Betty Jane (Noeske) Lacey
April 30, 1927 – January 18, 2025
Mrs. Betty Jane (Noeske) Lacey, age 97, passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at her place of residence, Dimensions Living, in Appleton, Wisconsin.
She was born on April 30, 1927, to Walter Noeske and Ellen (Marrick) in a simple farmhouse located in Glendale, Wisconsin.
Betty and her brothers and sisters grew up during the Great Depression. She once reminisced that she helped her mother grow and preserve vegetables from their huge garden as a young child.
Betty graduated from Shorewood High School where she participated in the Life Saving Club. She utilized those skills working summers lifeguarding at Kletszch Park, which had a swimming area along the Milwaukee River. Betty’s passion for swimming would last a lifetime swimming several times a week until she was 90.
After graduation in 1945, the World War II war effort needed young women throughout the workforce. Betty went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to be trained to operate a teletype machine. After her schooling, Betty shortly worked for Western Union and then became employed by Aluminum Company of America in Chicago, Illinois
Betty and her roommate Liz had their eyes on two guys who lived across the street. One day, they decided to act when they noticed these fellas walking toward Lake Michigan with fishing poles over their shoulders. Pretending to be just out for a walk, the girls followed behind. Introductions were made over the lighting of cigarettes. Sparks literally and figuratively flew that day. Betty and Ray were married on Oct. 10, 1947. Liz also found love and she married the other guy, Bob.
Betty and Ray first lived in a duplex on Palmer Street. As their family expanded, they found their way back to the same farmhouse (with no plumbing) in which Betty had spent her childhood. Ray worked at the A & P. Betty found ways to stretch the family dollar by canning fruits and vegetables, making delicious homemade bread, sewing clothing, and knitting beautiful sweaters, afghans, and baby blankets.
In 1957, the Catholic Arch Diocese, who owned the 10 acre property, decided to build a new church and the family had to move. With four children in tow, they moved to a northside Milwaukee housing project called Berryland. In 1960, now with five mouths to feed, they purchased a bungalow on N. 40th Street near Custer Avenue where they remained for the next 24 years. One more son would arrive in 1968.
In the summer of 1984, Ray and Betty moved to rural Iola, Wisconsin, to a 10-acre parcel along the Flume Creek. Here they built their dream home. Ray stayed in the grocery business working at Piggly Wiggly in Waupaca. As Ray’s health declined, they moved to an apartment in Waupaca in the mid-1990s where Betty remained after his death in 1997.
Betty was active in her churches in Milwaukee, Northland, and Waupaca. She truly lived her Christian faith by sharing her love of Christ through serving others. She delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly and cared for her good friend Elaine. Betty was very engaged in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren following their sporting events, education successes, and life milestones.
Betty has the status as a Daughter of the American Revolution. She was the decedent of two men who fought in the Revolutionary War; Paul Newton and Zeba Leonard.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Raymond; grandson Daniel Mattson, son-in-law James Strelow; two brothers, Robert, and Kenneth; three sisters Marion Szudrowitz, Marjorie Noeske, and Joyce Paape.
Betty is survived by four sons, Michael (Patricia) Lacey of Hayward, David (Mary) Lacey of New Berlin, John (Jule) Lacey of Wauwatosa, and Gregory (Kimberly) Lacey of Greenville; two daughters, Judith Lacey of Watertown, and Lynn Strelow of Appleton; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer, Natalie, Matthew, Michael, Jamie, Joshua, Jordan, Jeffrey, Heather, Tess, Mary, and Joseph; twelve great-grandchildren; one sister, Deanna Wergin of West Bend. Besides her family, she leaves many friends who will sadly miss her.
A memorial service for Betty is planned on Saturday, Feb. 1, at noon at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, Wisconsin. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at noon at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Burial of cremains will take place at Wisconsin Memorial Park at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in her honor to Trinity Lutheran Church 206 East Badger Street, Waupaca, WI 54981.