Betty Lou Sexton

Thursday, September 17, 2015 1:31 pm

Betty Lou Sexton, (Mrs. Parnell Sexton), 86, of Burr Oak, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Private family services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Matt Larson of Burr Oak Lutheran Church officiating. Organist was Rose Breitsprecher. Hymns were “Be Not Afraid,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “How Great Thou Art.” Casket bearers were Steve Sexton, Dave Mathieu, Sam Sexton, Sean Mathieu, Shane Sexton and Steven Sexton. Interment was at St. Agnes – Plymouth Rock Catholic Cemetery, in rural Burr Oak. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Betty Lou (Koliha) Sexton was born March 11, 1929, the daughter of John and Stella (Jarosh) Koliha in rural Lime Springs. She graduated from Harmony High School and worked in the Lime Springs area after graduation. She was united in marriage to Parnell Sexton Nov. 18, 1952, at St. Agnes – Plymouth Rock Catholic Church, west of Burr Oak. Together they farmed near Cresco and then moved to the present farm north of Burr Oak, 1961. Betty Lou enjoyed farming, gardening, making kolaches, tending to her chickens and selling eggs. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends. Betty Lou was a former member of St. Agnes – Plymouth Rock Catholic Church.

Betty is survived by her two daughters, Stella (Dave) Mathieu, Lakeville, Minn. and Sheila Sexton, Burr Oak; three sons: Steve (Ellie) Sexton, Burr Oak, Sam Sexton, Decorah and Scott Sexton, Burr Oak; six grandchildren: Sarah and Sean Mathieu, Shane, Stacia and Steven Sexton and Megan Hageman. Betty also is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, John and Stella (Jarosh) Koliha; her husband, Parnell Sexton, Oct. 6, 1998; one sister, Geraldine (Charles) Warner; two brothers, Richard (Betty Ann) Koliha and Robert (Wanda) Koliha.