Our beloved mother, Betty McFadden, passed away on Wednesday, December 20th, 2023 in Burlington, WI at the age of 98. She was surrounded by family and much love as she made her way from this life to the next.
Betty Jane Freund was born on August 9th, 1925 to Bernard and Anna Freund. She grew up in Milwaukee and fondly spent her summers at her grandparents’ farm. She graduated from West Division High School and went on to work at the Nunn Bush shoe factory. While there, her future father-in-law introduced her to his son, James W. McFadden. Betty and Jim married on June 28th, 1947 and were happily married for 65 years, making their home in Waterford, WI. Betty was a cherished wife, mother and friend. She learned how to drive in her thirties, baked a pie most Fridays, sewed up a storm, loved playing cards, enjoyed doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Once her children were a little older, she began earning her own money. She painted golf balls for two cents a ball in her home and worked as a tour guide at Green Meadows Farm for many years until the age of seventy.
Betty is survived by her four loving children: Linda McFadden of Minneapolis, MN, Susan McFadden (Jef Abbott) of Waterford, Jim (Cory) McFadden of Waterford, and Nancy (Kirk) McFarlin of Whitefish Bay; four grandchildren: Joshua McFadden, Ella, Jack, and Molly McFarlin and many nephews and nieces. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her brother, Ray Freund, and her husband, James McFadden.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 6th at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Waterford, WI beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Love, Inc. in honor of Betty.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Oak Park Place in Burlington, WI where Betty spent her final 15 months. They went out of their way to provide her with loving care and make it feel like she was at home. Much gratitude goes out to Jennifer, Liz, and the rest of the staff at St. Croix Hospice for their compassion and care.
Betty was deeply loved and will be dearly missed. Unlike the song, we sure hope there is some beer in heaven, along with food that tastes as wonderful as she remembers it tasting. We will forever carry her in our hearts.
Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home
225 W. Main St. Waterford, WI 53185
(262) 534-2233