Betty J. Schiel

Betty J. Schiel, age 93, passed away on Friday November 15, 2024, in Bowler, Wisconsin. Betty was born on June 12, 1931, in Red Springs to the late Stephen and Thelma (Davids) Putnam. Our mother always had said she was blessed with good genes. She always looked younger than she was, lived an interesting life and had a good sense of humor. She was a lifelong Christian which sustained her throughout her life, helped her with the pain of losing our brother and father. Graduating from Bowler High School at 16, she entered a nursing school at Misercordia Hospital (now Elmbrook Hospital) in Milwaukee WI, this was the beginning of a 50-year career in various fields of nursing, during which time she earned her BS and MS in health care. On July 13, 1951, she was united in marriage to Douglas Schiel at Immanuel Mohican Lutheran Church in Red Springs. The couple spent a wonderful 51 years together before Douglas's passing in 2003.
Once retired she continued to volunteer in community service, serving on different committees, including being appointed to the Equal Rights Council by Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1991. Mom loved to travel. We took a family trip to Alaska in 1965 to visit Aunt Ramona and her family. This was when the Al-Can highway was all gravel! Such an adventure! Our family and cousin, Nancy all in a Rambler station wagon without air conditioning! She also visited daughter Peggy in England in 1979 and went to China in 1984. At age 80 she fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving back to the Stockbridge-Munsee reservation, sitting on many committees and running for tribe council at one point. As arthritis set in mom spent her days reading, playing variations of Scrabble and Hand and Foot which was her preferred card game. Mom will be truly missed.
Betty is survived by her children, Peggy (Fred) Haueter, Sandra (Scott) Blaha and Karen (Kevin) Thompson; grandchildren, Loni (Jim) Gornick, Daniel (Rachel Darken) Haueter, Chrstine (Chris) Rojewski, Emily (David) Tay, Tracy (Chris) Shing and Melissa (Jared) Clayburn; nine great-grandchildren; sisters; Alice Marie (John) Demjen and Judy Hartley; and sister-in-law, Rosie Putnam. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Douglas; son, David; siblings, Beryl (Henry) Schwab, Virgie Putnam, Ramona (Eugene) Harder, Pauline (John) McCartan, Beverly (Erwin) White and Joseph Putnam; and brother-in-law, Ralph Hartley.
A funeral service for Betty will be held at 11:00 am on Monday November 18, 2024, at Church of the Wilderness with Pastor Jon Schedler officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday November 19, 2024, at Highland Memorial Park 14875 W. Greenfield Ave, New Berlin.