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.