Elizabeth “Betty” L. (Wyttenbach) Severson, 95, of Kendall died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Heritage Manor in Elroy.
She was born Aug. 31, 1918, to Walter and Elsa (Pfaff) Behnke in Ableman, Wis., which is now known as Rock Springs. She was baptized Sept. 29, 1918, and confirmed March 20, 1932, in Rock Springs at St. John Lutheran Church. Betty was a member of the Baraboo High School graduating class of 1936.
After high school, Betty attended the County Normal Teaching College. She took her first teaching job working in a one-room schoolhouse near Spring Green.
On June 12, 1941, Betty was united in marriage to Victor Wyttenbach. He preceded her in death Dec. 18, 1971. Relocating to the Kendall area in 1950, Betty and Vic owned the Corner Tavern. In 1980, Betty was united in marriage to Roselle F. Severson. They ran the Corner Tavern until 1992. He preceded her in death Feb. 5, 2006.
Betty was a faithful and devoted member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kendall. She was a longtime member of the Jolly Janes Homemakers Club, a member of St. John’s Ladies Aid, and a member of the Monroe County Tavern League and other organizations. She enjoyed card-playing, reading the most in her later years, watching “The Price is Right” and drinking a 7-ounce bottle of Miller Lite every day.
Betty will be remembered for being a good friend to many who have gone before her, her love of the Milwaukee Brewers, and her generosity.
She is survived by her children, Carole (Gail) Ramsey of Prairie du Sac, Wis., Lee (Cindy) Wyttenbach of Kendall, and Linda (Buzz) Finnigan of Kendall; seven grandchildren, Todd Lawson of Kendall, Nikki (Ryan) Redding of Houston, Texas, Gwen (Chad) Olson of Portsmouth, N.H., Clint (fiancée Jamie) Ramsey of Sauk City, Wis., Andrea (Troy) Kersten of Prairie du Sac, Wis., Victor (Amy) Wyttenbach of Elgin, Ill., and Nathan Wyttenbach of Kendall; seven great-grandchildren, Alexis, Valerie, Brook, Claire, Cole, Grace and Alayna; a brother, James (June) Behnke; and three sisters, Norma Caflisch, Joyce Karg and Donna (Jerry) Brooks. Betty is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Victor and Roselle; her parents, Walter and Elsa Behnke; two sisters, Pearl Edwards and Lois Hartung; two brothers, Arnold and Durlin “Budd” Behnke two brothers-in-law, Franz Wyttenbach and Fritz Wyttenbach; and a sister-in-law, Victoria Schulz.
Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kendall. Pastor Steven W. Neuman will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited on Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
