Elizabeth (Bettie) Kleinmaus Sentz of LaCrossse died on July 4, 2010.
She was born February 14, 1917, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fifth of
six children of immigrant parents from Bokovar, Austria Hungary (now
Romania). She lived her early childhood years in Milwaukee, later
moving to Harlington, Texas at age 15 where her father farmed a 100
acre farm of various produce crops. On February 27, 1943 she married
the love of her life, Fred C. Sentz, also a descendent of an immigrated
Bokavian family. They spent their early married years apart while Fred
served in World War II and Bettie worked for the U.S. Department of
Defense in Washington, D.C.
Fred and Bettie eventually settled in Milwaukee, operating a busy
restaurant business with Bettie as chief cook. Fred later became
successful in real estate, and Bettie found her delight in cooking for
family and friends while making a home for her family. In their
retirement years, they moved to LaCrosse. Fred died in 1997, and Bettie
later moved to Niceville, Florida where, at age 85, she developed her
artistic talent in painting. She moved back to LaCrosse in 2005, saying
Wisconsin always felt like home.
Bettie made friends wherever she went. She was a living testament of
love and faith, as well as tenderness and toughness in the face of
adversity. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is
survived by her three children, Danny (Patricia) Sentz of Wasilla,
Alaska, Diana (Richard) Rowe of Niceville, Florida and Karen (Randall)
Condit of LaCrosse; four grandchildren, D. Cameron (Stephanie) Rowe,
Laura (Gabe) Ahlbin, Lindsey (Matthew) Stephan, and Adam (Alicia)
Condit; five great-grandchildren, Riley and Gavin Rowe, Madeline and
Amelia Stephan, and Shane Condit. Also special to Bettie were the
children of Patricia Stroik Sentz; Butch, Fred and Rodney, and their
families.
A special thank you to the exceptional staff at Bethany on Cass and
hospice. Their loving care will always be remembered.
A memorial service will be held in Milwaukee at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Gideon's International or Bethany on Cass
Renovation Project.
The Dickinson Family Funeral Home, Jackson Street Chapel is in charge
of the arrangements.