SPARTA-Betty Lou Mulry left us on June 22, 2024 at the age of 81 in Sparta, Wisconsin, surrounded by her family, who were blessed to have cared for her in her home with the support of the amazing Mayo Hospital Hospice team.
Betty Lou Laverna Gast was born on May 5, 1943 to Harold and Laura Gast in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. She married Donald Mulry on April 20, 1968.
Betty always said her family was her greatest accomplishment. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She leaves behind Her husband, Don and their three daughters and spouses Jennifer (Robert) Lydon, Stefhanie (John) Greenwell, and Katherine (Raymond) Kirchhoff. She cherished her grandchildren Brandon (Heidi) Lydon, Emily (Benjamin) Schaitel, Zachary (Olivia) Lydon, Olivia (Noah James) Schulz, Natalie (Tanner Oswald) Schulz, Jyllian and Nolan Kirchhoff. She was also blessed to welcome seven great-grandchildren John Paul, Brent, Kaiser, Grayson, Hallie, Cleo and Everett.
After high school, Betty moved to Milwaukee to attend Lutheran Hospital of Nursing earning her degree in 1964. She soon joined the Peace Corp serving in Brazil, South America from 1966-1968. Betty pursued her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1976 and in 1986 achieved her Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Adult Health Nursing.
Betty had a long and prosperous 50-year career in the nursing field, serving in several different capacities. Betty was a humble warrior who dedicated her career to the advancement of the nursing profession from the classroom to the work environment. Her professional achievements include University of Wisconsin Health 1968 – 1976 and 1977-1979; Madison General Hospital 1976-1977. Betty and Don moved to Sparta in 1980 where she began her career at St. Mary’s Hospital (Franciscan Skemp/Mayo Health System) and worked in various capacities during her tenure until 1996 departing her position as the Director of Patient Services. She was also Nursing Faculty as Western Wisconsin Technical College 1985-1987.
When Betty and Don moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, she returned to the University of Wisconsin Hospital from 1996 – 2000. They eventually returned to Sparta (for good this time) where Betty worked at Rolling Hills from 2001 – 2004 as the Assistant Director of Nursing. Betty also worked at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse (Oncology/Medical) and retired as faculty with the University of Wisconsin- Madison School of Nursing at the Western Technical School campus.
Betty loved a great garage sale and a rare find at a thrift store. She enjoyed researching family history and developed the “Family Tree” for both her and Don’s family, which a monumental task before ancestry.com. She was a collector of Autumn Leaf (Jewel Tea) dishes and loved to garden and work with her flowers. She had an infectious laugh and was typically seen with a big smile on her face. During retirement, you could catch Betty occasionally playing Bingo and pull tabs as a Sunday outing with friends and family.
She is survived by her siblings Bea Lederer, Bonnie Reichel, Kay Gast, George (Bitsy) Gast, Gary (Chris) Gast, Karen Gast, Lynne (Ben) Collins, Deb (Dave) Churchill, Fawn (Bill) Peterson, and Sue (Steve) Hansel. Betty is also survived by Don’s family Dan (Laura) Mulry, Jack Weber, Karen Mulry, Pricilla Mulry, Dick Deeg, very special nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Harold and Laura Gast, brothers Harold Gast and Marty Gast, sister Laurie Gast, and brother-in-law Dan Reichel. She is also preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law Basil and Vera Mulry; sisters-in-law Barbara Deeg, Alice Brandl, Leone Weber, Karen Hammen, Mary Jane Thomson, and Rosemary Mulry; brothers-in-law Jack Mulry, Dick Mulry, Jim Mulry, and Jerry Thomson.
Betty, Betty Lou, BLM, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma – you will be missed, and we will love you always.
A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta, with Pastor Josh Buzbee officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the American Legion Post 100, Sparta. All are invited to attend to celebrate Betty’s wonderful life.
Family and friends are invited for a visitation at the church, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.
Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
