Betty Jensen Licitar Purves was born on July 23, 1929, in Big Flats township, Adams County, Wisconsin to Stella and William Jensen.

The family moved to New Haven Township, southern Adams County, when she was 8 years old.  She attended Ward School and continued to Wisconsin Dells High School.  On September 28, 1946, Betty married Steve Licitar, the boy living just across the road.  Betty was a stay at home wife and mother while Steve worked in excavating near Milwaukee.  In a tragic bulldozer accident near Slinger, Wisconsin, Steve was killed on July 6, 1963. He left behind Betty with 5 children still at home, the youngest being only 2 months old.  With the help of Betty’s folks and other family members, Betty stayed on the farm.  She met Alvin Purves from the Wyocena/Rio area through mutual friends Bob and Mary Hopp. 

On June 4, 1966, Betty married Alvin and they moved to his farm in Wyocena, along with the three youngest children.  Betty and Alvin enjoyed going out to eat, going dancing, and in their later years, just going for drives every evening to “look for deer” and see how the other local farmer’s crops were doing.  Alvin and Betty celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with friends and family on June 6, 2006.  Alvin passed away in 2010 but Betty stayed on the farm. One of Betty’s favorite pastimes was doing puzzles with friends and family.  She had more puzzles than a puzzle store. In July 2019, Betty celebrated her 90th birthday with a large celebration at the farm for family and friends. This was certainly a highlight for Betty. Betty moved to Heritage House Assisted Living in Portage in July 2021. In December 2023, Betty developed serious health issues, ending up in the hospital, and then ultimately at Columbus Health and Rehab where she could get the specialized care she needed. Betty entered Hospice Care in early January 2024 and passed away on April 27 following a stroke a few days earlier.  

Betty is survived by her 5 children, Louise (Lyle) Elske of Columbus, Steven (Terry) Licitar of Hubertus, Donna Jordan of Belleville, Kathy Earl of Minneapolis, and Carol Martin (Rick McGlynn) of Pardeeville; 10 grandchildren Lynette, Lon, Lyle Jr., Becky, Sheri, Todd, Gabrielle, Electra, Paige and Julie; 15 great grandchildren; brother Marvin in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and her brother Norman’s daughter and two sons and their families; and her close personal friends, Linda Hoel, Helen Ring, Mary Hopp, Lucille Nowak, and Lori Lang.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Grasse Funeral Home in Rio Monday, May 13, 2024 at 11AM. Visitation with family and friends will be held from 10 AM prior to the service. A lunch will be provided following the service.  A private family burial will be at Spring Grove Cemetery in Wisconsin Dells alongside her husband Steve.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Columbus Health and Rehab and the Hospice Services team for their excellent care and compassion during mom’s time there. Mom, you endured many unforeseen tragic events during your lifetime, but you continued on, never giving up.  You told us many times when people asked what hobbies you had, you always told them your children were your hobbies.  You only had time for them.  And we all know this to be the honest truth to this day.  Mom, we are going to miss you each and every day.  You were the rock of our family.  Love you so much. Condolences may be made to the family.