Betty R. Melaas

STOUGHTON - Betty Roselyn Vaage Melaas, age 97, passed away at home surrounded by family. Betty was born at home on a small farm in Rockdale, Wis. Her parents, Eva and Olaf Vaage, were of Norwegian heritage and often spoke Norwegian at home. Betty was the middle child between older brother, Vernon, and younger brother, Leon. Betty and her brothers remained best friends throughout their lives and loved travelling together.

Betty met the love of her life, Irving, at her cousin’s wedding in 1949. Betty was a bridesmaid and Irving was a groomsman. Sparks flew immediately and they were married in 1950. Last year, on July 2, 2025, Betty and Irving celebrated 75 years of marriage. Irving passed away two months later. Those 75 years were filled with not only raising a family and serving a community but with worldwide adventures. Betty was an active member of Central Lutheran Church in Stoughton and later, Covenant Lutheran Church. She was a mother who could be counted upon to help with school activities and projects and loved hosting family gatherings. Every year, friends and family looked forward to the Syttende Mai Canoe Race party held at their home on the Yahara River.  

Perhaps it was Betty and Irving’s Viking ancestry DNA that compelled them to explore the world. It began as escapes from the cold Wisconsin winters.  Their daughters were removed from school for two weeks at a time to drive to the warmer climates of south Florida, Texas, Arizona and Mexico. Next, they explored their Norwegian heritage and traveled to Slinde, Norway. This is where Irving’s great-great-grandparents sold their farm so that they could immigrate to America in 1844. The next calling was to the Alboran Sea and Torremolinos Spain. This location offered warm sunny weather in the winter months. They were able to rent a studio apartment in a resort for two months at a time. The Torremolinos trips continued for nine years. During that time several good friends were made while enjoying local excursions and Happy Hours. Every winter this group of friends from the U.S. and England would return to Torremolinos and greet each other as though they were walking through the doors of “Cheers.”

In later years, Betty and Irving began to explore the world by traveling on cruise ships. They enjoyed over 40 cruises to all seven continents. They experienced the Northern Lights and Reindeer at Svalbard Norway in the Arctic Circle. They also passed through Cape Horn, one of the world's most dangerous passages, to experience the Emperor Penguins in the Antarctic. Of all the countries and cities visited, Betty’s favorite city was Dubai. They were there on two occasions and enjoyed a private tour, casinos and the famous Dubai Mall.  

Betty’s loving husband, Irving, predeceased her last year and sadly, their daughter, Linda Borman, passed away in 2015. Betty’s two precious brothers, Vernon Vaage and Leon Vaage also predeceased her. Betty is survived by daughters, Susan (Jeff) Pundt, Mary Kluever and Teresa (Doug) Juve; son-in-law, Dennis Borman; grandchildren, Wade Pundt, Angela Borman, Lindsay (Colin) Gagnon, Sara (Joe) Frey, Kyle Juve and Garrett Kluever; and great-grandchildren, Aricia Pundt, Olivia Frey, Emmeline Frey, Artemis Gagnon and Auggie Gagnon.  

A visitation will be held at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, followed by a private family interment.  

Donations may be made in Betty’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL  33607.  

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590