Betty Jane Salli

MEQUON, Wis. - Betty Jane Salli died peacefully Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at the age of 89 at Columbia St. Mary's Hospice in Mequon. She was born Nov. 28, 1932, in Saxon, daughter of the late John and Hilma Hill Tapanilla.

On Dec. 6, 1952, she married Tarmo "Tom" Salli in Ironwood, Michigan. Together they raised seven children, have 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She worked various factory assembly jobs over the years.

She was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Saukville.

Betty loved painting with acrylics the likeness of the flowers she grew in her many gardens. Together with her husband they traveled across country to see their children in California, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Minnesota and North Carolina, camping on many trips to the Boundary Waters and balloon rallies, along with occasional gambling at Oneida in Green Bay. Her passions were taking care of her large family, crossword puzzles, reading romance novels and birdwatching.

Survivors include six children, Terry (Sheila) Salli of San Antonio, Texas, Suzie (Walter) Rabus of Port Washington, Brenda (Harry) Bernstein of Appleton, Karen Salli of Saukville, Julie (Joseph) Post of Indian Trail, North Carolina, and Annette (John) Foat of Fredonia; 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two sisters, Bertha Bojaski of Baxter, Minnesota, and Jeannie Thomas of Ironwood.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tarmo; daughter, Linda; two sisters and one brother.

A private family memorial will be held in the summer when all the family can gather. Final resting place will be at Union Cemetery in Saukville.