Obituaries

Windsor – Betsy Jane Schulte, age 76, passed away peacefully, after a short battle with cancer, on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. She was born in Milwaukee, WI, on March 7, 1948, the daughter of Warren and Nancy (Rank) Bennett.

Betsy was involved in many ways in music her whole life. She was a member of the Woodside Grade School chorus in Brookfield, Wi. as well as the Brookfield East High School Choir where she graduated in 1966. She went on to attend the University of Wisconsin where she performed with the “UW Singers” Choral group(known now as “Friends of Wisconsin Singers”).Betsy graduated in 1970 with a double major and Degrees in Physical Education and Music Education. She continued her education, completing her work for her Master’s degree in Music Education.

While in college in 1969 Betsy entered and won the Miss Madison Pageant. She went on as a contestant in the Miss Wisconsin Pageant winning the Miss Congeniality Award, an award voted on by her fellow contestants.During that time she met the love of her life Richard “Dick” Schulte. They were married on August 29, 1970, at St. Edmond Episcopal Church in Milwaukee.

After graduation and marriage Betsy became an elementary teacher at McFarland Elementary School. She taught Music for kindergarten through third graders, including a class of Special Educcation children, and started up a four year old program . In 1978 Dick's company moved them to Milwaukee. Betsy joined

Young Audiences of Wisconsin as Executive Director. YA of Wisconsin is an organzation that places music and dance groups for performances in elementary schools. In her six years at the organization, she grew the number of performers from six to eighteen.

In 1985, Dick and Betsy moved back to Windsor. In the 1986 local election of the Town of Windsor, Betsy successfully ran for a Town Board seat, serving six years on the Board. In 1989 she ,along with three other Windsor residents,were instrumental in creating a Lake District for Lake Windsor which helped to save the lake. Betsy was chairman of the Lake District for over 20 years until her retirement.

Betsy is survived by her husband, Dick Schulte; her brother, Scott Bennett; sister-in-law, Suellen Biever; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The family would like to thank the staff at Agrace Hospice for all the care they provided for Betsy in her final days. Enough cannot be said for the dedication of Agrace employees for the comfort and care of their residents including Home Hospice staff.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in Betsy’s name to the UW Carbone Cancer Center or the Friends of Wisconsin Singers,PO Box 93, Waunakee, WI 53597

A private celebration of Betsy’s life will be held at a later date. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Windsor/DeForest Chapel

6924 Lake Road

608-846-4250