Betty Jean Kowing

Madison -- Betty Jean (Johnson) Kowing, age 86 passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at the home of her son Mark, surrounded by her children. Betty Jean was born to Dewey W. and Esther (Gray) Johnson on March 15, 19 23 in Madison .   Betty graduated from Madison West High School in 1940 and headed out to Washington D.C. to work as a fiscal clerk for the War Department's Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) during World War II.   While working in the Pentagon she was privileged to meet many actors and actresses during the war bond promotions and it was a very exciting time in her life. In 1945 Betty returned to Madison and took a job as a supervisor with USAFI.   She later worked as a legal secretary for Darrell D. MacIntyre, a prominent criminal defense attorney.   It was during this time that Betty began flying lessons which she enjoyed tremendously...the ironic part is she could fly a plane but couldn't drive a car!   While raising her children Betty did bookkeeping for her husband's contracting business and also a local excavating contractor.   At the age of 50 Betty started her second career as a supervisor of clerical services followed by the position she would hold until her retirement at the age of 74 -- receptionist for the Department of Revenue. Betty was married to Warren D. Kowing at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison and put her public service life on-hold while raising seven children.   Betty is survived by her children; Timothy (Marilyn), Thomas (Andrea), Christopher (Colleen), Marilyn (Dale) Bachim, Brian (Carlene), Laurie and Mark, 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.   She is also survived by her former sister-in-law; Delores Johnson and nephew, Jeffrey (Kathy) Johnson.   Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Warren, her parents, Dewey and Esther Johnson, and brother, Donald Johnson. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH , 312 Wisconsin Ave. , on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor John Swanson officiating.   A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd. , on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.   Burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery , 7302 Mineral Point Rd. , Madison .   Memorials may be made to the HospiceCare Foundation, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy. , Madison , WI 53711 or to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, 110 King Street, Suite 203 , Madison , WI 53703 . The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Hospice staff for their exceptional care and support...their efforts and skills gave us extra time with Mom, a great gift for us.   Our family would like to thank our brother, Mark from the bottom of our hearts!   Mark, thank you for giving up your home, privacy, and putting your career on hold to take care of Mom-there will never be an adequate way to thank you for being the wonderful son and brother that you are!