Thomas J. Bettis

Thomas J. Bettis, 76 of Onalaska passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017. He was born April 13, 1941 in La Crosse to Joseph and Viola (Schmidt) Bettis and graduated from Aquinas High School. Tom served in the United States Air Force from March of 1960 until his honorable discharge in October of 1963. He married Bernita A. Hafner in 1975 in Joliet, IL.

Tom had worked as a tool & die specialist for Caterpillar Tractor in Joliet for 31 years until his retirement in 1993. Following his retirement, the family returned to the La Crosse area where Tom worked at Blain’s Farm & Fleet for 12 years.

In addition to his loving wife Bernita, he is survived by a son; Michael Amy (Bettis) of La Crosse; two daughters, Kelly (Kevin Bartenberger) Bettis of Amelia, OH and Holly Mitchell of Mauston, WI; six grandchildren, Ben, Tim and Abbey Bettis, Shyanne Bettis, Savannah and Lauren Mitchell; a sister, Mari (Patrick) Giblin of Santa Rosa, CA; a brother, Bill (Kathy) Bettis of South Elgin, IL; four sisters-in-law, Gerri Nunemacher, Kathy Graf, Mary Hafner and Jeannie (Al Brohmer) Meyer; three brothers-in-law, Dan Hafner ,Bob Hafner (Sue Horihan) and Ken Williams, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Jack Bettis; a sister, Marlene Williams and a brother-in-law, Harry Nunemacher.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. It’s now called character or wrinkles if you like. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. May our friendship be like a flower garden, beautiful and full of fragrance. The caretaker of the garden will pull the weeds. May you always have a rainbow of smiles on your face and a ray of the sunshine in your heart. A breath of fresh air to breathe. Inhale all the good things God gave us to enjoy for me I will leave a path sprinkled with fairy dust for you to follow. Until we meet again look for signs, I am around you!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 3rd at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse with Rev. Brian D. Konopa officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of services. Military honors will be held immediately following the Mass.