Betty Jane Morris, age 94, of Hayward, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Water’s Edge Care Center in Hayward.

Betty was born July 19, 1930, in Hayward, WI, the daughter of Ole & May (Beckett) Swanson. She was united in marriage to Leonard “Bud” Morris on October 1, 1949. Betty had a kind, loving, generous spirit, if you ever stopped to see her you were invited in, had coffee, something to eat and you couldn’t leave without something in your hand. She also was an adventurer. Bud always said her song was “On the Road Again”, it was true. Before getting married she and her girlfriends would get on the train to go to dances in Ladysmith. Betty liked to travel and was fortunate to have a friend that used to like to take long drives to see the country. They traveled to California to see the Red Wood Forest, stopping at Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills along the way. They stayed in motels at night, but they cooked all their meals at their campsites. Other friends invited them to Branson and still more friends invited them to see the Arch in Missouri. They also flew to Las Vegas a couple of times.

She had many jobs in her lifetime, Hayward Laundry (it was on Main Street years ago), Betty made wreaths for a couple of years, she cleaned cabins and houses. One summer she worked part time bartending and cooking at a par 3 golf course for some friends, but her favorite job was cashier at Northern Lakes Co-op Hardware for 30 years. Everyone knew her and many would wait for her line to open. She may not have remembered everyone’s name, but she always remembered their account number. (They retired her at the age somewhere between 80 to 83).

After Bud passed away, she moved to town, she liked her little apartment, but the best part was being able to sit outside and watch everyone walking and driving by. She waved to everyone, and they would stop for a few minutes to talk, wave and honk as they drove by. She knew everyone and they knew her.

After moving into Water’s Edge Care Center, her table was by the glass door, so she waved and smiled at everyone, and they all waved back – it made her day. She liked to play bingo and going to her daughter’s houses to help bake and decorate Christmas cookies.

Bud would say that grass doesn’t grow under her feet. Betty was spunky (you knew where you stood with her) and she loved people and God.

She is survived by her daughters Sandra (Barry) Fliess, Barbara Laakson & Cindy Meyer (Tab); son Michael (Mitzi) Morris; grandchildren Jason, Christopher, Adam, Jenny, Sara, Scott, Jessie & Kristi, 25 great grandchildren & 15 great great grandchildren; brother Lyle (Patricia) Swanson; nieces & nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Bud; grandson Ben Briggs; sisters Norma Turnbull, Donna Schlieman & Margaret Hermsen; sister-in-law Dorothy Simmons; & son-in-law Robert Laakson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward. Rev. Ben Kidder will officiate. Burial will be in Spider Lake Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Regional Hospice, 15910W Company Lake Road, Suite 3, Hayward, WI 54843 or Hayward Wesleyan Church, PO box 507, Hayward, WI 54843.

Last Update: Apr 23, 2025 1:30 pm CDT