Betty A. Hartung, age 94 of Elmwood, died Tuesday January 2, 2024, at Hudson Hospital and Clinic in Hudson surrounded by her family.
Betty was born November 21, 1929, in the Township of Lima, rural Durand. She was the daughter of Andrew and Emma (Bauer) Brunner and grew up in the Lima community. She attended elementary and high school at Sacred Heart Catholic schools at Lima. After high school, Betty attended business college and worked for a short time for a law firm in Durand. She married Robert “Bob” D. Hartung June 7, 1949, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church-Lima, and were married for 72 years. Shortly after marriage, Betty and Bob began their family and purchased a small farm just outside Elmwood (Farm Hill). It is on this farm that they continued to farm and raise their eight children.
Even with the large family to attend to, Betty always made herself available to help others through her membership with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood and as an active member of the church’s Ladies Aid and Alter & Rosary Societies. Betty never missed an opportunity to help neighbors who had lost loved ones or that were going through difficult situations. Betty was a mother of eight, but more than that, she was the ultimate example of a “mom.” She had a way of making each of her children feel like they were the most special. Betty was best known for being an incredible cook and baker. As her family grew up and began families of their own, it was not uncommon for Betty to serve over 30 family members for holiday lunches and dinner and always a full course meal with a large choice of desserts to go with it. Betty enjoyed it more than anything when she could provide someone with a meal, and they went away satisfied. Betty had a heart of gold that extended beyond her own family and to all those which she saw a need.
As the kids grew and moved away, Betty took up hobbies to occupy time that included ceramics, playing cards, and of course doting over her grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her children, Lynda (Rick) Condon of Parrish Fl, John of Sarasota, FL, Richard (Marla) of Manvel, TX, Randy (Ruth) of Elmwood, Mary (Bob) Milliren of Plum City, Terri of Prescott, Becky (Dave) Will of Ellsworth; a sister, Goldene Weiss of Elmwood.
She is further survived by 27 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob in 2022, a son, Robert Joseph (Bobby), a brother Hubert (Helen) Brunner, sisters, Sr. M. Mona Brunner, Winifred (Louis) Schuh and Jean (Al) McCook; and a brother-in-law, Edmund Weiss.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Monday January 8, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmwood with Rev. Anbalagn Shanmugam officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery immediately following the services.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Welcome Home Assisted Living in Elmwood and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mel, Lindsey, Mallory and all the staff at Welcome Home Assisted Living in Elmwood for all the kindness, loving and tender care that was shown to our mother.
Condolences to the family may be made at rhielfuneralhome.com.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Elmwood is serving the family.
