Betty Janice Riley

December 15, 1927 – April 13, 2025

Betty Janice Riley, 97, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully from natural causes at her residence at Brookdale Assisted Living.

Born in La Crosse on December 15, 1927, to Lyle and Betty Dusso, Betty grew up alongside her siblings, the late Fern Marie Blell, Marjorie Thygesen, and Ted Dusso. She attended Aquinas High School and later worked at the La Crosse Telephone Company before serving for many years as a receptionist at Trane Company.

Betty and her beloved husband, Vince Riley, built a life filled with love and companionship, spending decades in their cherished home—the first house constructed on the 2500 block of Travis Street in the early 1950s. Across the street stood a driving range, which later became Central High School in 1967. The couple became enthusiastic supporters of the Red Raiders (renamed Riverhawks), with her husband rarely missing a game.  

Their bond endured for 65 wonderful years until Vince’s passing on January 8, 2013, leaving Betty with a lifetime of treasured memories.

Some of Betty’s fondest memories were the times spent with Vince's nephews, the Quillin brothers, who added moments of joy to her life.

After Vince’s passing, Betty was blessed with the companionship of her cousin, Teri Wachuta, and Teri’s husband, Richard Frost, whose presence enriched her later years with love and warmth. She also deeply appreciated the kindness and assistance of nearby neighbors, including Sue Herricks, Audra Martine, Norm Suhr, Hunter Viner, and Joe and Teresa Znidarsich. When Betty transitioned to Brookdale Assisted Living, she was comforted by visits from Vince’s late nephew, Dick Schmidt, and his late wife, LuAnn.  

A lifelong learner, Betty embraced opportunities for self-improvement, whether teaching herself to play the spinet organ or studying French. She was also an avid runner, spending many mornings on the track at Central High School.

Deeply devoted to her Catholic faith, Betty and Vince were longtime members and volunteers at St. Thomas More/Mary Mother of the Church. In her later years, she relied on the generosity of her neighbor, the late Norm Suhr, who lovingly drove her to Sunday services.

Betty was known for her striking red hair, always perfectly styled, and her flawless makeup, which reflected her timeless elegance. Though soft-spoken, she embraced life’s joys wholeheartedly, never turning down an invitation to celebrate, radiating warmth and charm wherever she went.

Her later years were enriched by the companionship of the Causeway Interfaith Volunteers, particularly Rita, Sara,  and their team, who brought friendship and happiness into her life—support that her family will forever be grateful for. She thrived at Brookdale Assisted Living, where she formed meaningful connections, and her family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff from Brookdale, Bethany Rehabilitation, and Mayo Health System for their unwavering care and support.

Betty is survived by her nieces and nephew: Dianne Blell of New York, Sherry Zimmerman of Chicago, Kathy Adams and Cindy Beeby of Valencia, CA, and Buddy Thygesen of Los Angeles. She was preceded in death by her beloved nieces Dana (Hauser) DePoma and Carol Francis (Thygesen) Taylor.

In her final two weeks, Betty made the conscious decision to rest. While discussing physical therapy for her hip, she paused and said, “Know what? I don’t want to do this. I’m tired. I just want to sleep.” From that moment on, she slowly drifted into deeper rest, cared for by the compassionate team at Mayo Clinic Hospice. Her last waking moments were filled with simple pleasures—smiling, laughing, savoring ice cream, taking a few sips of coffee—before peacefully slipping into eternal rest, just months shy of her 98th birthday.

Betty’s legacy of love, grace, and joy will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. She is laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Vince, in the mausoleum at the Catholic Cemetery of La Crosse.

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