Betty Zurbuchen

Betty Jeanette Zurbuchen, 100, of Fond du Lac, formally of Waupun, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 26, 2024 at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac. 

Betty was born March 29, 1924 in the Town of Trenton (Fox Lake), Wisconsin, the daughter of Elmer and Lillian Schmidt Lidtke. After the loss of her mother at a very young age, she and her three sisters formed a very special life-long bond. Betty attended Fox Lake schools, graduating in 1942. After obtaining her teaching degree from the Dodge County Teacher College, Betty taught eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse. On October 27, 1945 she married Fred (Fritz) Zurbuchen in Trenton, New Jersey while he was on furlough. They were married for 73 years and lived in Waupun for 63 of those years. Betty taught at Waupun Area Preschool until she retired. She loved her church and was a very active member volunteering her time and talents. After retirement, Betty and Fred spent winters in Arizona, and enjoyed many travels, especially the trips they took to Switzerland with family. During retirement the couple volunteered for many organizations including Pella Lutheran Church, Meals on Wheels, and Bethesda to name a few. 

To anyone who knew Betty, it was obvious that she lived her faith and loved her family above all. 

Betty is survived by her three children: Diane Pevonka, Scott (Luann) Zurbuchen, and Merri Smith; seven grandchildren: Andrew (Holly) Pevonka, Luke Zurbuchen, Bethany (Barry) Rusch, Casey (Kristi) Zurbuchen, Kathryn (Drew) Stalnaker, Abbey Smith, and Jesse Smith; and seven great-grandchildren: Ava Rusch, Miles Rusch, Zayne Zurbuchen, Maveric Zurbuchen, Nox Zurbuchen, Benjamin Stalnaker, and Anna Stalnaker. 

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Zurbuchen; a granddaughter, Erica Zurbuchen; two sons-in-law: Jerry Pevonka and David Smith; three sisters: Marion Gibbs, Marjory Schmidt, and Arlene Schwartz; and an infant brother, John Lidtke.

Funeral services for Betty Zurbuchen will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Pella Lutheran Church in Waupun with Pastor David Knuth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park in Fox Lake. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

A special thanks to Hospice Home of Hope for their loving and amazing care of Betty. 

Memorials can be directed to Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac or Pella Lutheran Church in Waupun.