Betty A White

Betty A. White had an infectious laugh, sparkling blue eyes, and endless energy to help others. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a family with three brothers (Johnny, Victor, and Willy) and two sisters (Bessie and Gloria) with parents who immigrated from Czechoslovakia in 1907 (Bozena Navratil) and 1908 (Jan Klabouch). Betty was inseparable from her Czech heritage. She spoke only Czech in early grade school, participated in weekly Sokol training (gymnastics organization founded in Prague) in high school, helped with her father’s weekly Czech newspaper and radio program in Milwaukee, traveled across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary in 1948 to meet relatives in Czechoslovakia for the first time, prepared traditional Czech meals and passed on Czech family recipes learned from her mother, taught Czech folk songs and dances to family and local groups, and returned to visit valued family and friends in the Czech Republic multiple times.

Betty graduated from UW-Madison with an undergraduate degree in social work, a Master’s degree in education, and went on to earn a Reading Specialist certification. At the university, she met Keith White, her husband, and together in 2023 they celebrated 73 years of marriage built on love, respect, kindness, patience, and good humor. Betty and Keith traveled throughout the world (several times to Europe as well as trips to Kenya, Tanzania, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru), and lived in four additional states (Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and California) and four cities in Wisconsin (Horicon, Madison, Manitowoc, and Green Bay).

Betty was passionate about her husband, children, and relatives; politics; helping others; the color purple; and folkdancing. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, always ready to listen, sympathize, and find a way to help make things better. She spent long hours canvassing and volunteering for political candidates and causes calling for peace, understanding, and protecting the environment, and to assist children, the sick, and the underprivileged. Betty worked for the public-school systems in Ripon, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and Green Bay helping children learn the joys of reading. Her students knew her fondly as Mrs. Purple, describing the only color she wore for 50 years. Betty founded the Bayland Folkdancers and led monthly folkdance sessions on the UW-Green Bay campus for 20 years. She then joined the International Folkdancers of the Fox Valley where she led and learned folk dances among dear friends. She also played the piano beautifully and would often accompany singalongs with family and friends. Among her favorite songs were “Those Were the Days” and Czech folk songs.

Betty passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, surrounded by family. She is survived by her husband, five children (Sayward (Mike); Starker; Robin (John); Dana (Steve) and Paula (Dan)), six grandchildren (Scotia (Kaleb); Alexandra (Scott); Haana, Crystal; Cliff (Kate) and Luke (Whitney)); five great-grandchildren (Azalea, Neil, Echo, Isaac, and Wilder); two nieces (Holly (Don) and Vicki (Scott)), two nephews (Bret (Jill) and Kyle (Terri)); and four great nephews (Dane (Carly), Reed, Seth, and Evan).

The family will not be holding a formal service.

For memorial donations in Betty's name (in lieu of flowers), please consider the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).