Obituaries

WATERTOWN/HELENVILLE – Betty Probst, age 88, passed away on Tuesday September 8, 2020 at The Legacy at Noel Manor in Verona. Betty was born to Henry and Leona (Pagenkopf) Tunak on March 9, 1932, in Oconomowoc. Baptized on March 20, 1932 and confirmed on April 14, 1946. Married on May 21, 1955 to Melvin “Bud” Probst at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc.

Though she never bragged about it, she studied hard and graduated as salutatorian from Oconomowoc High School. She then attended legal secretary school in Milwaukee and worked for a law firm until marrying Bud. She worked for H. Bert Miller Law Office before starting a family and again while her children were high school age. Bud’s insurance career took them to Plymouth, WI for 7 years, and then to Rockford, IL for 7 years. She continued to work as a legal secretary during both stops and closed out her career once again working part-time for Miller Law Office.

After retirement in 1994, Betty and Bud returned to Helenville and lived on the family farm. Her greatest joy was to plan and organize family gatherings. She maintained a lifelong friendship with a group of “girls” with whom she grew up and enjoyed “ladies’ lunch” for over 70 years to share family stories. She was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, volunteered her time with church activities and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a woman of strong faith and modeled that for her family and others no matter the setting.

Survived by her children Tim (Susan), Tom (Joy), Dave (Christi), Steve, and Kaye (Rob) Reichert; grandchildren Jacob (Kirsten), Micah (Stephanie), Malinda (Chris) Forsberg, Dillon (Lindsey), Jaclyn, Alison (Jake) Berry, Rachel, Jonathon, and Kyle Reichert; great-grandchildren Kayden, Emberlee, Levi, Gabriel, June, Ezra, Octavia and Finnia Forsberg; sister Donna (Ralph) Andrus; sister-in-law Beverly Melcher; brother-in-law’s Eugene (Jean), Mark (Cathy) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws Oscar and Margaret; sister-in-law Marion Roth; brother-in-law, Earl Roth; nephew Michael Roth; brother in-law Frank Melcher; infant daughter Janet; and grandson Benjamin.

A public visitation will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Helenville from 10AM until 11AM. A private family service will be held following the visitation. Burial at St Peter’s Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the devoted staff members of The Legacy at Noel Manor and Heartland Hospice for their care of Betty. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to St Peter’s Lutheran Church & School or the charity of one’s choice. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

Verona Chapel

220 Enterprise Drive

608845-6625