Betty Sobotta

1944 - 2025

Betty Sobotta

March 17, 1944 - August 20, 2025

Betty (Mewhorter) Sobotta passed away at 10:10 PM on August 20, 2025. She was born to Harry and Hazel (Benson) Mewhorter on March 17, 1944, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the youngest of four children. She grew up just south of Eau Claire and as a child was always interested in books and reading, later on, creative pursuits like sewing, knitting and making teddy bears, but reading and learning were always her main sources of enjoyment.

Betty's school career began in first grade at age six at Porter School in the town of Washington. She had gotten her first bicycle and rode to school with older brother Doug and neighborhood friends-a mile and a half each way. In winter, they walked the three miles a day. Porter was a one room school with 40 plus students that year, all eight grades, and all taught by one teacher. On frigid winter days, she recalled that they sometimes sat atop their desks with feet on the seat and coats on, as the room was so cold with only wood or oil burners as heat.

Her parents always stressed the importance of education, and she was a diligent student. After eighth grade, she attended ninth grade at Eau Claire Junior HS and then on to Memorial High School for grades 10-12 where she graduated as one of eight Valedictorians in the Class of 1962. After graduation, Betty enrolled at, then, Wisconsin State College, in Eau Claire where she majored in English with a minor in psychology. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1966 and was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities that year.

In 1966, Betty began her teaching career at Mondovi, WI, where she taught high school English for four years. There she met Don Sobotta in 1967. Their first "date" was his helping her start her red Ford Mustang at the end of a frigid winter school day! The rest is history as the saying goes. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Mondovi on December 28, 1968. In 1975, they welcomed their only child, Ethan Thomas. The family moved to Eau Claire in 1976 when Don joined CVTC as an Ag instructor, and later as an administrator until his retirement in 1999. Betty was a full-time mom when Ethan was young and never regretted those years, as her family was always her top priority. After completing her Master of Arts degree in English at UWEC in 1989, she taught for five years in a workplace education program through CVTC at Cray Research in Chippewa Falls. When that program ended, she also taught one year in Chippewa Falls schools.

Both before and after retirement, Don and Betty traveled the country and visited nearly every state, often searching for antiques as this was a mutual interest throughout their married life. In later years, they always headed west toward Seattle to spend time with Ethan, Erin and grandson Henry. Erin was truly a "daughter" to them, and that they doted on their only grandchild was a given! Son Ethan had become an accomplished musician and teacher, so attending a concert in which he played or his group's "gig" at a Seattle club was priceless to his parents.

Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, Don; son and daughter-in-law Ethan Sobotta and Erin Conery, and grandson Henry Sobotta, of Seattle, WA; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Ramona Mewhorter, Maple Grove, MN, and treasured lifelong-friend, Alice Piercy of Eau Claire. She is also survived by Don's siblings and spouses: Jim and Mary Sobotta, Mary and John Wozney; Ruth and Gene Kacheroski; Bev and Jack Keiper; Joan Baumbach, and sister-in-law, Kay Sobotta, as well as many nieces and nephews from both families.

Preceding her in death were her parents; parents-in-law Ernest and Kate Sobotta; brothers Robert (Alma) Mewhorter and Dennis (Lorraine) Mewhorter; brothers-in-law Dean Sobotta and Gerald Baumbach, nieces Sara Balaker and Connie Velci, and beloved nephew Scott Mewhorter.

Betty's wish was that no public services be held. Her hope was that she be remembered as she was: a quiet introvert who tried her best to live a productive and caring life in an extrovert world. May you all appreciate and cherish your time with the people you hold dear.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.chippewavalleycremation.com.