Obituaries

Betty J. Schuchardt, age 91, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at All Saints Assisted Living in Madison. She was born on December 2, 1933, in Madison, the youngest daughter of Carl and Florence (Meyers) Schuchardt. Betty was a proud graduate of St. James Catholic School and Edgewood High School. She went on to earn both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She retired in 1994 after 32 years of Federal service with various agencies, including the VA Hospital, US Armed Forces Institute, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Church and family were the focal points of Betty’s life. A life-long member of St. James Catholic Church, Betty lived her life by putting her faith in action. Betty served on the church’s parish council and was actively involved in the annual St. James Fall Festival. Following in the footsteps of her brother Emmett, Betty took the lead role in organizing the preparation of the famous St. James hand-rolled pfeffernuesse cookies. She served as president of the National Catholic Society of Foresters – St. Cecilia Court #955, leading the group’s charitable efforts. She guided the parish’s prayer network, distributed the Holy Eucharist to the homebound, and lovingly provided transportation to church and medical appointments for friends and neighbors.

Betty was the heart of the Schuchardt family. She was the glue which kept her siblings and their families closely connected. She loved her home, the same home in which Betty grew up, and she was proud that it served as the central hub where family and friends would stop by to share updates from their lives. Whether it was sharing ice cream on the front steps or being served “Aunt Betty’s special chicken”, her nieces and nephews share so many special memories of their visits to Betty on Cedar Street.

Having visited six of the seven continents, Betty will also be remembered for her love of travel. Her adventurous spirit and zest for learning about different cultures was truly inspiring.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Phyllis Schuchardt, Florence Huffer and Isabelle Dressel; brothers Emmett, Paul, Carl and Albert Schuchardt; numerous in-laws; niece Susan Schuchardt Cleve; and nephew Terry Schuchardt. She is survived by 27 nieces and nephews who will deeply miss her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish - St. James Catholic Church, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, with Father Drew Olson officiating. The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. at the church with visitation to follow until the time of the Mass. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the St. Mary’s Hospital 8th Floor nurses; the nurses and staff of All Saints Assisted Living; and the associates of Agrace Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Betty and her family. Memorials may be made to the St. James School Endowment Fund.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000