Betty Rose LaCosse of Dunedin, FL formerly of Clearwater, FL and Kankakee, IL passed away at 97 on March 18, 2025 following a short illness. Betty was born August 17, 1927 in Kankakee to Orville E. And Thelma J. (Hertz) Oesterle. She attended Kankakee schools graduating from Kankakee H.S. In 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, Wayne LaCosse, Oct. 5, 1947 upon his return from service during WWII. They were inseparable.

Betty had begun working full time at the Sears Roebuck & Co. In downtown Kankakee and after the new Sears store was completed in Meadowview Shopping Ctr. She worked in the unit control credit office for a total of 40 yrs. Betty and Wayne retired to Clearwater Florida in 1981, realizing their dream of living in a warm weather climate.

They provided college educations for their two children of whom they were very proud: Mitch and Laurie. Betty and Wayne. We're members oof St. Mark's United Methodist Church and were active in community organizations including Womens' Circle, Postal Workers Credit Union, Kankakee Masonic Temple, Eastern Star, and Shriners' org. They were also enthusiastic Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and Black Hawks fans. They also loved to play cards with family and friends.

Betty learned to golf at age 50, a hobby she enjoyed for the next 45 yrs., making a hole-in-one at age 90! For years while living in their resident owned senior living park in Clearwater, Betty and Wayne joined a group of very active seniors who donated their time and talents to rehabbing motor coaches in their park that had been donated by previous residents. These coaches were sold to new owners benefiting the park's upkeep with its beautiful clubhouses, pool, tennis and shuffleboard courts. They loved living in Florida but loved their extended families and friends most of all, making dozens of trips back to Kankakee to spend holiday and special event times with them.

Betty's family included one sister Joan and one brother O. Marvin Oesterle. Preceding her in death were her parents, Thelma and Orville; sister and brother-in-law, Joan (Harlan 'Birdie") St.John; and brother and sister-in-law Marv (Jo) Oesterle and one niece, Vicki (St.John) Kraft. Also preceding her were two sisters-in-law and their husbands; Phylis (Everett) Trumble; Bernadette (Mike) Gogots. Surviving family members are son Mitch (Judy) LaCosse, Dunedin, FL; and daughter Laura (Doug)Golowski, Kankakee, IL and two nieces and three nephews scattered around the U.S. and many great nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life for Betty LaCosse will be held at the Volante Assisted Living Community in Dunedin. Burial for Betty and Wayne will be at Memorial Gardens near the LaCosse ancestorial plot. Contributions to Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Betty lived a long and love-filled life. Favorite sayings were: "Old age is not for sissies" and "Do the best you can with what you've got." She was a giving and steadfast daughter, wife, mother, and friend.