Betty J. Walters

Betty Jane Walters passed away surrounded by the love of her family in the early morning hours of August 24, 2024 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was 77 years old. Her family is devastated by our loss but relieved that her pain is done. 

Betty is mourned by her family and friends, including her husband of 51 years, John Walters of Waterloo, WI; daughter Tina (Ryan) Martin of Green Bay, WI and grandchildren Rhys and Tobin; daughter Elana (Sam) Crueger of Stevens Point, WI and grandchildren Celia and Greyson; sister Carol Guard of Corvalis, OR; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends who are family.

Betty was born on April 20, 1947 in Loves Park, IL to Kenneth and Viola Ris. After graduating from Harlem High, she moved to Wisconsin and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-Platteville. She went on to a 23-year career in teaching at Kromrey in Middleton and Westside in Sun Prairie. She truly loved her students, her grade-level teaching team, and being a teacher. After teaching 4th grade for so many years, no one could top her in trivia knowledge about the state of Wisconsin. She was also an active member of Sun Prairie United Methodist Church. Her main focus though, was being the most loving wife and mother our family could imagine.

When the kids moved away, Betty spent an active retirement living with John in Waterloo, where she kept busy spending time with dear friends, keeping up with all the many activities of four grandchildren, and volunteering. She shared her caring nature with others through Meals on Wheels, the food pantry, teaching English as a second language, working with literacy programs, and making rugs through the church as she became an active member of Waterloo United Methodist Church. Her favorite activity was still family-oriented as she enjoyed having us all in her home for holidays or weekend visits, and it became affectionately known as “Eating Camp”. She still found time to take trips with John to Missouri, Texas, Mississippi and New Orleans, Tennessee, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah and with Carol to Oregon and Hawaii. 

Betty will be remembered most of all for her kindness, selflessness, and care for others. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Second Harvest of Southern Wisconsin (secondharvestsw.org) or your local food bank.

An informal Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 31 at 3:00pm at the Waterloo American Legion Post 233 where she and John often participated in events with friends. 9250 State Road 89, Waterloo WI.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie

(608) 837-9054

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com