Elizabeth J. Lau

Elizabeth “Bettie” J. Lau, 91, of Oconomowoc, died peacefully Monday March 25, 2019 at her residence in Shorehaven. Bettie was born November 23, 1927 in West Salem to Sigvard and Laura (Halverson) Hetland. She married David C. Lau in 1951, and they raised their two children, Jim and Kristin, in Watertown and Oconomowoc. Bettie grew up in the hilly coulee country of West Salem, near LaCrosse, Wisconsin, playing piano, singing with her sister and brother, dancing the jitterbug, picking wildflowers and berries in the woods, gathering with family and friends at her grandfather’s farm. She said, “we did the simple things, all within a 40 mile radius of home.” She loved little children, earned a teaching degree from UW Madison, and taught two years before starting a family. She was an ever-watchful, thoughtful mother and grandmother. Her grandkids Lindsey and Olin nicknamed her Honey, a name she treasured. Together with Dave, she enjoyed sharing their lives during Wisconsin summertime, many spring break adventures, and Montana holidays. Bettie volunteered in her community for the YMCA Board, the Hospital Auxiliary Board, church board, and held offices with P.E.O. She played a competitive tennis game, was a dedicated book club member, and played piano at Shorehaven for 31 years. Her friends and acquaintances alike loved her Norwegian spunk and spirit. Her opinions were strong but she would soften them to hear the other side of things. She left breadcrumbs of family heritage for her daughter Kristin to follow. She loved birds and she passed away to their early morning songs on a beautiful blue-skied, crisp spring day. Bettie is survived by her husband David; daughter Kristin (Randy) Wimberg; grandchildren Lindsey and Olin Wimberg; sister Mary Ellen Mulder of Warren, New Jersey; and preceded by her son James Lau. A service in memory of Bettie will be held at Shorehaven Chapel in Oconomowoc on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 3pm.