Betty J. Zirk, 90, of Wilton, Wis., passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, surrounded by her family.
She was born Sept. 30, 1933, in Beloit, the daughter of Hollis and Luella (Stark) Meacham. She was united in marriage to Edward (Eddie) Zirk Jr. on Sept. 3, 1955, and they lived and raised a family on a dairy farm in Kendall.
Betty taught grades first through eighth in a one-room schoolhouse after obtaining her teaching degree from Juneau County Normal College in New Lisbon. She worked many years in Juneau County Extension and the county clerk’s office in Mauston. After retirement, she continued to work at the Wilton Public Library and taught Sunday School at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
She is survived by her children, Kim (William) Jefferson of Elroy, Linda (Mike) Barta of Tomah, Jeff (Sherry) Zirk of Rochester, Minn., Tammy (Duane) Roscovius of Kendall, Danny Zirk of Kendall, and James (Tricia) Zirk of Elroy; her grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Andrew, Adam, Ryan, Lindsay, Matthew, Ashley, Laura, Allen, Courtney, Chelsey, Chandler, Cameron and Kasey; 23 great-grandchildren (and another to be born in June); her sisters, Nancy Welch of Janesville and Lorrie (Larry) Bever of Wilton; her sister-in-law, Margaret Meacham of Wilton; and nieces, nephews and many special friends and neighbors who helped watch over her.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eddie Zirk; her son, Steven Zirk; her brothers, Hollis (Jim) Meacham and Wesley Meacham; and her brother-in-law, Patrick Welch.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 401 Mill St., Wilton. Karen Sparling (Synod Authorized Minister) will officiate. Burial will be in St. Luke’s Lutheran Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
