Elizabeth "Betty" A. Lieser

Elizabeth (Betty Ryan) Lieser — a devoted mother and obstetrics nurse — lived and loved for over 93 years. She passed away peacefully in her home on the Flambeau River on April 21, 2026.

Born in her childhood home on October 7, 1932, Betty grew up helping raise her younger siblings and working alongside her family on their farm outside of Beloit, Wisconsin. She proudly attended Barr School, a one-room schoolhouse in Avon Township, and Beloit High School where she graduated in 1950. She went on to earn her RN degree from Mercy Hospital, School of Nursing in 1954 and spent most of her career at Rusk County Memorial Hospital, where she served as head nurse of obstetrics and night supervisor. She took tremendous pride in all of "her babies." Her caring nature extended well beyond the hospital walls: she looked after the nuns in the community and volunteered at Connections. Her home and her heart were open to all.

She used to say, "I gave my children roots and wings. But I might have overdone the wings part" — her way of describing the grounded, fiercely independent spirit she instilled in each of them. She was beloved by her family and her community.

Betty is survived by her children, James (Karen) Lieser, Mary (Tim Reed) Lieser, and Anne (Art Thompson) Lieser; her grandchildren, Mariah and Connor Lieser; her brother, Joe (Kris) Ryan; and the dozens of babies she helped bring into the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecelia (Unger) and William Ryan, and her siblings Margaret, Tom, John, and Patty.

A viewing and funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 4, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The viewing begins at 10:00 AM, with Mass following at 11:00 AM with Fr. Joseph Kumar Mayakuntla and Deacon Craig Voldberg officiating. A luncheon for friends and family will follow at JS Supper Club.

A committal service for family only will take place on Tuesday, May 5th at Calvary Cemetery in Beloit, where Betty will take rest alongside her parents.

In lieu of flowers, Betty would have loved donations to one of the following:

Connections (Indianhead Community Action Agency), where she volunteered -- https://www.indianheadcaa.org/ways-to-donate/

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, where she was a member for over 50 years -- https://www.ruskcountycatholiccommunity.org/

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.