Elizabeth J. "Betty" O'Keefe

PORTAGE  -- Elizabeth J. “Betty” O’Keefe, age 84, died on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Divine Savior Extended Care in Portage.   

Betty was born on May 1, 1926, in Darlington, the daughter of Adelbert and Zoe (Hampton) Wickus.  She graduated from Adams-Friendship High School.  She had four brothers and one sister, Ron, Russ, Roger, Dick and Kaye.  She married Bernard John O’Keefe on February 23, 1946, together they had 11 children.  For many years Betty raised her children, and worked on the farm; she occasionally waitressed at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant.  Her hobbies included feeding birds (especially hummingbirds), raising flowers and vegetables, reading and completing word puzzles.  Betty was not a big traveler and felt that home was where she belonged.  She loved having her family around and always made it a special occasion when her children would come home.  Betty and her husband wanted to raise a baseball team, who knew they were going to have mostly girls?  

Betty is survived by her children, Vickie (Fred) Morris, Mary (Bill) Ward, Pat (Duane) Schultz, Peg O’Keefe, Mickie (Gary) Roehr, Kathy (Mike) Hartman, Bernie (Keith) Keller, Terrie O’Keefe, Lori (Kevin) Murphy, Chuck (Patti) O’Keefe, and Tim (Janice) O’Keefe; 21 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, other relatives and many friends.  Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bernard John O’Keefe, and her great-granddaughter, Summer Rockefeller.   

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Briggsville, with Fr. Jim Murphy presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Briggsville.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass, at the church.  The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at Divine Savior Extended Care for their compassionate care of Betty.

Memorials may be made to Divine Savior Extended Care in Portage.

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