Elizabeth (Betty) J. Schroeder, 81, of Wilton passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, at the Serenity House in Tomah, surrounded by family.
She was born April 15, 1932 to Leo and Hildegard (Flock) Kruk in Sparta. Betty grew up on St. Mary’s Ridge, where she graduated valedictorian of her high school class in 1949. It was here on St. Mary’s Ridge where she met and married the love of her life, Norbert (Ole) J. Schroeder. They married Sept. 22, 1949, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. Their first four years of marriage were spent farming west of Wilton. They then moved to the village of Wilton, where Betty worked several years at Tillman Produce. In 1959, Ole and Betty relocated 1 mile north of Wilton and spent the next 46 years here raising their family. Her love for children was quite evident, not only by their own 12, but also by motivating young students as a teacher’s aide at Wilton Elementary School for 32 years. After retiring from teaching, Betty worked part time at Walmart in Tomah. Ole and Betty moved to Tomah in 2005, and after Ole’s death on March 3, 2011, Betty moved back to Wilton.
In her spare time, you’d find Betty in her flower gardens. Flowers were her passion. Creating numerous woodcrafts together with Ole was another pastime she relished. She enjoyed knitting and sewing for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Ladies. She also was a very devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, serving on the P.C.C.W. and spending countless hours dedicated to the church’s well being. Betty will be remembered for her great love for her family, friends and faith.
She is survived by 12 children, Patricia (Jerry) Eckelberg of Wilton, Robert (Carol) of Elroy, Linda (Bill) Bauer of Spencer, Wis., Kathleen (Dick) Ballwahn of Plymouth, Wis., Nancy Touchstone of Wilton, Theresa (David) LeDuc of Denver, Colo., Timothy (Teresa) of Kendall, Shirley (Michael) Harris of Millville, Calif., Jeffrey of Tomah, Judy (Shawn) Handland of Holmen, Bruce of Tomah and Stephanie (Travis) Woods of Wilton; 29 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; six brothers, Donald (Barb) Kruk of Kenosha, Eugene (Dawn) Kruk, Charles Kruk and LaVern Kruk, all of Sparta, Leo Kruk of Rockford, Ill., and Michael (Joyce) Kruk of Belvedere, Ill.; a sister, Rosemary O’Neil of Thorp, Wis.; and six sisters-in-law, Rita Schroeder, Louise Schroeder and Margaret (Linus) Heinz, all of Sparta, Isabelle (Jay) Ferris of Sheridan, Wyo., Ramona Schroeder of Greendale, Wis., and Thelma (Richard) Dunnum of Milwaukee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ole; her grandson, Travis Schroeder; a sister, Shirley Rasmussen; five brothers-in-law, John Rasmussen, Fritz Schroeder, Harold Schroeder, Otto Schroeder and Jim Schroeder; and one sister-in-law, Betty Schroeder.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. Father Richard Dickman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church from 4–8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Wilton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice Touch/Serenity House, Tomah.
