Betty Lou LaBair

Betty Lou LaBair, 91, of Mondovi passed away at The HomePlace on Monday, Jan. 14, with her family at her side. Betty was born to John and Mable (Einder) Upleger on Oct. 12, 1927, in Richmond Township, Michigan. She was the third child of four children—two sisters: Gladys and Lois and one brother: Ronald. On Sept. 20, 1947, Betty was united in marriage to Wilfred “Red” LaBair at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Imlay City, Mich. The following year, she gave birth to a son, Garnold “Garnie” Wilfred. The family of three resided in Imlay City, where she stayed home with Garnie and Red worked on his father’s farm. In 1953, they moved to Baldwin, Wis., after purchasing a 200-acre farmstead, where they milked cows and had laying hens. A daughter, LuAnn, was born in 1965. During her time in Baldwin, Betty was active at First Reformed Church. In 1972, the family of four moved to Mondovi, where they purchased a farmstead, which was named LaCrest Hill Farm. Later, Betty and Red moved to town, but didn’t settle into full retirement until several years after. Betty was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother—there wasn’t anything she enjoyed more than spending time with her grandchildren and, of course, spoiling them. She took great pride in taking care of her family. Betty was a talented crafter, enjoying creating décor and taking ceramics classes. Aside from her duties as wife, mother and grandmother, she worked at Arleen’s Shoppe and Gehrke Floral, in Mondovi. Betty was active in the community, especially Central Lutheran Church, where she served as chairwoman and treasurer of the Naomi Circle. She also volunteered time at The HomePlace. She is survived by her two children, Garnold (Mary Jo) LaBair and LuAnn (James) Payne of Mondovi; five grandchildren, Nicole (Michael) Merrell of Spooner, Troy (Stephanie) LaBair of Eau Claire, Nash Weiss of Madison, Ryan (Kelli) Payne of Mondovi, Matthew (Jessa) Payne of Strum; seven great-grandchildren, Brianne, Shay, Kaylee, Elodie, Kenlee, Theodore and Cedar; one sister-in-law, Delores; one brother-in-law, Duane (Patricia) LaBair; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilfred; her siblings, Gladys, Lois and Ronald; in-laws, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at Central Lutheran Church, in Mondovi, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Rolf Morck officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 9 a.m. Interment will be in Riverside Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. The family requests donations be made to Central Lutheran Church in Betty’s name.