Betty Ahles

Betty Lou Ahles, age 86, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on March 6, 2026 at her home.

Born on March 7, 1939 in Pittsville, Wisconsin to Norman and Cecilia (Hokamp) Pankratz Sr., Betty built a long and dedicated career. She began as a secretary for Wisconsin Motor Corporation in West Allis and Felker Motors Inc. in Marshfield before spending 32 years at Consolidated Papers Inc. in the storeroom, retiring in 2000 as Storeroom Supervisor. She also taught data processing classes at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids for several years.

Betty found joy in cooking, gardening, and traveling. She is survived by her children, Scott (Kim) Ahles of Wisconsin Rapids, Lori (Larry Perry) Adams of Nekoosa, and Roxane (Todd) David of Nekoosa; eight grandchildren, Benjamin Chipman, Leah Chipman, Rosanna Simpson, Cole Adams, Andrew (Ashlynne) Ahles, Cathleen Ahles, Nichole David, and Ashley (Ben VanKirk) David; eight great-grandchildren, Kali (Tanner), Avery (Emma), Brek, Alec, Cecilia, Jethro, Kingsly, and Violet; and her sisters, Cecilia Abel of Nekoosa, JoAnn Dieringer of Marshfield, Kathy (Edward) Pankratz-Kolb of Marshfield, and Linda Pankratz of Auburndale. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Randy Ahles, her brothers Robert Pankratz, Norman Pankratz Jr., and Frank Pankratz, her sister Ella Mae Gandt, her brothers-in-law John Abel and Jim Dieringer, and her niece Judy Ludack.