Betty Jean Anderson

Betty Jean Anderson (Kidd), 94, of Readstown passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023. Betty was born the youngest of seven children in the Richland Center Hospital on April 23, 1929. Her parents were Van Otis Kidd and Blanche Bell Long. Her father was a cheese maker and they moved around a lot. She moved seven times growing up; all in Wisconsin: North Clayton, Bloom City, Richland Center, West Fork, Cuba City, and Excelsior, before graduating High School at Blue River in 1948.

After graduating High School, she worked as a telephone operator in Viroqua. It was during this time that she met Otto (Sam) Anderson. She was in the Viroqua ice cream parlor visiting her friend, Avis. Avis was dating Tell Hooverson, who was sitting at the same table. Sam grew up across the road from Tell on a farm in the Pine Knob area. Sam saw Tell inside the ice cream parlor and walked over to sit down at their table and talk to Tell. The waitress might have been an angel as she assumed Sam and Betty were together and gave Sam the bill. Sam gladly paid it and asked to give Betty a ride home. It was at this time he asked Betty out on a date. Sam always treated Betty like she was the best thing to happen to him. He absolutely adored her and Betty loved Sam's eyes. Sam was a good fit for Betty. Sam was strongly opposed to drinking alcohol and Betty had the same values as she was raised Methodist. Sam was also a hard worker like her dad and this made Betty fall for Sam even more. They were married in the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Soldiers Grove on April 11, 1950. The maid of honor was her sister and best friend, Emma Jane Thorpe and the best man was Christen Davig.

They started their life together in Racine. It was there that all four of their children were born. They bought their first home in Racine in 1954. Betty worked at Western Coil for a short time but she, mainly, worked as housewife for her entire life taking care of her family. She was a good housewife; the house was always clean and good meals were on the table on time. She and Sam always enjoyed fussing over their lawn and flower garden. Betty wasn't materialistic but she enjoyed her collection of fancy dishes. Sam bought her a piano for Valentine’s Day one year in the 1950's. She enjoyed singing and playing her piano in her spare time. Sam and Betty enjoyed bird watching. Betty was a sports fan and enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Braves and later, the Milwaukee Brewers. She enjoyed the Packers and the Badgers games too. When she was in her 80's, her son, David, treated her to her first ball game at Miller Park. But her family was her first joy.

Sam and Betty sold their home in Racine in 1982. They then moved their family back to the area where they grew up. Sam and Betty built a home on the outskirts of Readstown the same year and Betty loved this home for the next 39 years. It was here she took care of Sam until he passed away in 2014. When it was time for Betty to leave her home, she said, "I've moved so many times in my life, it won't bother me to move again". Betty was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Racine and later Peace Lutheran Church in Readstown including being active in the Ladies Aid at both churches.

Special thanks to her daughter, Sandy and son-in-law, Paul for taking her in in her later years.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Van Otis Kidd and Blanche Bell Long; her six siblings: Richard (Bessie) Kidd, Goldie (Roy) Berg, Dolly June (Rueben) Roth, Gordon (Marguerite) Kidd, Erma (Art) Schweitzer, Emma Jane (Rocky) Thorpe; her loving husband, Otto (Sam) Anderson; and her son-in-law, Paul Schneider.

She is survived by her children: Sandra Schneider of Readstown, David (Brenda) Anderson of Milwaukee, Ken (Tammy) Anderson of Mazomanie, and Julia (Aaron) Barth of Onalaska; grandchildren: Gina Howell, Eric Schneider, Tyler Wright, Trevor Wright, Hannah Wright, Tasia Pinkham, Annika Anderson, Brady Barth, Tyler Barth, Kasey Barth, and Anna Barth; and great-grandchildren: Kara (Dylan) Perry, Emma Howell, Rodney Howell, Tava Howell, Zachary Schneider, Luke Schneider, and Oscar “Emily” Schneider.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Peace Lutheran Church in Readstown. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Betty will be laid to rest at a later date. A luncheon will follow the service at the church.

Sime Funeral Home & Crematory in Readstown is serving Betty's family.

106 S. 4th Street

Readstown, WI 54652

(608) 629-5651