Betty Jane (Smith) Lantz (2003)

GENTRY, LANTZ, SEVERSON, SMITH, TALLARD

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:24

The Wisconsin State Journal
Madison, Wisconsin
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Page 6, Column 5

Lantz, Betty Jane

MADISON - Betty Jane Lantz, age 82, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2003. She was born on March 5, 1921, in. Earlham, Iowa (Madison County), the daughter of David F. and Mabel Claire (Gentry) Smith. She married Donald B. Lantz on Aug. 9, 1941.

She was a member of Bashford United Methodist Church. She was an honors graduate of Earlham High School and graduated from the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, with honors.

Betty began her business career with Retail Credit in Des Moines. She then worked as one of the first two women in the country hired as booking agents for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Studios. She left MGM to join her husband in Louisiana where he was stationed with the Army. She worked for the Louisiana Coop as secretary to the president. She later worked for National Guardian Life, retiring after serving as vice president and corporate secretary for more than 30 years, followed by 10 years on the board of directors.

During her business career, Betty served on the board of directors for the American Red Cross for many years and was also a loaned executive for the United Way of Dane County. She was a longtime member of Maple Bluff Country Club. She was an avid golfer and bridge player. Her favorite pastime always was reading and she stressed its importance to her entire family, including her great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Donald B; daughter, Pamela Jane (Richard) Severson, Madison; a son, David R. Lantz, Madison; three grandsons, John and Joseph Severson and Michael Tallard; eight greatgrandchildren; her sister, Beverly Joanne; and two nephews of Mesa, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her beloved grandfather, James Wesley Gentry.

A funeral service will be held at Bashford United Methodist Church, 329 North St., on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Roger Becker officiating. Entombment will be held at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call at the Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from noon until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to Bashford United Methodist Church, 329 North St., Madison, WI 53704. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave.

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