Elizabeth “Betty” A. Halama
Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Halama, 87, of rural Whitehall, died Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.
Betty was born March 11, 1938, in Eau Claire, to Frank and Ella (Henning) Pavelski. She married Eugene J. Halama Sr., September 28, 1957, at Saint James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Eugene preceded Betty in death, December 13, 2014.
She was raised in the Elk Lake area outside of Eau Claire. Betty attended Pleasant Hill rural school through the 8th grade, and then went to Regis High School where she graduated.
After high school, she worked for a large nursing home in Eau Claire. Eau Claire is where she met Eugene J. Halama, Sr., the love of her life, at Fournier’s Dance Hall.
Together, they farmed all their life in the Whitehall area where they raised their three children: Eugene Jr., Barbara and Cynthia. When the children grew up and moved out, Betty started working as a part-time Secretary and Religious Education Coordinator for St. John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall and St. Ansgar Catholic Church in Blair. She took the full-time secretary position for both parishes five years later, and resigned as Religious Education Coordinator. Betty continued as secretary for 23 years and retired in July, 2010, but continued to volunteer at St. John’s until her passing.
In addition to being dedicated to St. John’s Catholic Church and PCCW women’s church group, Betty also enjoyed playing cards with her friends, watching all kinds of sports, especially the Milwaukee Brewers, crocheting, and spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchild.
Betty is survived by her three children: Eugene (Cindy) Halama Jr., Barbara (Roy) Semb and Cynthia (David) Thompson all of Whitehall; nine grandchildren: Amy (Mark) Dvorak, Eugene John Halama III, Nicole (Tyler) Halama-Olson, Jacob (Ashley) Halama, Amber (Lee) Wegener, Nathan (Amber) Semb, Natasha Semb, Theresa (Erik) Christopherson, and Mitchell Thompson; 23 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Kendall Dvorak, Brianna, Hailey, Kayla, Natalie Halama, Henry, Louis, Elizabeth, Edward Olson, Hadley, Brentley, Tenley, Quinnley, Loxley, Isley Halama, Maverick Wegener, Shawnee, Jacelynn, Grayson, Sophia, Sadie Semb, Graham Christopherson; and one great-great grandchild, Lainey Betts.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband; her parents; four brothers: James, Frank, Donald, and Richard Pavelski; and one sister, LuCille Schumacher; as well as their spouses; and one great-grandchild, Mai Yeng.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, April 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Saint John’s Catholic Church, with burial at Lincoln Cemetery, both in Whitehall. Father George will officiate.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall, followed by a prayer service and parish rosary held at 6:00 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
