Betty Boyea

Betty Jean Boyea, 93, of Chippewa Falls, passed away Saturday, Aug. 2 at Our House Senior Living in Chippewa Falls.

Betty was born to Rufus Lafayette and Gladys (Cooley) Irwin in Chippewa Falls June 9, 1932. Rufus was from North Carolina, and Gladys was from Nebraska. The family moved several times, eventually settling west of Cadott in the town of Sigel. Betty attended schools in Chippewa Falls and graduated from Cadott High School, where she was the drum majorette, in 1951. She then worked in Milwaukee, and returned to the area to work at Eau Claire Pressure Cooker. She also worked at Reiter’s Steakhouse in the town of Lafayette.

Betty married Clarence Boyea Sept. 5, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cadott. They bought a house on big Lake Wissota, and she worked at Peter’s Meats in Eau Claire from the 1960s until 1970. They moved to Cadott and started Boyea’s Salvage Yard in the town of Sigel in the mid-1960s.

They loved to travel, taking Sunday rides on area back roads, and trips to 39 states, Canada and Mexico. Betty took many photos and notes during these trips, and she always had film in the camera for family moments.

They were members of English Lutheran Church of Bateman, where Betty organized and led the “sing and play” group. She was also involved with the Holiday Home Tour and most other church events.

Betty and Clarence retired in 1986 and moved to Chippewa Falls in March of 1987, where they lived a long and happy retirement. They enjoyed many walks together to the local duck pond, and at Irvine Park. They spent their first winter in Arizona in 1992, bought a house in Green Valley, and spent their last winter there in 2014. Clarence passed away in January of 2019, and she moved to Our House Senior Living in January of 2023.

Betty’s devotion to her family was very strong, as was her kindness for other people. She was involved in her children’s activities and embraced their friends. Betty grew up on a farm with her older brother Roland, and they remained close until Roland passed away in 2003. She qualified for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, but declined to join.

Betty had many pets throughout her life. She was especially fond of horses, and they were one of the reasons she enjoyed watching Westerns and parades.

Betty led a very active life. She learned to hunt and fish from her father, and she swam, rode bicycle and did other exercises to stay healthy. She kept her house and yard looking nice, stained and varnished furniture, did a lot of baking and cooking, sewing and visiting with her friends. Betty also sang at funerals and sold encyclopedias.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Kathy Henderson and Linda Boyea, and one son, David, all of Chippewa Falls; granddaugher Laura (Jeremy Bowe) Henderson of Chippewa Falls, grandson Jason (Candace) Henderson of Virginia; three other grandchildren; great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Donald (Roberta), of Sparta; five sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Betty in death were her husband, Clarence; her parents; her brother and sister-in-law, Roland “Speed” and Helen (Erlien) Irwin; grandparents; five brothers-in-law; a son-in-law, Jeffrey Henderson; one niece and two nephews; and many friends and pets.

Betty will be reunited with Clarence at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Spooner on the 72nd anniversary of their wedding, Friday, Sept. 5. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Chippewa County Humane Association.

Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services Cadott, WI.