Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Halama, age 87, of rural Whitehall, died on Saturday, April
5, 2025 in the Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.
Betty was born on March 11, 1938 in Eau Claire to Frank and Ella (Henning)
Pavelski. She married Eugene J. Halama Sr. on September 28, 1957 in Saint
James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Eugene preceded Betty in
death on December 13, 2014.
She was raised in the Elk Lake area outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She
attended the rural school Pleasant Hill through the 8 th grade and then went to
Regis High School where she graduated.
After high school she worked for a large nursing home in Eau Claire. Eau Claire
is where she met Eugene J. Halama, Sr., the love of her life, at Fournier’s Dance
Hall.
Together they farmed all their life in the Whitehall area where they raised their
three children Eugene Jr., Barbara, and Cynthia. When the children grew up and
moved out Betty started working as a part time Secretary and Religious
Education Coordinator for St. John’s Catholic Church in Whitehall and St.
Ansgar Catholic Church in Blair. She took the full time secretary position for
both parishes five years later, and resigned as Religious Education Coordinator.
She continued as secretary for 23 years and retired in July, 2010 but continued
to volunteer at St. John’s until her passing.
In addition to being dedicated to St. John’s Catholic Church and PCCW women’s
church group, Betty also enjoyed playing cards with her friends, watching all
kinds of sports, especially the Milwaukee Brewers, crocheting, and spending
time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild.
Betty is survived by her three children, Eugene (Cindy) Halama Jr., Barbara (Roy)
Semb and Cynthia (David) Thompson all of Whitehall; nine grandchildren, Amy
(Mark) Dvorak, Eugene John Halama III, Nicole (Tyler) Halama-Olson, Jacob
(Ashley) Halama, Amber (Lee) Wegener, Nathan (Amber) Semb, Natasha Semb,
Theresa (Erik) Christopherson, and Mitchell Thompson; twenty three great
grandchildren, Jacob, Kendall Dvorak, Brianna, Hailey, Kayla, Natalie Halama,
Henry, Louis, Elizabeth, Edward Olson, Hadley, Brentley, Tenley, Quinnley,
Loxley, Isley Halama, Maverick Wegener, Shawnee, Jacelynn, Grayson, Sophia,
Sadie Semb, Graham Christopherson one great-great grandchild, Lainey Betts.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband, her parents, four brothers;
James, Frank, Donald, and Richard Pavelski and one sister LuCille Schumacher,
as well as their spouses, and one great grandchild, Mai Yeng.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 11:00 am. in
Saint John’s Catholic Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in
Whitehall. Father George will officiate.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 3-6 pm at Jack Funeral Home in
Whitehall followed by a prayer service and parish rosary held at 6:00 pm.
Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.