Nee (Wimmer) passed into eternal life on January 5, 2021, after her short battle with Covid-19. Betty is survived by her sons Steve (Barb), Dave (Linda), Jeff (fiance’ Maggie Gantz) and Rick Feedar; grandchildren Eric, Evan (Kat), Liz (Josh), Emily (Damon), Jon and Jenna; great-grandchildren Chloe and Evelyn; sisters Mary (Len) and Patricia (Jerry) and brother Dave (Gail), also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Theodore and Agnes Wimmer, brothers; Raymond, Howard, Eugene, Edmund, Theodore, Robert, Donald, James, William, Thomas, and husband Everett Smith, and ex-husband Albert Feedar.
Born and raised on the family fox ranch in Medford, Wisconsin, Betty was the eldest girl in a family of fourteen children, which influenced her decision to pursue a career in nursing. After graduating from Holy Cross Academy, St. Joseph Nursing College in Merrill, Wisconsin, she worked as an obstetric nurse, then as a geriatric nurse at Mary Claire Nursing Home which she truly loved. Her final nursing position was an industrial nurse, aka “Medical Betty” at Miller Brewing Company. While retired in Florida, Betty gardened with a passion; growing rare tropical fruits, created hand-painted ceramics fired in her kiln, along with painting numerous wildlife and landscape artworks. She was an avid collector of anything that would fit in her pockets, purse, or backpack (especially rocks and seeds). She acquired a love of photography from her older brother Ray and created a cache of photos that any “collector” would be proud of. She volunteered many hours in the senior center using her nursing skills and donating her time and energy at her parish in a variety of ministerial roles – her favorite was teaching bible studies to children. Betty traveled to Rome to hear Pope John Paul II, worked several summers at the archeological site in Tel Safut, Jordan with her beloved brother Don then finally to relax in her spa where she had an adjoining aviary where she raised rare finches and lovebirds at her home in Florida.
She is dearly missed – not goodbye, but good night! Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there. I did not die.
The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice and the staff at Oak Hill Terrace for their care and concern for Betty.
Gathering at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church East, 5424 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208, from 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Private burial at Calvary Cemetery.
Masks are required for all attendees.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Betty, contributions are greatly appreciated to: St. Raphael Church, 2514 Lee Blvd, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 or, St. Vincent Pallotti Parish, 201 N. 76th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53213 or, Oak Hill Terrace, Attn: Bob Best, 1805 Kensington Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188.
