Betty A. Voelz, 97, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Betty was born August 10, 1925, in the Town of Scott, Lincoln County, daughter of the late Albert and Martha (Hinz) Sense. On September 6, 1925, Betty was baptized at her home. Her father passed away when she was 6 years old and her mother passed away when she was 12 years old, she was then taken care of by her 10 older siblings. Betty married Arthur ‘Art’ Voelz on May 31, 1947, at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill. He preceded her in death on October 8, 2013. Betty and Art owned and operated a dairy farm in the Town of Scott for 40 years and helped Art with custom farming work. Together, Betty and Art delivered meals on wheels, the Wausau Daily Herald, the Foto News, and the Buyer’s Guide. Betty also delivered the Senior Center newsletter. Betty worked at the Merrill Candy company and Weinbrenner Shoe Company. Betty also worked as a substitute food server at Merrill schools. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, that is where she was confirmed (April 2, 1939) and married (May 31, 1947). Betty was a member of the Ladies Aid. Betty volunteered her time and talents for many groups at many places, including at school in the library, the kindergarten room, and the after-school program; at the senior center where she took part in the Senior Olympics; was a 4-H Club leader, she was a sewing leader for the Smiling Scotties 4-H Club, taught crafts for 4-H Discovery Day, helped at the Lincoln County Fair, and helped with the after school program. Betty was a member of the Scott Hustlers Homemakers Club for over 60 years, Sewing Club for 70 years, Card Club, and she was a Red Hatter. Betty loved playing cards, dancing, sewing, and crafts. She also enjoyed cooking, canning, and baking, especially for her family and her grandchildren. Betty loved to dance with her husband and attended many Polk Fests and Polka Services.
Betty is survived by her children, Tom Voelz of Milwaukee, Tim Voelz of Merrill, Tod Voelz of California, and Tia Hein of Shawano; grandchildren, Jasmin Voelz, Craig Voelz, Travis Janko, Hannah Hein, and Gunnar Hein; and over 200 nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur ‘Art’ Voelz; parents, Albert and Martha Sense; sisters, Erna Schneider, Della Hinz, Rose Smith, Martha Kufahl, Ruth Kleinschmidt, Viola Neumann, and Esther Sense; and brothers, Edward Sense, Harry Sense, Albert Sense, and Walter Sense.
The funeral service for Betty will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 17, 2022, at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill. Lay Minister Robert Schneider will officiate. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M. on Monday at the church. Burial will follow at Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery-North in the Town of Scott, Lincoln County. A very special thanks to Judy Wery and Nancy Swanson for all the help with Betty the last few years. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty’s name may be made to St. John Lutheran School’s library. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com