Betty Jane Sawyer, 103, passed away on Jan. 31, 2025, in De Pere, Wisconsin. She was born Sept. 2, 1921, to her parents Hermann and Ida (Wisco) Reinke of Winneconne, Wisconsin.

She was married to Gordon Wallace Sawyer of Neenah, Wisconsin. They first met at a United Service Organizations (USO) dance in Winneconne, that Betty was attending under the watchful eye of her mother. After many trips back and forth between Neenah and Winneconne in his model A, Gordon won Betty's heart. They were later married at the First Presbyterian Church of Neenah on June 12, 1942.

Betty was a long-time resident of Neenah where she raised her two children. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Neenah, Eastern Star, Job's Daughters and the Neenah Emergency Society. She also gave herself to the many activities in which her children were involved.

Upon retirement, Betty and Gordon moved to Berlin, Wisconsin, and enjoyed the pleasures of living on a farmette on the shores of the Fox River. They enjoyed gardening, playing cards and hosting gatherings with family and close friends.

After Gordon's passing in 2003, Betty relocated to De Pere, to be closer to family. She worked part-time at the Piggly Wiggly well into her nineties, where she was well known as the "demo lady."

Betty is survived by her son Thomas (Judi) Sawyer of De Pere, Wisconsin; her daughter, Deborah Whitmore of Fox Point, Wisconsin; her grandson's Alan (Liz) Sawyer of Kewaunee, Wisconsin, Kyle (Colby) Sawyer of De Pere, Wisconsin, and Stuart Whitmore of Chandler, Arizona; and granddaughter Katharine (Mark Russo) Whitmore of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is also survived by four great-grandsons and various nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Alan Day Whitmore, and her eight siblings Roland Reinke, Russell Reinke, Rosetta Reinke, Inez (Reinke) Frank, Marceil (Reinke) Troudt, Frederick (Fritz) Reinke, Lloyd (Ted) Reinke, and Dolores Reinke Haidlinger.

A celebration of life will be held at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 North 10th Street, De Pere, Wisconsin, 54115, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, from 4 – 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Shriners Children's or the Neenah-Menasha Emergency Society.