On Friday, February 6, 2015, our mom, Betty J. Herlache, received her heavenly wings and started her journey to be reunited with her beloved husband, Clayton Herlache, her son, Clayton "C.J." Herlache Junior and grandson, Jason David Klaus, as well as several other family members and friends. Mom was born on August 10, 1923 to the late Harry and Martha (Doepke) Liesch in Green Bay. In 1930, her parents built their home in Northeast Green Bay. Five generations of our family have resided within our grandparent's home up to the present time. It has remained a gathering place with heartfelt memories of days gone by. Mom graduated from East High School in 1941 and went on to success in several positions, including Green Bay Awning and Tent, Northern Paper Mill, Moore Business Forms (currently R.R. Donnaly), Green Bay Public Schools as a teacher's assistant, in addition to having 8 children which she considered her most important job of all. She was also a Hallmark Card staff person with several other seniors traveling about N. E. Wisconsin. Mom truly enjoyed this part of her career the most where she met and befriended several people who enjoyed life as she did. In 1944, Mom and Dad were married November 24 at the Priest House of St. Peter and Paul Church. They lived in Quanico, VA while Dad was serving in the Marine Corps. In 1972, dad passed away which forever changed all of us. Life was difficult for a while, but then Mom relied on her deep faith and the wonderful support from her entire family. In 1974, she bought her little cottage on the south shore of Shawano Lake where she and our youngest siblings moved to... at first just for the summers, but then full-time. It was the happiest Mom had been for a long while. At the age of 74, she obtained her very first computer and aside from a few classes, was "self-taught". She really enjoyed this accomplishment. In 1976 Mom finally retired and returned to a few of her favorite passionssewing, quilt-making and craft décor. She spent many times fishing off her dock and pontoon boat. It was quite exciting when we came across an old picture of her parents fishing on Shawano Lake in the 1940's. Mom's life was filled with many "favorite" people and events: a Kroll's hamburger with a Bud Light, Christmas candy run with Marty every year, putting up her Christmas Village and tree with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, bonfires, booyah parties, her annual August gathering and family reunions, gathering all of her grandchildren every summer for a huge sleepover/vacation at her little blue cottage on the lake. She was a memory maker and creator for each and every one of them. One of her favorite events was traveling throughout the country to visit new places and especially to visit her relatives, daughters, nieces and nephews and her grandchildren. Family was her reward in life. Mom lived with dignity, compassion, kindness and always with the good Lord in her heart! Her faith was unyielding! Mom was preceded in death by: her parents, Harry and Martha Liesch; husband, Clayton J. Herlache; son, Clayton Heralche, Jr; grandson, Jason David Klaus; brothers and sisters, Beatrice (Jim) Trapp, Milton (Evelyn) Liesch, Gordon (Thelma) Liesch, Joyce (Leo) Fonder, Virginia (Bill) Marto, Cliff (Ruth) Liesch; in-laws, Joseph and Melvina Herlache, Mildred Herlache, Alvin and Dorothy Herlache, Arbutus Lindbo, Arletta and Carl Bunkelman, Kenneth and Arlene Herlache, Sister Joyce Marie Herlache SDS, Francis (Hunce) Murphy; as well as several nieces, nephews and friends. Sister Joyce Marie was Mom's beloved confidant, her source of comfort and her inspiration. It was a tremendous loss for mom! Lila Fay Kuske was mom's life-long friend from the neighborhood. Our families grew up together. Mom and Lila held a bond of understanding and compassion between them. It was back in the day when adults were addressed by their title, such as Mrs. K and Mrs. H, which they were known as. To this day, they are both referred to by these titlesrespect shown. Again, this was a tremendous loss for Mom. It warms our hearts that they will be one again unitedno doubt chatting over a pot of coffee and some sweet rolls. Those of us left behind, are left with loving thoughts of a wonderful, humorous, strong, dedicated and heartfelt mom, grandma, great-grandma, mother-in-law, aunt and friend. Betty is survived by: her children, Marty (Jerry) Olsen, Kathie (Bill) Piontek, Dan (Jane) Herlache, Cheryl Herlache Daly (James Daly), Jeanette (David) Klaus, Scott (Cheryl) Herlache, Brian (Tracey) Herlache; a daughter-in-law, Linda (Hess) Herlache; her grandchildren, Heather Piontek, Alissa (Tom) Cotter, Erica (Sam) Koss, Brad (Jill) Olsen, Melissa Olsen, Christopher (Nicole) Herlache, Jessica (Eric) Jantz, Vicki (Nick) Groose, Amy Klaus, Shannon Daly, Jessie Daly, Erin Dorney, Jeffrey Dorney, Kasie Kamps, Jenn (Jeff) Kuhn, Ben (Misty) Kadonsky and Ken (Katie) Kadonsky; 26 great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law, Lois (Herlache) Murphy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with the Rev. Steven Hyvonen officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the staff and volunteers of Maple Lane Health and Rehabilitation Center and the outstanding compassion shown to Mom by Hospice Advantage. A memorial fund has been established in honor of Betty J. Herlache to the following organization: N.E.W. CURATIVE ALZHEIMERS PROGRAM INSIDERS GROUPS 1 & 2 ATTN: DENISE MISOVEC P.O. BOX 8027 GREEN BAY, WI 54308 (Please include BETTY HERLACHE MEMORIAL in the notation)