Billie Marie Oelberg Rose Waychus

Billie Marie Oelberg Rose Waychus, 82, of Hampton, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Manly Specialty Care Center. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service time. Inurnment will be held in the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Per Billie’s request, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

She was born June 10, 1941, the only child of Fred and Emma (Billie) Rose (nee Oelberg), of Clear Lake.

Billie cherished her childhood growing up in Clear Lake. She was heavily involved in Rainbow Girls and Girl Scouts and was a scout leader at Camp Gaywood (now Camp Tanglefoot). She enjoyed swimming and was a junior lifeguard for the Red Cross. She loved roller skating at Bayside roller rink, and dancing at the Surf Ballroom. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1959. When she was a senior, she was in attendance at the Surf for the concert after which Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson died.

She graduated from Iowa Beauty School in Des Moines and her first job as a cosmetologist was in Humboldt. From there, she moved to a shop in Willowbrook Plaza in Mason City, later opening her own shop, Town and Country, in Scarville. She was a Dale Carnegie graduate and a Dale Carnegie instructor. She was also an instructor at Capri Cosmetology College, and developed strong relationships with her students, many that sustain to this day. She was the first manager of Sally Beauty Supply in Mason City.

Billie loved watching old movies and listening to doo-wop from the 50s and 60s. She was outspoken with a memorable laugh and a sharp sense of humor. Her family will remember her as a loving mother and grandmother, a fierce Momma bear who was deeply devoted to her faith.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, and many aunts and uncles. Now she peacefully joins them.

Billie is survived by daughters Denise (Jay) Harrison of Aurora, IL, Deborah Riecks of Hampton, IA, and Emily (Joseph) Juntunen of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren Michael Harrison, Kathryn Harrison, Nicholas Heckman, Kristian (Aislinn) Heckman, TeraAnne Riecks; great-grandchildren Malachi and Payton; and many cousins, including Jim Rose, Fred Rose, and David Oelberg.