Betty M. Hance

Betty Marlene Hance, 89, of Buffalo, Minnesota, formerly of Wittenberg, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at Park View Care Center. Betty was born April 9, 1932, in Villa Grove, Illinois, the daughter of the late Arthur and Lena (Allen) Fleener. She married Thomas B. Hance on July 25, 1948, in Tuscola, Illinois. He preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 1979. Betty and Tom began their life together on a small farm in Galton, Illinois. Linda, Rick and Tom Jr. were born during these early years. The family of five later migrated northward, starting in Tiffany, where they built a house together with their own hands and lived for several full and memorable years. The next move was to Rosendale to be closer to Tom’s work building natural gas pipelines. Continuing north their next stop was rural Bowler, where they owned and operated ShadyView Ballroom — which was a popular local gathering place featuring wedding receptions, family reunions, outdoor movies, softball and baseball and even indoor roller skating. David and Mary were born during the ShadyView Ballroom years and completed the family. ShadyView Ballroom was destroyed by fire on New Year’s Day 1969. Betty and her family moved on to a small farm in rural Birnamwood and then to a larger property nearby which they resurrected into a working dairy farm. Not finished yet, they went on to live in Leopolis and then rural Wittenberg, pursuing evolving career interests. After Tom died unexpectedly at the age of 49, Betty went on to own and operate the Wittenberg Hotel, and in 1995, she moved to Minnesota to be near Mary’s growing family. She was a hands-on, fun-filled, loving and caring grandma. Through her lifetime, Betty filled many roles — including mom, farm wife, homemaker, Cub Scout den mother, waitress, bartender, school bus driver, business woman, store clerk and special education teacher’s aide. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandma and most of all a caring and cherished friend. She always stood up for and came to the rescue of the “underdog.” She will be fondly remembered by all who had the great privilege of sharing in her life. Betty is survived by her children: Rick (Diane) Hance, of Maple Park, Illinois, David (Renee Holley) Hance, of Birnamwood, and Mary (Bob) Sansevere, of Buffalo, Minnesota; son-in-law, Dawayne Barke, of Birnamwood; daughter-in-law, Donna Hance, of Wittenberg; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and multitude of friends. In addition to her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Barke; her son, Tom Hance Jr.; her parents; an infant brother, Arthur Fleener Jr.; her brother, Bradley; and her sisters Janet, Ruth, Virginia and Ann. Betty was cremated. A graveside gathering will be held at Forest Cemetery in Birnamwood at a later date. Her ashes will rest next to her beloved husband, Tom. The family would like to thank the staff of Park View Care Center and Guardian Angels Elim Hospice Care and Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the Enchanted Hollow Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by her daughter Mary, that specializes in the rescue, rehab and therapy of horses. The foundation also offers scholarships to children whose families cannot afford horse-related activities, as well as providing scholarships for children and adults with special needs. For more information, visit http://enchantedhollow.org/foundation. Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, Minnesota 55313.