Betty Jane Wilsmann, age 86, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at the family residence with family by her side.
Betty was born on April 30, 1932 in Sheboygan. She was the daughter of the late Herbert and Edna
(Wippermann) Wunsch. After graduating from Sheboygan Central High School in 1950, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan for one year before transferring to Wisconsin State College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1954, graduating with honors and inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, Honorary Fraternity. Betty taught first grade for one year at Franklin School in Appleton. On August 6, 1955 she married Howard Wllsmann and continued her teaching career at Menekaunee School in Marinette, WI. In 1957 they moved to Manitowoc. Since that time Betty had worked as the summer “story lady” for the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan in summers while attending college, she had wanted to be a librarian. She completed her librarian certification at Silver Lake College and was hired as library aide for Stangel School in Manitowoc when it opened in 1968. Betty continued in that position until she retired In 1990. Following retirement, she worked parttime for the Manitowoc Public Library for several years and volunteered to set up a church library at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church. Betty also supervised the book department at the Repeat Performance Resale Store.
Betty was an active member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church. In addition to being church librarian, Bety served as a Sunday School Teacher along with being a member of the Ladies of Immanuel. She was active In the WELS Church Librarians Organization. With her husband, she has enjoyed travel through Elderhostels, and to visit their children and their families, including trips to Europe which went beyond family visits. Betty enjoyed gardening and was a member of Nature’s Own Gardeners. She volunteered with her husband as an usher at the Capitol Civic Center.
She Is survived by her husband of 63 years, Howard, one daughter, Mary (Armin) Kaiser of Gerlingen, Germany; one son, Mark (lone) Wilsmann of Short Hills, NJ, five grandchildren, Katja Kaiser of Berlin, Germany and Kevin Kaiser of Munich, Germany, Lauren and Madison Wilsmann, Denver, CO, and Morgan Wilsmann, Washington DC, one step grandson, Alex Perm Ison, Short Hills, NJ, one niece, Nancy Wilsmann, Sun Prairie. She was preceded In death by her parents, two sisters, Berniece (Harvin) Hahn and Bernetta (Vernon) Hamann.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 916 Pine Street, Manitowoc. Officiating will be Rev. Daniel Sims with burial to take place at Knollwood Cemetery. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel in Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. Following the church services there will be a luncheon at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 N. Water Street, Manitowoc located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials to a memorial fund being established in Betty’s name. Online condolences to .the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc Is assisting the family with funeral arrangememts.
