Obituary of Betty Exner
It is with deep sadness; we announce the passing of ELIZABETH ROSE EXNER (nee Novak). After a long and full life our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away on July 20th, 2026, at the age of 94.
Mom, the 6th of 7 children, was born June 14th, 1932, to Frank and Catherine Novak in the Waldron District.
Mom and dad (Frank Exner) were married October 15th, 1952. They spent their married life on the farm in the Killaly District where they raised 4 children. Mom and dad also took care of numerous foster children. During this time, mom also worked at St. Paul’s Lutheran Home.
Mom had many interests she enjoyed throughout her life. She loved gardening -- on the farm she had a very large garden and then later, when they moved to Melville, she continued to maintain large gardens for as long as she was able. She also enjoyed quilting, baking, cake decorating, bowling, and ceramics. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, whether it was playing cards or a good game of aggravation mom enjoyed all of it. Mom was also a member of the Rosary Sodality.
When Mom moved into St. Paul’s Lutheran Home she enjoyed taking part in different crafts, games, church services, etc. Mom always enjoyed visits and phone calls from her children and grandchildren, she was always very appreciative of those calls and visits.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, Frank in 1986; her parents, Frank and Catherine Novak; sisters Mary Gelowitz and Hilda Streifel; brothers Wenzel, Frank and Jack Novak; son-in-law Gerald Sand; and great grandson Ezekiel Ilg.
Mom will be lovingly remembered by her children Constance Sand, Judith Norman, Jerome Exner and Laurie (Lloyd) Rokosh; and her grandchildren Amanda, Tanya & Candice Sand, Bobby (Elizabeth) Ilg, Julie (Harvey) Mitterhuber, Vanessa Ilg (Chris), Brendon (Quintana) Ilg, Samantha (Byron) Moffatt, Sydney (Jim) Fernuik; and her great grandchildren Isaiah & Sarahava Ilg, Ethen, Jordan & Ayden Mitterhuber, Lucas & Emma Moffatt, Faye Ilg; and sister Doris Flegal, as well as numerous relatives.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church in Melville.
CLICK HERE to view the livestream beginning at 10:45 Thursday.
The Interment Service will take place at St. Elizabeth's Cemetery in Killaly.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home, Melville.
