BETTY SUE CROTHERS
BETTY SUE CROTHERS
Betty Sue Crothers, 85, of Neillsville, WI, died peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Clark County Rehab & Living Center in Owen, WI.
Betty Sue Crothers was born Oct. 20, 1937, in Lawley, AL, the daughter of Benjamin Russell and Honnah Dee (Craig) Shoults. She attended Bibb County High School, where she was involved in many activities, including lead majorette for the marching band. She met George H. Crothers on the beach at Gulf Shores, AL, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy at Pensacola, FL. After a short courtship, they married Nov. 6, 1955, and moved to Neillsville, WI. There they assumed ownership of the family dairy farm and started a family. When asked what she was going to do with that big farm house, she answered, “I’m going to fill it with kids!” And she did … raising six of them.
Betty Sue’s passions were her husband, her children and her faith. She was an excellent gardener and cook, raising most of the food her family ate. She was especially famous for her homemade bread. Sue also loved serving at church (Church of God in Eau Claire, WI), where over the years she played piano, sang in the choir and provided beautiful bouquets of silk flowers.
Betty Sue spent the last year of her life at the Clark County Rehab and Living Center in Owen, WI. She truly grew to love their nursing staff and the caregivers from St. Croix Hospice. Her family is extremely grateful for their competent and compassionate service.
Betty Sue is survived by her six children, Ed (Lynn) Crothers of Neillsville, WI, Melani (Kevin) Gaddis of Neillsville, WI, Carolyn Lane of Spring Lake Park, MN, George (Judy) Crothers of Neillsville, WI, Donald (Rita) Crothers of Neillsville, WI and Stephen (Anne) Crothers of Hillsboro, OR; her brother, Willard (Carol) Shoults of Centerville, AL; and her sister Sharon Deerman of Centreville, AL. She is further survived by 16 grandchildren, Katelyn (Michael) Iasiello, Megan Crothers, Ryan Gaddis, Dustin (Marissa) Gaddis, Rebecca Lane, Mitchell (K-Lee) Lane, Amanda (Tom) Wilke, Russell (Sara) Kleinschmidt, Samantha (Austin) Crothers, Alexis (Blake) Crothers, Aaron Watton, Dakota Watton, Nolan Watton, Garrett Watton, Adam (Victoria) Watton and Ellian Nichols. Betty Sue is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Erich Gaddis; Layla and Brodie Lane; Andrya, Grayce and Aedynn Wilke; Blair Jones; Freyja Crothers; Aden, Vanessa, Asher and Axton Watton; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George H. Crothers, after 51 years of marriage, and by her parents, Benjamin and Honnah Shoults.
A celebration of Betty Sue Crothers’ life was held at Gesche’s Funeral Home in Neillsville, with interment from 12 to 12:15 p.m. at Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation was held at the Gesche Funeral Home Monday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 10 to 11 a.m., with a memorial service at 11 a.m. Betty Sue’s family greatly appreciates the kindness and assistance of the Gesche staff.
Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.
Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Betty Sue’s family with funeral arrangements.