Elizabeth A. "Betty" Leese, 90, of Minocqua, and a native of
Ironwood, died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Golden Living Center-Golden Age, in
Tomahawk.      The former Elizabeth A. Liberato was born Nov.
5, 1920, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Dominic and Antoinette (DeMario)
Liberato, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1938. She was
employed as a telephone operator in Milwaukee, then served stateside in the U.S.
Army in California during World War II.      Following her honorable discharge as a
corporal, Betty returned to Milwaukee where she was employed as a lab technician
at the Veterans Administration Hospital for many years, retiring and moving to
Minocqua in the 1980's.      She was a member of Minocqua American Legion
Post 89, and enjoyed crossword puzzles and her home.      On Oct 1, 1945, she married Roman Leese in
Milwaukee. He preceded her in death in Feb. 2010.      Surviving are numerous nieces and nephews, to
include nieces, Kathy (Jim) Pezzi, Tomahawk, and Karen (Jim) Driscoll, Okemos,
Mich.; and  special friend and guardian, Laura
Then, Minocqua.      Besides her parents and husband, she was
preceded in death by five brothers, Louis, Nick, Michael, Dominic Jr. and Angelo
Liberato; and nine sisters, Florence Rizzi, Adeline Schulz, Julia Kiomento, and
Agnes, Claudine, Barbara, Mary, Johanna and Reselea "Celia"
Liberato.      Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct.
12, at 3 p.m., preceded by visitation at 2:30 p.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick
Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, with the Rev. Darryl Pepin
officiating.      Rite of Committal will take place at the
funeral home, where a flag presentation ceremony will be accorded by
representatives of  the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor
Guard.      Private interment will be in Riverside
Cemetery, Ironwood.      Online condolences may be given at
mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick Funeral
Home, Inc., Ironwood.