Elisabeth M. Shanley-Butterfield

Elisabeth M. “Betty” Shanley-Butterfield of Onalaska, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on October 7, 2023 at Onalaska Care Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin.

Betty was born to Eugene and Zita (Knothe) Schwanbeck in La Crosse, Wisconsin on August 3, 1926. She grew up in La Crosse and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1944.  She worked for a number of local attorneys as a legal secretary. On May 28, 1945 she married Gerald “Jerry” Shanley at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in La Crosse, WI.  Jerry enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve and then began active duty in the V-12 program at Northwestern University. He received his commission as an ensign, USNR, in May, 1946 and was assigned to the Navy ship YW118.

Following his naval duty Betty and Jerry owned and operated the Model Market grocery store and wholesale meat business on 9th and Vine Street in La Crosse. They had the only hamburger patty making machine in La Crosse and that kept them busy even on weekends. Yet they began a family which grew to four children and enjoyed golfing, bowling and playing cards with friends. They also were avid Green Bay Packer and Chicago Cub fans.

After retiring in 1973, they spent many winters in Las Vegas and quality time with family and friends. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1995 with a large family gathering. Jerry passed away four years later on March 16, 1999.

In 2002, Betty found happiness again when she began to date Clyde Butterfield of La Crosse. Clyde and his wife Beverly had five children and 51 wonderful years together. She passed away on April 23, 2000.

After a courtship of 15 months, Betty and Clyde married at the Cathedral of St. Joseph The Workman in La Crosse on August 23, 2003. Their reception was at the American Legion Post 52 in La Crosse. Clyde was a veteran of World War II having served in the United States Navy on Merchant Marine ships escorting Navy vessels in the South Pacific. As a member of American Legion Post 52, he was very active giving back to the community; he served on the firing squad and felt very privileged honoring other veterans at their gravesides.

The two families with 9 married children came together as they began their new life together. Betty and Clyde enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and visiting Schmidty’s Restaurant, the L & M Tap, and the Bluffside Bar to socialize with friends. They also enjoyed trips to Maine, Las Vegas, and Florida, as well as weekly bus trips to the casino, but most of all they enjoyed numerous large family cookouts and celebrations.  After fifteen years of marriage Clyde passed away on August 19, 2018 at the age of 93.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Sue (Patrick) Rieland of Onalaska and three sons; John Shanley of Onalaska, Paul (Maribeth) Shanley of Cedar Rapids, IA and Mark (Amy) Shanley of Windsor, WI; 11 grandchildren, Mary (Jeff) Mormann, David (Helen) Rieland, Ann (Mark) Kilbey, John (Vicky) Shanley Jr, Brian (Victoria) Shanley, Steven (Valerie) Shanley, Sara (Jason) Danielson, Michael (Jennifer) Shanley, Tom Shanley, Barb (Kory) Kolb, Erin (Chris) Ditscheit; 28 great-grandchildren; Katie (Klint) Wales, Allison Mormann, Julie (Thomas) Rieland-Marks, Erik Rieland, Sid Kilbey, Salem Kilbey, Cade Shanley, Dylan Shanley, Egan Shanley, Peyton Shanley, Vivian Shanley, Evan Shanley, Carter Danielson, Maxwell Danielson, Isaac Danielson, Forest Hatch, Lexi Hatch, Paige Shanley, Gracie Shanley, Mattie Shanley, Sadie Shanley, Kaisen Kolb, Kamdyn Kolb, Kyeton Kolb, Eliana Ditscheit, Josephine Ditscheit, Natalie Ditscheit, and Camille Ditscheit. Betty is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who were special to her.

She is also survived by the very special Butterfield family she married into; Daniel (Susan) Butterfield, Dennis (Melany) Butterfield, Deborah (Dennis) Dinsmore, Diane Johnson, Dale (Lisa) Butterfield, and the Butterfield grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her two husbands, Jerry and Clyde, as well as her parents; brothers Eugene and his wife Leona Schwanbeck and Ralph and his wife Dorothy Schwanbeck; her sister Zita and her husband Joseph Fiebig; and her daughter-in-law Dorothy Shanley. She was also preceded in death by two great- grandsons, Aiden and Samuel Danielson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Onalaska Care Center as well as the Gundersen Health System Hospice Team for the kind and compassionate care they gave Betty especially during the last few emotional weeks. The family would also like to thank the Funeral Coordinator from Mary Mother of The Church who met with Betty periodically to hear her final wishes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, WI. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held in the church hall. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. Burial will follow the service in the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mary, Mother of the Church, The American Legion, Post 52, 711 6th St.  South, La Crosse, WI 54601, or to the charity of your choice.