Betty Ann Roberts-Punko

Betty Ann Roberts-Punko was born 9/11/1928 in Whitefish Bay, WI and died 09/16/2018 (90 yrs.) Born to Mae and Rudolf Treder. Survived by loving sister Louise Summers, her children James Brian Roberts of Roscoe, IL, Kevin Michael Roberts (Anne Stray-Gunderson) of Watertown, WI, and Timothy Patrick Phillip Roberts (Caroline Smith) of Manhattan Beach, CA. Also survived by grandchildren Phillip Roberts, Jamie Karp (Daniel), and Sam Davis (Kelsea).  Loving great-grandmother to Phillip Jr., Parker, and Edith. Preceded in death by beloved family – sister Rudith Sheridan, daughter-in-law Julie Roberts, and husbands Phillip Roberts and Walter Punko. Further survived by stepchildren Thomas (Patricia) and Jane, step grandchildren Lisa (Dale), Jeff (Lori), Joshua, Corey (Nicole) and Nicole (Brian). She always enjoyed time with her step great grandchildren, Alicia and Jacob, Jonathan, Ryan, Dakota, Camren and Casey, and Kayla.  She was predeceased by stepsons James and Dennis.  She was also very grateful for time spent with nieces and nephews Mary, Bill, Elizabeth, Margaret, Stephen, Peter, and Mary.

Betty Ann led an idyllic childhood in Whitefish Bay and graduated from Whitefish Bay High School, where it was that she met her sweetheart and first husband, Phillip Wallace Roberts.  However, the war years intervened and she left the Milwaukee area to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while Phillip served in Japan during WWII. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and the Zeta Phi Eta professional speech society.  A golden-tressed head-turner, Betty Ann was crowned a “Badger Beauty” and in that role supported many campus activities.  After graduation she returned to the Milwaukee area and married Phillip. The young couple moved first to Appleton and then to Middleton WI, and it was there that she forged her life-long love of Summers Christmas Tree Farm, which is owned and operated by her sister Louise’s family.  After a move back to the Milwaukee area, and with her degree in education, Betty Ann taught Forensics, Speech, and Social Studies in the Deerfield school district, and she employed the same skills at schools in Sparta and Wauwatosa. In later years, she served the City of Brookfield as Secretary to the City Clerk. In 1985 her husband, Phillip passed away from what was at that time a little understood disease, and she began to champion the cause of Alzheimer’s disease research, and became a founder of the Alzheimer’s Support Network of Wisconsin. She served as a lead on the Governor’s task force and travelled statewide helming seminars and speaking to hospital and caregiver groups. She also had several articles published on Alzheimer’s.  It was during this time that she met and married second husband, Walter Punko. They spent 20+ years together enjoying Badger and Packer games and living in Brookfield, WI.  When Wally passed away she continued to maintain her roots in that same city where they had both raised their children.

Throughout her life she was possessed of a beautiful singing voice and an unbelievable mental library of songs. She could break into song and perform everything from show tunes to hymns, all from memory. She also continued her love of writing poetry and short stories, and these musings will forever be enjoyed by her family and remind us of her bright spirit and love for all.

A memorial celebration will be held at approx. 10:15 AM on Sunday, October 28, 2018 following the usual Sunday service at Reformation Lutheran Church.  The family will provide refreshments, greetings, and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Wisconsin

https://www.alz.org/sewi

or the Reformation Lutheran Church of Brookfield

http://reformationlcbrookfield.org/

915 Adelmann Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53045.