Elizabeth "Betty" Ann (Croatt) Haseley

Betty Haseley, 88 years old, passed on to eternal life on Thanksgiving Day, as her mother had done 22 years earlier.  She was resting peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving husband and three daughters: Gail, Holly and Liz. She was fortunate to meet her great granddaughter, Blake on her first birthday. Diagnosed with cancer just six short weeks prior, she was guided into God’s arms with incredible love and care by an angel named Sue Miller, who arrived when we needed her most.  Betty was born in Belgium, WI on November 12, 1929 the daughter of Clarence and Gertrude (Mueller) Croatt.  On February 4, 1956, in Lake Church, WI, she was united in marriage to Gene Haseley.

Her father, Clarence, called Betty “his trailer” when she was a little girl because she followed him everywhere and her mother, Gertrude taught her to sew and together, they fueled her imagination. Her creativity and artistic abilities knew no bounds!  Whether sewing fur pillows; Halloween costumes for her three girls and her grandchildren, Mark, Ashley and Killian; or making hundreds of butterflies, sun catchers and painted rocks, Betty was always busy coming up with something new.  She was forever taking someone into her basement workshop to give you a treasure to take home with you. She was also the fix-it woman in the house and we learned early on that there was no job too big for little Betty to tackle. Small but mighty, and strong of will nothing seemed to stop her!

More importantly, there was a light that would shine so brightly within Betty whenever she was surrounded by people.  She had this way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room. Her warmth radiated around her and her curious nature made her want to know your story.  Before you knew it, you either had a second mom in your life or a new best friend.  She possessed a contagious smile and a sassy sense of humor that captured your heart. Her gift of joy, nurturing nature and strong faith in God are something we will always remember.

Betty had worked for several years at the Smart Shop in Lake Geneva.  She then was co-owner of Trader Nick’s in Lake Geneva.  She was a member of Saint Francis deSales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva.  She was a former member of the Lake Geneva Lioness Club.   She was volunteer with the Geneva Lakes Area Museum.

Betty is survived by: Gene, her husband of 61 years, 3 daughters; Gail Berman of Buffalo Grove, IL, Holly Haseley of Pewaukee, WI and Liz Haseley of Madison, WI, 3 grandchildren; Mark (Leanne) Berman, Ashley Berman and Killian Gould and a great-granddaughter Blake Berman.   She was preceded in death by a brother Dale Croatt.

Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Saturday December 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva.  Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Derrick Funeral Home in Lake Geneva.

In Lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials are requested in Betty’s name to:  Goodwill Industries, 1402 E. Geneva St., Delavan, WI  53115.

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