Alberta Peterson

MADISON - Alberta "Betty" May (nee Carmody) Peterson, passed from this earth surrounded by her children on April, 20, 2013. She was 85 years old.

Betty was born at home on June 16, 1927 in Sugar Bush, Wisconsin to William and Audrey (Howard) Carmody, who preceded her death in 1976 and 1960.

Betty was born with a form of spina bifida and as child overcame great obstacles in her life. As a six year old, Betty spent six months at the Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Madison, where she received "corrective " surgery for a club foot. The procedure failed, but Betty later taught herself to walk without a limp and for the rest of her life, her physical limitations never held her back.

During the depression, Betty lived with her family on a farm in rural Hortonville, Wisconsin. Later Betty graduated (1945) from Sturgeon Bay High School, when her family moved there during WWII, for her father's employment as a ship builder.

Betty moved to Chicago processing war bonds after high school, but later relocated to Milwaukee, where she worked for the Telephone Company. In 1954, Betty married Robert Peterson and started a family. Betty raised three children. During those years, Betty ran a home typing business, became a Girl Scout leader and Neighborhood Chairman. She was active at her church, St. Agnes, in Butler, Wisconsin where she was president of Home and School, taught catechism and participated in a theatrical drama, "The Upper Room" as Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Betty and her husband divorced in 1971 and Betty continued her strong dedication to her family as a single parent. Betty worked full time as a clerk at Kohl's Department store and later in offices at Colart and Applied Power. Betty retired in 1989. Once she retired, she obtained a Paralegal Certificate. Betty spent many hours with her grandchildren taking then on numerous day trips and adventures. In 1996, Betty moved with her daughter's family to the farm in Jefferson. In 2003, she relocated to Madison to be near her son, Bobby. Betty was an avid Brewer fan who scored all the games for many years until her health declined. Betty also had other hobbies which included reading and researching questions with a strong sense of intellectual curiosity, and sketch drawing. Betty even owned a horse for a time.

Betty is survived by her three children, Sandra Wanzer (Brian), Lucerne, California , Mary Peterson (Phil Jucha), Cedar Grove, Wisconsin and Bobby Peterson, Madison, Wisconsin. Betty has a sister, Frances Roloff, New London, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Howard Carmody, (Dale, Wisconsin), Leo Carmody, Escondido, California, and sister, Rhoda Lemanski, Cudahy, Wisconsin. Betty is survived by two grandchildren, Jason Welsh (Michelle), Charleston, S.C. and Michael Peterson (Carrie) Neosho, Wisconsin and 4 great grandchildren, Cameron, Christian, Alexander, and Zachary.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances please join us in a celebration of Betty's life, on the date of her birth, June 16, 2013. This celebration will take place at her son's farm in Jefferson, Wisconsin . For more information contact Bobby at bo_bee1@yahoo.com