Elizabeth “Betty” J. Arndt, 89, of Wilton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Tomah Health. She was born April 7, 1934, to Harold S. and Dorothy (Peters) Wallace in Tomah. She attended Oil City Country School and later Ontario High School, graduating in the class of 1952. While in high school, Betty was a school librarian all four years, class president her sophomore year, in the forensics club her freshman and junior years, cheerleader her junior year, on the annual staff her senior year, and on the newspaper staff her junior year as well.
On Nov. 24, 1953, Betty was united in marriage to Bernard Lyle Arndt St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. Together, they farmed in the town of Wellington. He preceded her in death May 19, 2018. From 1953–1954, Betty worked at the Cashton Tobacco Warehouse. She also worked for Tenny Ostrum in Viroqua for $1/week harvesting tobacco. She went on to work for Tillman’s, cryo-sealing turkey and chickens to make enough money to give her children Christmas presents. Betty was an excellent cook, gardener, and dancer. Betty and Bernard loved to dance; their favorite was the Foxtrot.
She is survived by her children, Joan Marie (Glenn) Affeldt, Darlene Ann Diekrager, Virginia “Jenny” Rose Waege, Sandra Kay (Dave) Noth, and Carol Louise (significant other,Bob Thelen) Bernhardt; her grandchildren, Brenda Polhman, Kurt Diekrager, David Affeldt, Sarah Johnson, Emily Lasko, John Noth, Brian Diekrager Kaleb Bernhardt, and Brooke Bernhardt; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Alice Mae (Hank) Strohmyer; and a brother, Duane. She is further survived by numerous Arndt families, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorothy; her husband, Bernard; a grandson, Paul Noth; a son-in-law, Morry Waege; a brother, Dale Wallace; a sister-in-law, Carlene Wallace; along with numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law on Bernard’s side.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Wilton Community Center, 400 East St., Wilton. Pastor Karen Sparling will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Tuesday at the community center from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Wilton is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
