Zajicek, Betty Thelma Larson

Betty Thelma Larson Zajicek, age 90, of Dodgeville passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at Uplands Hills Nursing & Rehab Center.

Betty was born on the Larson family farm near Boscobel, WI on April 15, 1935 to A. Kenneth and Ella Larson. She graduated in 1952 from Blue River High School. She married Harley Zajicek on February 6, 1954. In 1958, the couple moved to Highland, WI. While in Highland, Betty worked in the cheese factory and was a cook at Pine Lawn Group home while also raising their family. In 1992, they moved to the Lone Rock area. Betty cooked at the Spring Green Drive-In and then started working in the environmental services department at the UW Hospital in Madison. Later, she started as a camp cook at Bethel Horizons outside of Dodgeville. She worked as a camp cook for many years and really enjoyed all the kids she met (She was often heard saying, “Oh you kids!”.). Bethel Horizons even had a t-shirt made with all of Betty’s favorite sayings! Many “city kids” were introduced to Betty’s treats, “chicken with bones”, and she even shared her Lefse baking knowledge to people at Bethel Horizons (and family - if you were lucky). Betty moved to an apartment in Dodgeville in 2004. Betty loved to cook and feed people! If you left hungry, then it was your own fault! She really enjoyed sharing the Norwegian foods that she learned to make from her mother. Harley and Betty spent a lot of time at craft sales selling Harley’s woodworking, fishing, playing cards, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Highland.

Betty is survived by her four children: Karen (friend Dave Miller) Dieter of Blue River, WI; Carmen (Mark) Zajicek-Anderson of DeForest, WI; Connie (Dave) York of Mount Horeb, WI and Kevin (Jill) Zajicek of Dodgeville, WI. She is further survived by her grandsons, and their families; Jonathan (Breighton Larson) Rupp and daughter, Eleanor of Cedar Rapids, IA; Christopher (Samantha Ewig) Rupp of Wind Point, WI; Karter Zajicek of Dodgeville, WI; Kole (Olivia) Zajicek of Fridley, MN; and a step-grandson, Jake (Sabrina) York and family, Miette (Arden), Gaius, Lucia, and Elowen of Monroe, WI. She is also survived by her in-laws, Darlene Larson, Creola Peaslee, Shirley Kurowski, and Mason (Carol) Zajicek, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Harley, on May 8, 2004, her parents, in-laws - Edward and Edith Zajicek, two brothers - Herb and Arlis, an infant sister - Alice, a sister-in-law - Nancy, and a son-in-law - Richard Dieter.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville. Burial will be held in Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 and from 9:00 a.m. until time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers

 Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com