Betty J. Larsen, age 92, of Hudson, WI, passed away on February 25, 2015 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson.

Betty was born on August 3, 1922 in Barron County, WI to Ortwin and Marie (Schnacky) Helpap. They lived on a farm in Oak Grove Township.  She attended rural grade school for eight years and attended high school in Rice Lake, WI.

She was united in marriage to Hugh “Bud” Doonan on July 13, 1940, and they would be blessed with two children, Doreen and Dennis. The marriage later ended in divorce in the late 1950’s. 

On January 7, 1963 she was united in marriage to Joe Larsen in Sissiton, SD.  This union added five step-children to her family: Mike, Larry, Joleen, Monica, and Jim.

In 1963, they purchased a bar in Spring Valley, WI and remained there for 10 years. While in Spring Valley, Betty worked as a secretary for the Pierce County Tavern League. 

Her family returned to Hudson in 1973, where she returned to work at West Publishing in St. Paul, where she worked until retirement in 1984. She previously worked at several places including Brown & Bigelow and Minnesota Mining. 

She enjoyed doing craft work, crocheting, reading, and traveling, especially going south for the winters. She also loved her time out shopping with family and friends at  Herbergers, especially a good sale.

Betty was a member of St. Patrick’s parish, Ladies Guild, and CKIS. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; son, Dennis; grandson, Randy Patrick Deal; her parents; two brothers, Orvis and Roger Helpap; and one sister, Junie Wuethrich.

Betty will remain in the hearts of her daughter, Doreen (Randy) Deal; step-children:  Mike (Kathy) Larsen, Larry (Jean) Larsen, Joleen Stadsklev, Monica (Ron) Olson and Jim (Pat) Larsen; daughter-in-law, Marjorie Doonan Gross; sister-in-law, Shirley Helpap; 19 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.  

Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 6, 2015 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1500 Vine St., Hudson.  A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at church. Interment will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Hudson.  Please wear some glitz- a little, or a lot- Betty would love it!