Elizabeth Humpel

Madison - Elizabeth "Betty" Humpel died at the age of 98 on September 21, 2011 embraced by her son (Raymond Roder), daughter-in-law (Patricia) and grandsons (Mathew and Russell). While they mourned the loss of this kind and selfless mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, they rejoiced in a new citizen of Heaven. She will be missed as well by family members, friends, and acquaintances, who described her as generous and sweet.

Elizabeth was born on February 28, 1913. She was the fourth child of Mathew and Emilia (Laszlo) Schnur, and the only one of their children born in the United States. Her brothers and sister were born in Hungary before their parents moved to Chicago in 1910. All of her immediate family has predeceased her.

Typical of the time, she only completed part of her high school education. At the age of sixteen, she worked in Chandler, Arizona as an au pair. After returning to Chicago, she held several positions as a housekeeper and cook. In 1939 she married Arthur E. Roder, who died in 1964. Elizabeth married James ("Jim") Humpel, who died in 1977.

From 1950 to 1962, she worked for Western Electric, principally as an assembler of radar equipment. One of the highlights of her time at W.E. was the job of forklift driver. Despite her mere five feet of height, she did this job as well as her burly male co-workers. She left W.E. to be a homemaker for her new husband Jim.

Elizabeth (or Betty as most of her friends called her) was the chauffer for her friends' numerous dining-out and dinner theater outings and health care trips. She frequently gave up weeks and months at a time to tend to the medical needs of others. She helped raise her niece Lesley Ann upon the untimely death of Lesley Ann's mother (Marie Warner Schnur). She also cared for her father during the last years of his life.

Elizabeth moved to Madison in 1998 so her son Raymond could help her with the daily tasks that had become more difficult with age. She relished hearing about the exploits of her great-grandchildren from the birth of her first one, Jack, in October 2007 through her last moments. Elizabeth lived independently at Green Tree Glen until a series of illnesses necessitated a move to assisted living at Sylvan Crossings in Fitchburg. In the last weeks of her life, the staff at Sylvan Crossings was led and supported by the staff of Hospice Care. She showed that a seemingly ordinary life can be beautiful.
Elizabeth is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, grandsons, granddaughters-in-law (Nicole and Carolyn), six great-grandchildren: Mathew/Nicole - Emma, Sophia, and Raymond; Russell/Carolyn - Jack, Emilia, and Charlotte; nephews Mathew Schnur and William (Leone) Nelsen, and nieces Christine (Robert) Willice and Lesley Ann (Stanley) Ollada.

There will be a memorial service for Elizabeth at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will be served in the Cress Community Room following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice Care, Inc.