Elizabeth "Betty" Damask

Elizabeth “Betty” J. Damask, 84, of Amherst Junction, died peacefully in her home, Sunday, August 2, 2026 with family at her bedside. Betty was a “rock” to anyone who needed an ear to listen, a pearl of wisdom to be shared, or a compassionate understanding of life’s most challenging moments or most exciting moments. Her strength to endure what life offered her came from her trust in the Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s mantle that she was wrapped in. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 11:00AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Polonia), 7375 Church Street, Custer. Reverend Mark Miller will officiate. The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be led by Daniel Flees in the church beginning at 8:30AM with visitation to follow at 9:00AM. The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Honor Guard will post until the time of the Mass. Pallbearers are Dennis & Douglas Damask, Roy Munroe, Ashley Johnson, Thomas (TJ) Varjabedian, Mitchell & Heidi Kolodziej and Lyle Eiden. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery following Mass.

Betty was born on June 23, 1942 to Ben and Laura (Cera) Kedrowski in the town of Fancher, the second child of their union. She was blessed to also be welcomed by one sister and later shared in the family’s joy of welcoming a brother. She attended St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic School - Fancher (1st - 8th grade) and graduated from Amherst High School in 1959.

Betty met Edwin Damask at a dance in 1957 and they married on September 24, 1960 at St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel, Fancher – celebrating 65 ½ years of marriage before Edwin’s death on March 28, 2026. Together they resided in Wisconsin Rapids before they returned to Edwin’s farm of his birth in the Town of New Hope in 1961 where she continued to live until her death.

Betty dedicated her entire self to life with a farmer – joining in picking rock, unloading wagons of hay/straw, climbing the silo to check how much more room there was for the haylage, helping milk cows, feeding the calves upon birth and until it was time to move them to the “other farm” to continue to grow until they returned to the home farm, managing the finances, joining Edwin on bended knee in thanksgiving for a planting or harvest completed before the rain came, a bountiful harvest, equitable milk prices (as compared to the price in the store), or in tough times when they counted on “God” to carry them through.

Edwin and Betty welcomed four children into their lives with whom she shared her unconditional and unlimited love, and interest in their childhood activities as well as into their adulthood. Betty’s ability to manage the care of Edwin and her children, including three square meals/day, fresh baked bread and cookies (rainy days were always appreciated) in the wood cook stove/oven, canning, freezing, keep an immaculate house with littles underfoot and even when her vision became increasing impaired (not a speck of dust or dirt escaped), grocery shopping, school shopping (especially shoes), Monday laundry (always hung on the line to dry year-round), stoking the wood furnace 24/7, mowing grass (all-time favorite) was admirable. Never did a guest arrive that would go home hungry (grandkids/great grandkids knew where the “sweet treats” were kept and it didn’t take too much asking to have one in hand in a short order). Betty was a member of Sacred Heart’s Parish Council of Catholic Women, volunteered at the Parish Picnic bingo and Ponczka Party until her vison prohibited her from continuing to do what she loved and looked forward to annually. In addition to being a full-time homemaker, Betty was employed by Sentry Insurance following graduation, and upon retiring from milking cows, also worked at ShopKo followed by the Portage County Library – Rosholt site which was by far her greatest love as it gave her the opportunity to be in touch with many friends of all ages.

Betty’s contagious smile greeted every person she met – each knew she had a very special place in her heart for them. God blessed her with opportunities to enjoy and celebrate her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that she “never dreamed” she would live long enough to see – birthdays (always a carefully selected card & an envelope decorated with the perfect-to-fit-the-occasion stickers), Nascar races, soft serve ice cream, McDonald’s chicken sandwich and fries, a Pizza Ranch outing, sliced mozzarella cheese, fireworks, country music concert/festival, athletics, scanning the sky for an ultralight or Pitts flyover, taking a late night into the early morning phone call as well as outings with friends/family including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Las Vegas (casino), North and South Carolina (NASCAR race), Tennessee, and Florida (touch a dolphin). Life was lived “simple” without need for “more” filled with the beauty of hummingbirds, flowers, babies, grand/great-grandchildren, and a bottle of ice-water in hand - God-centered through Morning Prayers and Night Prayers. Life was a gift that was appreciated.

Betty is survived by four children, daughters, Dorothy (Daniel Flees), Denise Munroe, and sons, Dennis and Douglas; seven grandchildren, Kathryn (David Gadke), Cynthia (Thomas “TJ” Varjabedian), Heidi (Mitchell Kolodziej), Roy Munroe (Emily), Ashley (DJ Johnson), Chandra and Alexis Munroe; 17 great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Jeremiah, Oliver, Elliot, Theodore, Alexander and Larayna Gadke; Bryson, Haezel, Nolan, Elijah, Isaiah, and Baby Varjabedian; John and Stella Kolodziej; Opal and Owen Johnson; and five step-great grandchildren, Corbin, Domonic, Braden, Alton, and Evelynn Johnson. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Kedrowski (Colleen).

Betty was predeceased by her husband, Edwin; parents, Ben and Laura Kedrowksi; sister, Elaine (Kedrowski) Firkus and brother-in-law Leonard Firkus, great-grandchildren, Nicolas Gabriel Gadke and Catherine Gerard Varjabedian.

Betty’s family wishes to extend their gratitude to the family/friends who visited her frequently in her home, the Marshfield Medical Center Hospital – Weston 4th floor staff, St. Croix Hospice nurses, aide, chaplain, and social worker and Fr. Mark Miller and Fr. Joseph O’Hara. The support, encouragement, love, hope, and joy you brought into Betty’s life was nothing short of exemplar.

In honor of Betty – take a step back in time – listen to a John Denver, Alan Jackson, or Kenny Rogers song or a book on tape; stay grounded, centered, and nourished – say a Rosary, attend Mass and stay a while after; slow down, be a little more patient, be the face/hands/feet of Christ, and take in the world around you; treasure each and every moment – “you have a lot of ‘living’ ahead of you”, worry not about tomorrow – you have only today to give your very best – it will always be “enough”.

"Mom, your prayers were said tonight/this morning/this afternoon. Jesus was waiting for you to lean into his arms...forever. The angels and all those who have gone before you were waiting to walk alongside you. You were able to attend Mass today! Rest in the peace of God. Pray for us. Guide us during our remaining days with your gentle touch and unending love. We love you forever and ever. Amen”

In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted and can be designated towards a memorial for Betty to be determined in the future.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Betty will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Polonia), 7375 Church Street, Custer. Reverend Mark Miller will officiate.

The rosary will be prayed in the church at 8:30 AM with visitation to follow beginning at 9:00 AM and the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Honor Guard posting until the time of the Mass. Burial will follow the Mass in the parish cemetery. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Damask Family.

We invite and encourage those wishing to order flowers for the Damask Family to do so directly on the Pisarski Funeral Home website which will take you to a local florist. This will ensure timely delivery.