Leonard-Muller Funeral Home
Elizabeth "Betty" Jane (Schlichte) Vaske, 84, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on January 31, 1940, at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, the daughter of Clarence and Julia (Fangmann) Schlichte. Betty spent the first five years of her life near Bloomington, Wisconsin, when her family moved to their farm near Masonville. She first went to a one-room country school for two years and then completed her grade school at the Monti School. Betty graduated from Winthrop High School where she was involved in music, yearbook, and several other activities - if she could take part during the school day!!! One of her biggest honors was becoming a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation, Betty worked a year and a half for Iowa National Insurance in Cedar Rapids.
On January 23, 1960, Betty was united in marriage to Eugene "Gene" Vaske at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monti. They spent the first three years of their marriage in Ames, where she worked at the State Highway Commission. In 1963, they returned to Delaware County to begin farming where she and Gene worked side by side. They farmed near Lamont for six years and then purchased their farm near Masonville. During these years Betty was busy raising children, calves, and pigs. She volunteered as a 4-H leader, taught second grade religion class, was a parish officer and choir member. Betty was also a County Dairy Board officer and member of the Tri-County Senior Board. One of Betty and Gene's proudest moments was being chosen FFA Parents of the Year. Through the years Betty was always known to have lots of food and desserts for the many nieces and nephews who were always welcome and spent many hours on their farm.
In 1995, Betty and Gene moved to Manchester and became members of St. Mary Catholic Parish. During this time Betty began subbing at St. Paul School of Religion along with volunteering many hours in the classrooms at St. Mary grade school. She truly enjoyed helping the students and keeping in touch with the students and their activities. Betty also worked part-time at the Manchester Livestock Auction for 12 years. She was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and served as various officers. Betty attended many CEW's and was involved in various talks and leadership roles. Betty and Gene then attended a three-year Lay Formation Class which led them to another set of volunteer roles, including leading wake services which they felt was a real service to their faith community. Betty also served as a Eucharistic minister and with the homebound for many years. Betty and Gene also went on several mission trips with the youth of their parish and found these trips very worthwhile and were a great experience. Betty really enjoyed spending time with the students.
Many days and weekends found Betty and Gene attending more than one of their children's and grandchildren's school activities -whether it be sports, show choir, plays, music or whatever their family was involved in. They loved seeing their accomplishments.
The couple loved traveling, both in the states plus overseas, including Europe, the Holy Land, Rome, and Germany. Plus, Betty was able to see the Swiss Alps, which was high on her bucket list.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Gene Vaske of Manchester; their four children; Mary (John) Broghammer and Kevin (Laura) Vaske both of Manchester, Kristen (Glen) Heims of Swisher, and Tom (Jen) Vaske of Masonville; 13 grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren; and four step great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Leon (Deb) Schlichte of Manchester and David (RaeMarie) Schlichte of Waterloo; one sister, Shirley (Will) Miers of Cedar Rapids; sisters- and brother-in-law, Shirley Schlichte of Manchester, Mary Quint of Ryan, and Leon (Verna) Vaske of Manchester; and many nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Al and Marcella Vaske; siblings, Loras Schlichte, and Mary and Gary Schlichte, in infancy; nephew, Mark Schlichte; and brothers-and sisters-in-laws, Art (Loretta) Vaske, Jerry (Mary) Vaske, Bob Vaske, Wally (Ellen) Vaske, Laverne (Frances) Vaske, Irvin (Jeanette) Vaske, and Ves Quint.
Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m., on Friday, July 26, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa, with Father Gabriel Anderson officiating.
Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa, where will be a 2:00 p.m. Scripture Service. Friends may also call from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at the church on Friday.
Interment: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester, Iowa
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