Betty J. Raha

Betty J. Raha, age 89, of Gays Mills, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026. She was born on March 8, 1937, in Dubuque, IA to the late Winfred and Doris (Lowe) Briggs. She grew up in Gays Mills and graduated from Gays Mills High School. One month after graduating from high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Walter Raha, on July 30, 1955. She and Wally recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. They eloped to Dubuque before moving to Chicago for Wally’s work. During their numerous moves due to Wally’s job, she worked as a bank teller and raised her family alongside Wally. Betty loved being a grandmother and found great joy in her grandchildren. She also was a talented quilter, an avid reader and enjoyed jig saw puzzles. Betty will be remembered as a loving, tender-hearted person. Blessed be our memories of Betty J. Raha.

Betty is survived by her husband, Wally Raha; her children, Cheryl (Stuart) Patrick; Cindy (Bob) Smith; granddaughters, Chloe (Nate Piatek) Smith, Madeline (Brett Chisholm) Smith; sister-in-law, Rosemary Raha; many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Winnie (Norman) Kultgen, Judy (Paul) Morovits, brother-in-law, Jerry Raha; and her father and mother-in-law, Walt and Barbara Raha.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty’s name are appreciated to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gays Mills.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gays Mills. Fr. Tom Huff will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Betty will be laid to rest at the Gays Mills Cemetery. Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at the Gays Mills Community Center. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com.

Betty’s family would like to thank the staff members of Soldiers Grove Health Services and St. Croix Hospice for the compassionate care they provided.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Betty's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Ave.

Gays Mills, WI 54631

608-735-2100