Betty Ann (Peterson) Grefe-Hass, 82, of Merrill, passed away Monday, Nov. 15, 2010 at Pine Crest Nursing Home under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.
She was born March 8, 1928 to Reinhart & Dorothy (Boetcher) Peterson. Betty married Paul “Pete” H. Grefe on June 3, 1947. He preceded her in death on Aug. 12, 1975. She married Carlos Hass in May of 2009. He survives.
Betty attended Plamann School until the age of 14 when she started working at Pope Dairy. She worked for a short time at the Pea Cannery then washed dishes at the Legion Lounge. After she and Pete married she became a home maker. Betty loved to cook, travel, watch & feed the birds, knit, crochet, and play bingo with Alice. She especially enjoyed car rides with her children and spending time with her grandchildren. Betty attended many activities and was known at Pine Crest for her smile. Betty held onto her wonderful sense of humor until the end.
Survivors include her husband, Carlos Hass, Merrill; children, Tom (Marsha) Peterson, Egan, MN, Paulette (Dennis) Rothmeyer, Phillip (Mary) Grefe, Bonnie (Phil) Stucky, all of Merrill, David (Julie) Grefe, Mary (Chuck) Gorton, all of Van Couver, WA, Peter (Amy) Grefe, Matt (Beth) Grefe, all of Merrill and Angie (Perry Waldvogel) Grefe, Wausau; 31 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 more great-grandchildren on the way; sisters, Ruth Jane Heath and Carol (Tony) Garcia, all of Merrill; brother Reinhart (Sally Peterson), Tomahawk; brother-in-law Earl Thompson, Wausau; sisters-in-law, Margaret Peterson, Milwaukee, Phyllis Wendland, Merrill, Ethel Baumbach, Burlington, and Dorothy Grefe, Milwaukee; many nieces and nephews and all of her friends at Pine Crest. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul “Pete” Grefe, brother, Donald Peterson, brother and sister-in-law, William (Rosalie) Peterson, and sister, Shirley Thompson.
Services will be Thursday, Nov. 18, at 11 p.m. at Waid Funeral Home. Pastor Missy Holdorf will officiate. Visitation will be 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, also from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Waid Funeral Home and again from 10-11 a.m. Thursday before the service at the funeral home. The family has requested donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.