Obituary - Posted: 5/2/05
Shirley Betz
Shirley Anne Kuecker Betz, 67, of Caledonia, died Friday, April 29, 2005, at the Caledonia Care Center.
She was born November 11, 1937, in Caledonia to Charles and Ruth (Pieper) Kuecker. They moved to Brownsville where she attended a one room schoolhouse through 6th grade. After attending parochial school Shirley graduated from Caledonia High School in 1955. On April 21, 1957, she married Stanley J. Betz at St. Johnís Evangelical Lutheran Church in Caledonia. Stanley preceded her in death on May 8, 2004. Shirley was employed at Sprague Bank for 16 years as a teller, bookkeeper, and stenographer.
Shirley and Stan built and operated the Redwood Cafe and Betzís D-X Station in Caledonia. They operated the cafe until 1972 and the station until 1975. Along with doing the books for Betz Enterprise Salvage, Shirley worked as a waitress-cook at places including Frankies, Wise Choice, Crest Supper Club, and Elmerís Supper Club.
For the past 28 years, Shirley has been employed at Northern Engraving in Spring Grove.
She was a member of the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191 Womenís Auxiliary in Caledonia and the Caledonia Homemakers Group. She enjoyed bowling on Tuesday Morning League, playing the piano, singing, gardening, friends and spending time with family. Her children and her grandchildren were the light of her life.
Survivors include her four children, Steven Betz of La Crescent, Sheila (Mike) Mengelt of La Crosse, Scott Betz of Caledonia, and Sandi (Jim) Likely of Minneapolis; five grandchildren, Danielle, Christopher, and Gregory Mengelt, and Steven and Caleb Likely; five siblings, Kenneth Kuecker, Alice (Harold) Kruse, Stanley Kuecker, Marilyn (Duane) Thomford, and John Kuecker; one sister-in-law Mary Ann Betz; and aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her in-laws; many aunts and uncles; and one nephew, Aaron Varney.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 7, 2005, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Johnís Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston St., Caledonia. Rev. Jon Wolff will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends and family may call at Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, 518 W. Main St., Caledonia, on Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com