Betty J. Pruefer

Betty J. Pruefer, 101 of Jefferson, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Alden Estates of Jefferson.

Betty was born on May 19, 1918 in Fort Atkinson, the daughter of Harry and Esther (Wilde) Foster.  Her parents were killed in a train accident when Betty was 8 and her sister Harriet was 3.  The 2 girls went to live with and were raised by their Aunt Gertrude Foster.  Betty was a 1935 graduate of Jefferson High School and attended 1 year at North Central College of Naperville, IL.  On October 31, 1936, Betty married Alvin Pruefer, Sr. and the couple had 3 children, all of which were raised in Jefferson and graduated from Jefferson High School.  Betty and Al owned and operated various retail store in the area and enjoyed 38 years of marriage until his death in 1975.  Betty loved sacred music and singing praises to her Lord.  She sang in the Evangelical United Brethren and the Immanuel United Methodist Church for 50 years as a soloist for weddings and funerals in her younger years.  She directed the Immanuel choir for 26 years.  She was a devoted and very active member of Immanuel United Methodist Church of Jefferson. She served with the IUM Women, Ruth’s Circle, Wesley Sunday School, the Prayer and Bible Study, and the Worship Committee.  She originated and directed the Christian Faith Singers (an interdenominational choir), singing since 1976.  Betty was devoted to her Lord and Savior, her family and friend.  She will be deeply missed.

Betty is survived by: her children Donald (Sandra) Pruefer of Campbellsport, Cynthia Shanklin of Stoughton, and Alvin (Karen) Pruefer Jr. of Waukesha; 11 grandchildren Debra, Donald Jr. (Karla), Michael “Mickey” (Beth), Peter (Anna), David (Linda), Marijane (Dennis), Todd (Tammy), Brent, Julie (Josh), Mandy (John), and Jeff (Tamila); 39 great-grandchildren; 18 great, great-grandchildren; and her godson Carl Pruefer Jr. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, aunt Gertrude, her husband, great-grandson David Jr., sister Harriet Pruefer, son-in-law David Shanklin, grandson-in-law Kenneth Hall, and dear friend Vi Schafer.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at Immanuel United Methodist Church of Jefferson with Pastor Kellen Roggenbuck and Rev. Nancy Carmichael-Stoner presiding.  Visitation will be on Monday from 4:00PM – 7:00PM at the Olsen-Gibson Funeral Home of Jefferson, and on Tuesday from 10:00AM until the service at the church.  Betty will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery of Jefferson following the service.

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