Betty Stark

Betty E. Stark went to her heavenly home at age 98 on June 27, 2025, at the Lutheran Home Hospice after suffering from congestive heart failure. Betty was born January 31, 1927, in Waukesha, WI, to Edward and Bessie Pease. After graduating from high school, she married John F. Stark, a dairy farmer in New Berlin, WI, on April 27, 1946. Along with juggling the responsibilities of being a farmer’s wife and mother of three children, she also worked evenings as a long-distance telephone operator. After retiring from the telephone company, she volunteered countless hours for the Telephone Pioneers – repairing Talking Books machines for the blind. During her retirement, she babysat for her grandchildren and the children of her neighbors and other working parents. She loved sewing and made stuffed hearts for hospital patients recovering from surgery, stuffed animals for first responders to give to children, and quilts for nursing homes. Betty was close with her E&R United Church of Christ family; until recently, she attended every Sunday, participated in Bible studies, and baked for church events. She also enjoyed reading and tending her huge backyard garden, often making jellies and canning the fruits and vegetables she grew. She liked being one with nature – going for daily walks in Minoka Park with her little dog, and feeding and watching birds in her backyard.

Betty is survived by her dear sister Bonnie Riolo and brother-in-law Carl Riolo. Her sister-in-law, Lois Pease. Her 3 children: John W. Stark and his wife Patricia, Meri A. Kopacz and her husband George, and Karin L. Scott and her husband Bob. Her 5 grandchildren: Shana Stark, Josh Anderson and his partner Tiffany, Alyssa Anderson and her partner Matt, Ryan Scott and his wife Mallory, and Daniel Scott and his wife Krista. And 6 step grandchildren: April Broom and her husband Ryan, Kelly Kucharski and her partner Chad, Krystle Kucharski, Shane Skrobak and his wife Carolyn, Travis Skrobak and his wife Gina, and Sarah Dawson and her husband Neil. In addition, she had 14 great-grandchildren: Ashton, Paul, Briar, Hickory, Abbott, Addilee, Monroe, Presley, Lincoln, Evie, Maxwell, Barrett, Nia, and Jorja. Betty also had many nieces and nephews – all of whom she dearly loved.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, 2 brothers, George and Jack Pease, and her sister Barbara Reid.

Our world has lost a special person who touched the lives of so many with caring, kindness, and gentleness. Betty was a strong woman who overcame many obstacles with her tenacity and humor. She set a wonderful example for her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 14, at E & R United Church of Christ, 413 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha, WI, from 11 am to Noon, followed by a Noon service.

In lieu of sending flowers, Betty would prefer a charitable donation be made to either St Jude’s Children’s Research or the Wisconsin Humane Society.