Betty Tow
FAIRMONT - Mass of Christian Burial for Betty Tow, 75, of Fairmont will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont.
Betty (Elizabeth Ann Schultz) Tow went home to be with the Lord on June 22, 2009. Betty was at the lakeshore home she loved when she departed from this earth with her loving husband at her side. Betty was the victim of the ravages of cancer undetected for far too long. When it was discovered it was a battle Betty could not win. It was her second bout with cancer and it was overwhelming for her. She was taken from us all at a time when she was most content with her life.
Betty was born on May 26, 1934, the daughter of Jesse and Margaret Schultz. At the age of two months as a result of the death of her mother from cancer Betty was raised by her special aunt and uncle Edward and Rose (Schultz) Maum. Betty grew up in Oakdale, Wis., and went to country school. In 1953, she graduated from Tomah High School. She moved to Madison, Wis., to begin working for Wisconsin Bell Telephone Company. While living in Madison, she met James Tow. They were married October 26, 1957, making their first home in Madison. Betty was then transferred to Mankato, Minn., with the telephone company, and later transferred to Albert Lea, Minn., where she was a Group Chief Operator. She worked for the telephone company for 18 years. In 1971, Jim and Betty moved to Fairmont to their home on Shoreacres Drive. Betty had jobs with Hillestead Drug Store, Johnson Drug and Photo Gazelle. In 1984, she began working at Shoemakers Jewelry in the Fairmont Mall. She joined Thompson and Haugen Jewelers in 1996 and was working there until her death. She loved the jewelry store and fine jewelry. She loved dogs, especially poodles and had 10 in her lifetime. Betty was a member of St. Ambrose Circle, a faithful member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband and best friend, James Russell Tow; sisters, Margaret Rezin, Marian (Lawrence) Sowle, Eileen (Delbert) Gruen, Donna (James) Fiedler; sisters-in-law, Geraldine Schultz, Diane Schultz and Lucille Tow; brothers-in-law, Donald Tow, Raymond Tow, Herbert Banton; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Rose Maum, Jesse and LaVonne Schultz; brothers, Arthur Schultz and Daniel Schultz; sister, Winnifred Schultz; brothers-in-law, Harold (Shorty) Tow and Vernon Tow; brother-in-law, Robert Rezin and sister-in-law, Norma Jane Banton.
The family has requested that memorials be sent in her name to the American Cancer Society, Nettifee Animal Shelter, or United Hands Hospice.