Elizabeth "Betty" Waytashek

Elizabeth Lou “Betty” Waytashek, age 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2026, while a resident at Meadow Ponds Assisted Living in Pierz. She had been living there since June of 2018 and was well-liked by her fellow residents and staff. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Lastrup, MN, with Fr. Aaron Nett officiating. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Lastrup. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Tuesday and 9:30 to 10:30 AM Wednesday at LeMieur Funeral Home in Pierz. A Prayer Service will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday. Caring for Betty and her family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Pierz, MN. Betty was born on July 14, 1931, to the late Frank and Anna (Boser) Tretter at home on their family farm near Hillman, MN. The 4th eldest of 13 siblings consisting of 6 brothers and 7 sisters. Around 1940 the family would move to a farm near Shady Brook. She was united in marriage to Vernon Waytashek on September 12, 1950 at St John’s Church in Lastrup and they raised eight children on the Lastrup family farm during their 42 years of marriage. Betty also worked for many years at the Pierz Villa in addition to being a member of St. John’s Church in Lastrup, Christian Mothers and the Legion Auxiliary. Family was very important to Betty. Even though she was extremely nervous about flying, she did make two trips to Alaska to visit her daughter and their family. She cherished being visited by grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great-grandkids. Family always brought her joy, as did all the digital photos she got to view every day. Betty is survived by her children, Linda (Jim) Schwanke of Kenai, Alaska, Sandy (Dennis) Krych of Pierz, MN, Sharon (Warren) Case of Brainerd, Cindy (Dick) Brumberg of Eureka, SD, Kathy (Mike) Jutz of Blaine, MN, and Brian (Janice) Waytashek of Otsego, MN; sister, Gloria Thomsen and brother, Daryl Tretter. 16 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great Grandchildren. Blessed be her memory. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Anna; husband, Vernon in 1992; sons, Kevin and Dale; siblings, Elmer, Norman, Cleora Schmuck, Janet, Marvin, Ted, Donny, Elaine Bayer, Caryl McGuire and Sharon.

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Elizabeth "Betty" Waytashek

July 14, 1931 - March 30, 2026