Obit: Degenhardt, Betty Jean “Elizabeth” (1931 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Degenhardt, Schiller, Updyke, Halle, Oldham, Smrekar, Hoffman, Malinoski, Hardrath

----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 11/24/2020

Degenhardt, Betty Jean “Elizabeth” (12 November 1931 – 18 November 2020)

Betty J. “Elizabeth” Degenhardt, 89, of Greenwood, died on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at her home.

“Hello obituary readers. I cannot read my obituary today as I am too busy greeting my family and friends in heaven. Thank you for a lifetime of waves!"

Betty Jean Updyke was born on November 12, 1931, in Greenbush, to Floyd L. and Laura H. (Schiller) Updyke. She was raised on a farm near Willard, and after graduating from Greenwood High School in 1950, Betty attended nursing school in Milwaukee. She returned home to care for her ailing grandmother. Betty met and married Edwin Joseph Degenhardt on February 6, 1951 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. They lived near Loyal and south of Greenwood, before buying a hobby farm in rural Greenwood, where they enjoyed raising beef cattle and milking a small herd. After her youngest child started school, Betty began working as a cook at St. Mary's Catholic School in Greenwood, where she was a cook for over 20 years. After retiring in 1992, they built a home in Greenwood, moved into the city, and she took care of her husband and her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and the Deutscher Club.

Betty enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, polka dancing, and helping others.

She is survived by her children: Duane (Carol) Degenhardt of Klemme, IA, Diane Degenhardt of Eau Claire, Dinna (Glenn) Halle of Neillsville, Denel Degenhardt of Greenwood, Denis (Mary) Degenhardt of Owen, Dany (Diane) Degenhardt of Spencer, Denet (Kevin) Oldham of Greenwood, Darin (Florence) Degenhardt of Greenwood; 27 grandchildren; 43 great grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; 2 sisters: Judy (Larry) Smrekar of Inverness, FL, Gloria Hoffman of Stratford; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edwin, on April 2, 2001; one daughter, Denise Malinowski, on August 10, 2007; one grandson, Adam Oldham, on January 3, 2001; one sister, Bonnie Hardrath; and one brother, Floyd Degenhardt, Jr.

Per Betty's request, no services will be held.