Elizabeth "Betty" Golden Stafford, 85, formerly of 3422 Stein Blvd, died on October 23, 2001 at The Clairemont. She was born September 27, 1916 in Chile, Wisconsin to Rudolph and Elizabeth (Dragger) Epp. \r\nBetty married Police Officer Thomas Golden on November 18, 1936 in Eau Claire. Tom retired from the Eau Claire Police Department in 1945. He died on September 3, 1971. She married Frederick Stafford on September 15, 1984; he died September 2, 2001.\r\nBetty was a charter member of Immaculate Conception Parish, serving two terms as President of the Immaculata Ladies' Society. She was in charge of the School Hot Lunch Program at Immaculate Conception for many years and was involved in almost everything that happened at Immaculate Conception for over 25 years.\r\nBetty was a life member of the VFW Post #7232 Ladies Auxiliary, a member of VFW Post #305, the American Legion Post #53, and a former member of Eau Claire Women of the Moose #557. She called Bingo every week at The Clairemont Nursing Home for many years.\r\nBetty loved to play cards. She played poker every week for many years with her friends and whenever she had a chance, with her son and grandchildren. She took up Bridge later and was a very accomplished Bridge Player.\r\nLater in life Betty decided to go into business. She owned and operated Bette's Maternity Fashions in Downtown Eau Claire. She sold the business in 1970 and worked for Seifert's Womens Fashions for several years.\r\nSurvivors include her son, Thomas Golden, and a daughter, Mary Ellen Des Forge, both of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Mark (Vicki), Connie, John, and their mother Sonja Golden, Michael and Ryan Golden, and their mother Susan Golden. Other grandchildren include Mary Des Forge, Frederick (Patricia) Des Forge, Joanne (Thomas) Verbracken, Sharon (Graham) Lant; two great-grandchildren; two step-daughters, Patricia Stafford of St. Louis Park, MN and Cathleen (Wayne) Hirsch of Eagan, MN; three step-grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret Rix of New Berlin, Helen Verdon of Port Charlotte, FL, Dorothy Williams of Eau Claire; a brother, Francis "Fritz" (Janice) Epp of Eau Claire; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Susan Barquist, Carolyn Meider, and Charlie Schretenthaler, the young man who visited her on special holidays with words of cheer. Betty was preceded in death by her husbands, Thomas Golden and Frederick Stafford; three brothers, Herman, Rudolph Jr., and Arthur Epp; two sisters, Lucy Epp and Julia Rhode; and two very special friends, Fr. Mike Meinen and Mack Brunner. \r\nMass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 27, 2001 at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Eugene Klink officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. A rosary service will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Service Information