Passed away on Apr 30, 2010

Rita J. Bettenhausen, age 77, of rural Black River Falls (Town of Manchester) and formerly of Chicago, IL, died Friday, April 30, 2010 in Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls. Rita Joan Hargarten was born in Chicago, IL on December 16, 1932 to Harold Michael Hargarten and Ruth Frances (Wiard) Hargarten. She was raised in Chicago where she graduated from high school and later attended college. She married Henri Louis Bettenhausen on May 28, 1955 in Chicago. The couple lived in McKinley Park, IL, until moving to Jackson County in 1982. Rita was employed at St. Paul Federal Bank in Chicago as a bank teller. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Black River Falls, the HCE, McKinley Park Tennis Club, and the Holy Order of St. Pius. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, canning and preserving vegetables from Henri’s garden, Tri-Chem painting, baking, cooking, and reading. Survivors include her husband, Henri of Black River Falls; a son, Michael J. Bettenhausen and wife, Susan M. Bettenhausen of Chicago; a grandson, Michael L. Bettenhausen; a sister, Carol Ann Dydo of Rochelle, IL; a brother, James (Nancy) Hargarten of Chicago; a sister-in-law, Ann Maroney of Chicago; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Michael Hargarten and Ruth Frances Hargarten; 3 brothers, Harold F. Hargarten, Donald J. Hargarten, and Richard L. Hargarten; a brother-in-law, Stanley Dydo; and sisters-in-law, Helen Hargarten and Elizabeth Hargarten A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 407 Main St., Black River Falls. Rev. Fr. John Steiner will officiate. Friends and family are invited for visitation from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. on Tuesday at the church The family prefers memorials to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com