Barneveld / Mt. Horeb / Mineral Point – Betty Lou (Ash) Cox, age 89 passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022. Betty's goal was to celebrate 70 years of marriage with her husband, Fantus. Her dream came true as she spent many months helping to make plans for their celebration at the Barneveld Legion Hall on September 11, 2022 – it was such a blessing for both Fantus and Betty.

Betty was born on April 12, 1933 and graduated from Barneveld High School in 1952 where she was a cheerleader and prom queen. After raising her five children, she became a housekeeper for Gonstead's Chiropractic Clinic and Little Norway. She had a great knowledge of the Bible, and read it cover-to-cover. She also kept a book of hymns and wrote a reflection on each. The Ash family legacy and Norwegian heritage was important to her.

She prided herself as being a great dancer, dog lover and a great bookkeeper for Cox's Welding. Upon retirement, Betty and her husband sold their Mt. Horeb home and traveled south for ten years where she became an avid walker. During their summer return visits to Barneveld, she would sometimes walk from Barneveld to Mt. Horeb. She also did several craft projects making angels, candles, and needlepoints. After traveling, Betty and Fantus loved the home they built in the town of Jonesdale, bought a Model A car, drove it in parades and was excited to exhibit their winning 2021 trophy for the best Barneveld parade float.

She was preceded in death by her son, Larry in 2002, infant son Timothy; her parents, Lloyd and Marlyn Ash of Barneveld and her sister, Shirley Duesler of Barneveld/Middleton along with two sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law.

Betty is survived by her husband, Fantus; daughter, Cindy (Dick) Reeson of Barneveld; son, Randy (Lois) Cox of Dodgeville; daughters, Sandy (Rod) Mueller and Melissa (David) Lease of Barneveld along with their eleven granddaughters and 17 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Lorraine Pells of Madison, brother-in-law, Arleigh Cox of Kentucky and sisters-in-law, Dannie Cox of Kentucky and Berta Cox of Illinois. She also has several nieces and nephews, a precious dog named Mindy, and a great friend and neighbor Jenny.

Her children and husband did everything possible to keep Betty comfortably living at home. Betty will be known for wanting to share a cup of coffee with friends, her great memory with details, and wanting to share stories.

Our family would like to thank Upland Hills Hospice Care for their compassion care and dedicated service.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at BARNEVELD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 505 Swiss Lane, Barneveld. Pastor Rhia Strohm will officiate. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of service on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the church.