Betty Pusheck

Betty Ann Pusheck, 89, Wausau, died Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Forest Park Village in her sleep.

Betty was born July 28, 1931 in Wausau, Wisconsin to the late Herbert and Anna (Prochnow) Hoppe.  She grew up in Wausau, WI.  She graduated from Wausau High School in 1950.  Betty and Bill met while roller skating at the Rothschild Pavilion.  Betty married Bill Pusheck on May 14, 1960 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church.  The couple were blessed with three sons: Robert, Benjamin and Bernard.  Betty’s career consisted of working for Wausau Insurance for over 20 years. We imagine as you read this that Betty has been reunited with Bill and they are once again, skate dancing together.

Betty was a woman of many words and loved to share a story with friends and family.  Being a lifelong member at St. Stephen Lutheran Church meant more than just attending the weekly service.  Some of those activities included making many quilts that went throughout the world, serving communion, helping in the kitchen for events and taking in national conventions when possible.  In her spare time, she liked to knit various items like mittens, hats and blankets.  When her own three sons got older, she helped take care of a few younger neighborhood children.  Once the snow melted from the chilly Wausau winters and spring was in the air, she would turn on the local television station to watch the Milwaukee Brewers.  When her kids were younger, she would ride her bicycle with them to Bluegill Park, into Wausau so they could get an ice cream treat and other times just to go pick and eat fresh berries around Rib Mountain. Maybe that is why she loved fresh fruit, but especially blueberries later on in life.  In retirement, Betty found time to volunteer at the hospital to give back to the community and traveled with her husband Bill throughout the lower United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

Betty is survived by her three loving sons, Robert (Tammi) of Colorado, Benjamin (Barbara) of Michigan and Bernard (Deedee Mader) of South Carolina; grandchildren, Katrina (fiancé, Jesse Diaz) Jamie, Ann (Larry Wostenberg) Pusheck, Thomas Pusheck, Jacob (Hannah) Pusheck, Matthew Pusheck, Emily Pusheck, Ellie Pusheck and Daniel Pusheck; great-granddaughter, Brianna; sisters, Elaine Hoppe, Mary Borchardt and Nancy Scott; brother, Jerry (Elaine) Hoppe; sister-in-law, Jeanette (Ivan) Gruetzmacher of New London, WI; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Audrey Hoppe and Carol Kemna.

There will be a private family funeral service for Betty officiated by Pastor Jen Hoffman.  The service will be livestreamed at helke.com on Betty’s obituary page beginning at 2:15 PM on Tuesday.  The public is welcome to visit with the family from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Helke Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.  Betty will be entombed at Restlawn Mausoleum, Town of Texas.  Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign the family guestbook at helke.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Stephen Lutheran Church (512 McClellan Street, Wausau, WI 54403).

Sincere appreciation goes to the nurses and staff of Forest Park Village Gardens, for many years of support.