville. Rueben died on Jan. 28, 1968. She later married Sydney P. Shoemaker on July 19, 1969, in Rockford, Ill. The couple lived in Rockford and Pecatonica, before settling in Black River Falls. Sydney Shoemaker died on May 2, 1982. Betty later had a close friend, John Kutchera, who died on Jan. 15, 1999.

Betty had been employed at the Black River Caf‘, the Wheel Caf‘, and Norplex Fabricating.

Betty was a member of the Black River Falls United Methodist Church.

She loved to garden and can her garden produce. She also enjoyed playing cards, dancing, crocheting, and fishing. She also enjoyed flowers in the spring.

Survivors include three step-daughters, Hope (Jerome) Laufenberg of Alma Center, Karen (David) Cook of Richmond, Va., and Judith (Lewis) Lowe of Black River Falls; three step-sons, Mark (Lori) Shoemaker of Plymouth, Minn., Mike (Wanda) Shoemaker of Onalaska, and Russell (Lori) Shoemaker of Eleva; a sister, Alice Heer of Bangor; 17 step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; friends, Joy and Dennis Dickie of Black River Falls; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many special friends.

Funeral services were Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 10 a.m. from the Black River Falls United Methodist Church and burial was in Riverside Cemetery. The Rev. Thomas Dunham officiated.

Casket bearers were Brady Laufenberg, Dan Laufenberg, Rusty Shoemaker, Adam Shoemaker, Scott Lowe, and Sam Lowe.

Family and friends were invited to call at the Buswell Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until services.

Memorials May be given to Pine View Home Health, Pine View Care Center, or the Black River Hospice.