Caledonia Argus

Posted: 5/10/04

Stanley J. Betz

Stanley J. Betz, 68, of Caledonia, MN, died Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the Caledonia Lutheran home. He was born September 8, 1935 in Caledonia to William and Mae (Kuhl) Betz. Stan is a 1953 graduate of Caledonia High School. He then served in the United States Army in Alaska from 1953 until December of 1956. On April 21, 1957, he married Shirley Kuecker at St. Johnís Ev. Lutheran Church in Caledonia.

Stan was employed at Becker Lumber and Brady Elevator, both in Caledonia before he and Shirley opened the Redwood Cafe and Betzís D-X Station in Caledonia. They operated the cafe until 1972 and the station until 1975. Stan continued his wrecker service until the mid-1980ís along with Betz Enterprise Salvage which he operated until the present time. Stan was co-founder of the Caledonia Demolition Derby, now known as the Stan Betz Classic, which is held at the Houston County Fair. He was a member of the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191 in Caledonia and he worked at the Saturday night bingo.

Stan enjoyed fishing, hunting and he was an avid football fan. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Caledonia; four children: Steven Betz, La Crescent, Sheila (Mike) Mengelt, La Crosse, Scott Betz, Caledonia, and Sandi (Jim) Likely, Minneapolis; five grandchildren; one sister, Mary Ann Betz, Caledonia; and aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Carol Betz; and a nephew, Aaron Varney.

Services will be Wednesday, May 12, 11 a.m., at St. Johnís Ev. Lutheran Church, Caledonia. Rev. Jon Wolff will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

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