Bette R. Brown, 90, Oconto Falls, died peacefully Thursday morning, April 9, 2015, at home, surrounded by family. She was born March 3, 1925, in Wausau to Otto and Minnie (Viertel) Schellin.
Bette grew up in nearby Eland and graduated from Wittenberg High School with the Class of 1943. Following graduation, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics and where she met her future husband.
Upon graduating college, her first teaching position was in Cedarburg for two years, followed by Suring for two years, then Coleman for 10 years and eventually Oconto Falls for over 30.
On June 4, 1949, she married Martin A. “Marty” Brown at Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. “Mrs. Brown,” as she was fondly referred to by her students at all ages, was a home economics teacher for all of her professional life and took great personal interest in her students’ abilities to succeed. Always the educator, Mrs. Brown was known to counsel her students about life’s challenges well after graduation.
She was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Eland. Bette enjoyed reading, knitting, going out for breakfast regularly and just being with people, talking about any and all current events.
Survivors are her two daughters, Lynneia (Ed) Miller, Marshfield, and Julianne (husband, David Bolger) Brown, Douglaston, New York; “just like a son,” retired U.S. Army Col. Andy Meverden, Denver, Colorado; three grandchildren, Johnathan, Martin and Samantha Bolger; a very special sister who took great care of Bette the past three years, Faye Slaney, Eland and Oconto Falls; one brother, John “Jack” (Bev) Schellin, Mosinee; one sister-in-law, Alice Schellin, California; many nieces, nephews and good friends, many of whom were former students.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marty, in 2004; one brother, Jim Schellin; an infant sister, Linnea; and onetime foster son, Dick Wood.
Visitation was held after 3 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2015, at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls until the time of service. Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with Chaplain Col. Andy Meverden, retired, officiating. Cremation followed, with inurnment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oconto Falls.
The Brown family would like to thank Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice, especially nurses Eric, Tina and Elizabeth for the care and kindness shown Bette during their time together.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Marshfield Area Pet Shelter (MAPS), P.O. Box 147, Marshfield, WI 54449, or Clark County Humane Society, W3926 State Highway 73, Neillsville, WI 54456.
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