Fourth Generation

81. Carroll BETTHAUSER was born on 21 March 1932 in Norwalk, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁵ He died on 23 July 2015 at the age of 83 in Oakdale, Oakdale Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁵

Obituary Notes: "Carroll Betthauser, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Oakdale July 23, 2015. He was born March 21, 1932, to William and Rose (Kruk) Betthauser in Norwalk. He was a 1949 graduate of Tomah High School. He married Marlene Downey in 1961, and together raised three children, Laurie, Steven and Kenneth. They remained married for 24 years.

Carroll enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in late 1949, embarking on more than 40 years of service to the U.S. Army and to the state of Wisconsin. Initially assigned to the 732nd Ordnance Maintenance Co. in Tomah, he was honorably discharged in 1952, and began his second career working for the USPFO at Volk Field in Camp Douglas. He re-enlisted in November of 1955, serving another three years. In September of 1961, he was recalled to active duty service and assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division of the Sixth U.S. Army in Fort Lewis, Wash. He returned to Wisconsin in August 1962, and remained with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, serving at Armories in Oshkosh, the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division in Wisconsin Rapids, and Camp Douglas until retirement in March 1992.
Outside of the military, Carroll was an active member in the community of Oakdale, serving for several years as chairman and on many community boards. He believed with all his heart that Oakdale was the greatest place on earth and never stopped searching for ways to make the community a better place. In his younger days he could frequently be found at either of the two local gathering places, campaigning to win support for local initiatives. After his retirement he also started a tree farm. Betthauser’s Nursery was active with the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Growers for a number of years.

Carroll was an avid horseshoe player and fisherman, but his true calling in retired life was for collecting and conversation; for him, there was no specific distinction between the two. Every trinket and bobble collected had a story and a price to match. Garage sales and auctions were his source of inspiration; fishing tackle was his masterpiece. He loved meeting and talking with new people, and for those who needed it, to extend a helping hand.

He is survived by his daughter, Laurie (John) Collison of Trempealeau; sons, Steven (Dawne) Betthauser of Trempealeau, Kenneth (Christa) of Shelby Township, Mich.; and seven grandchildren, Kasey (Seamus) Brennan, Heather Betthauser, Lauren and Claire Collison, and Tyler, Zachary, and Liam Betthauser. He also is survived by sister-in-law, Garnet Betthauser of Oakdale; nephews, David and Mark Betthauser of Oakdale; nieces, Jane Brennan of Viola, Jean Drinkman of Tomah, Rosemary Campano and Darlene Moody both of Raleigh, N.C.; and his beloved friend, Yvonne Letson of Mauston; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; ex-wife, Marlene Betthauser; sister, Gwen (Wendell) Hagen; brothers, Gerald (Evelyn) Betthauser, LaVern Betthauser; and nephews, Gerald (Jerry) Betthauser Jr, and Wendell (Butch) Hagen Jr.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29 at Queen of the Apostles Parish at St. Mary’s Church, 303 W. Monroe St., Tomah. Msgr. Richard W. Gilles and Father Clayton Elmhorst will concelebrate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery will military honors by the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Parrish rosary recited at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and from 9:30 a.m. until time of the Mass Wednesday at the church. Memorials can be made to the Oakdale Fire Association (Volunteer Fire Department), Box 93, Oakdale, Wis., 54649."

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Carroll BETTHAUSER and Marlene DOWNEY were married in 1961.⁶⁵ They⁶⁵ were divorced.⁶⁵ Marlene DOWNEY died before July 2015.³⁵

Carroll BETTHAUSER and Marlene DOWNEY had the following children: