Betty McDonald

Betty L. McDonald passed away on September 27, 2025, at age 100. She was born to Henry and Florence Dennis on the family farm in Menomonie, WI, one of eleven children.

Betty’s school years were spent attending a one room school, graduating in 1942. During World War II she worked at Badger Ordnanace Works in Baraboo, WI supporting the war effort, making rocket powder. After the war she worked for North Western Bell in Minneapolis, MN.

Betty married Ben McDonald in 1952 and they eventually moved to Wausau, WI where they made their life home. In 1968 she started working for Prange’s department store and retired from Younkers in 2017, after 49 years in retail. Betty loved to dance. Ben and Betty enjoyed many nights of dancing to country music bands at the former Howard Johnsons’s Parlor Car. She was an avid reader and loved her yard and flower gardening. She was a lifelong member of the Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church.

She is survived by her son, Tom (Joni) McDonald, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren, one sister, Marlys Beguhn, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Ben, daughter Suzanne Witt and 9 siblings.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, October 2. 2025 at 11:00 am at Brainard Funeral Home- Wausau Chapel, 522 Adams Street, Wausau. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at the funeral home.

A special thank you to the care givers at New Perspective Sr Living in Sun Prairie, WI and the Bristol Hospice staff.

In lieu of flowers donations are preferred, to Catholic Charities USA or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.