Betty I. Claus

Claus, Betty I. (Nee Fass) Of Glendale. Passed from this life on Monday, April 7, age 81 years. Dear wife for 58 years of Curt A. Claus. Beloved mother of Pastor Cristy (Rev. Dr. David) Schoob, Trinity Lutheran Church, West Bend and Carrie (Robert) Claus, Eden Prairie, MN. Cherished grandmother of Curt and Nicholas Schoob and Blake and Connor Claus. A dear sister-in-law to Lois (Dr. Robert) Fisher, Chevy Chase, MD. Also survived by niece Amy Moore, nephews David Fisher and Rick Fass, other relatives and friends. Betty had four passions in her life, family, church, medicine and tennis. She shared 58 years with Curt, putting up with his fishing and hunting, and doting over her daughters through their childhoods and their successful marriages and families. Her devotion to her church culminated in the ordination of her daughter, Cristy and son-in-law, David Schoob into the ELCA Lutheran Ministry at their home church, Fox Point Lutheran in 1984. Her interest in medicine was a life long commitment. Since her graduation from Milwaukee Downer College in Bio Chemistry in 1948 she worked as a cancer research technician at McCardle Cancer research institute at University of Wisconsin Madison while Curt finished his degree. On coming to Milwaukee in 1952, she attended many medical lectures at the Medical College of Wisconsin, covering a host of medical subjects, becoming well versed on most of them... She volunteered for years in the Bio Ethics department at the Medical College which gave her a deep sense of accomplishment. Tennis was the major interest in her life. From her playing as a team member on the Wisconsin Junior Wightman Cup competition while in high school to her association with Rollie and Marion Mueller, icons of Wisconsin tennis, to her joining Polly Hoff to form a permanent doubles team that lasted over 25 years and took them to the heights of competition. They were ranked first in Wisconsin Senior Women's Doubles, ages 35, 45 and 55 divisions. They were ranked number one nationally in Senior Women's doubles. They were awarded several gold tennis ball necklaces signifying winning national tournaments and a silver ball necklace as runners up at a national tournament. Tennis led Betty to accept an Ad Hoc instructor position at UWM Athletic Dept which then led her to become UWM women's tennis coach, a position she held for 18 years. She would cluck over her girls like a mother hen. As coach, her interest in orthopedics helper deal with her teams ankle, knee, wrist, elbow and shoulder aches and sprains over the years. She was well versed and proficient in these areas. She was honored as UWM Athletic Coach of the Year on her retirement from the athletic department. Betty continued to coach and teach privately until her knees gave out, forcing her complete retirement in early 1990's. Her interest continued with service on the board of the Wisconsin Tennis Association and its recreation committee. She also volunteered as an aide to Jackie Egelhoff's wheelchair tennis program at River Tennis Club for several years. A memorial service to pay tribute to this very special person will be held at Fox Point Lutheran Church, 7510 North Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point, on Sunday, April 20, at 5:00PM. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 to 5:00PM at the church. A reception will follow the service. Her express wish was to direct memorials to the Department of Bio Ethics, c/o Medical College of Wisconsin, 8707 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226 or Fox Point Lutheran Church as desired. NORTHSHORE FUNERAL SERVICES 414-961-1812 Jody Michael Armata, Director