Elizabeth Mary Wilson

Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Plymouth Congregational Church, Oshkosh, for Elizabeth Betty Mary Wilson, 97, who died Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. A longtime Oshkosh resident and the oldest member of her church, Betty devoted her life to serving others through her teaching profession, volunteer work, and dedication to her family. Born in Racine on March 26, 1919, Betty moved to Oshkosh when she was 5 and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1936 and Oshkosh State Teachers College in 1940. She worked in the college library and taught in the Oshkosh Public School District following graduation. On June 19, 1942, Betty married Neil James Wilson and the couple moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., after Neil was drafted to serve in World War II. Betty served as assistant to the captain in charge of the officers personnel office at the fort while Neil played trombone in the forts Army band. Bettys family often has joked that America won the war, thanks to General Betty. After returning to Oshkosh, Betty resumed her teaching career and taught at such elementary schools as Lincoln, Merrill, South Park, Oakwood, and Smith. She retired from teaching in 1981 and then volunteered at the Oshkosh Public Museum, Paine Arboretum, and Oshkosh Public Library. She earned over 10,000 hours as a volunteer at Mercy Medical Center. She also served as president of the Retired Teachers Association and as president of Mercy Medical Auxiliary. When her children were growing up, she served as a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girl leader and Sunday school teacher. She was a longtime contributor to her church, serving in many capacities, including as treasurer with her husband and as an active participant in the Womens Society. Betty enjoyed playing bridge with several long-standing bridge groups. She visited most of the 50 states, as well as much of Europe, and loved to travel. She enjoyed reading, had a knack for fixing things, and could polish off the daily crossword puzzle and daily jumble in just a few minutes each morning. She was a formidable Scrabble competitor. Her husband, Neil, preceded her in death in 1991. She is survived by her son James of Oshkosh and daughter Margo of Monessen, Pa., as well as by her grandchildren Nathan (Robin), Alex, and Samantha Clark (Tyler), all of Oshkosh; and her great-grandchildren: Destiney, Noah, Katie, and Eloise, all of Oshkosh.Visitation is from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1325 Georgia St., Oshkosh, with services at 11 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Rick Hopkins officiating. A lunch at the church follows the service. Interment is at Peace Lutheran Cemetery, 100 W. Waukau Road, Oshkosh.

Plymouth Congregational Church



1325 Georgia Street
Oshkosh
WI
54902

00:00.0
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.



Plymouth Congregational Church

Funeral service

1325 Georgia Street
Oshkosh
WI
54902

00:00.0
11:00 a.m.



Peace Lutheran Cemetery



Waukau Ave
Oshkosh
WI
54902