Betty Lou Woller
Betty Lou Woller of Stevens Point died at St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield on September 6, 2014 after a short illness. She was the wife of James D. Woller, who preceded her in 2011. The Wollers made their home in Stevens Point for over 50 years and were well known in the community.
Mrs. Woller was born in Negaunee, Michigan and moved to Marinette, Wisconsin in childhood. After graduating from Marinette High School at the top of her class, she studied at Northern Michigan University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Education. Subsequently, she received a Master of Arts degree in teaching.
A dedicated teacher, she began her career in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Subsequently she became director of the music program in Menominee, MI school system, directing both the high school choral program and the music program for grade-school students. She spent her last 29 years in education as a distinguished kindergarten teacher and principal in the Stevens Point school system. Among her many honors she received include the Honorary Citizen Award from Boys Town, the American Heart Association Schoolsite Program Award, and an Honor from the Department of Public Instruction.
Betty Lou and James Woller married in 1954 at St. Paul’s Church in Marinette. They were married for 57 happy years. They remained without children but treated their nephews and nieces as their children.
After marriage they moved to Appleton where she continued her teaching career. By 1960 Betty Lou and James were in residence on Indiana Avenue, Stevens Point, where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Betty Lou will be remembered for her kindness to all she met. She loved her students and was the kindergarten teacher to three generations of students. Her dedication to children was exemplary. Seldom did she appear in local shops and restaurants when someone didn’t appear and remark “Oh, Mrs. Woller, you were my kindergarten teacher,” or “Oh Mrs. Woller, you were my mother’s kindergarten teacher. You were the best teacher I ever had.” She was the family matriarch as Betty Lou served as “Big Sister” to her brothers and sisters after the early death of their father.
Betty Lou enjoyed music performance, singing, needlework, winter sports, and entertaining. She and Jim traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. She was past president of the American Association of University Women and the Church of the Intercession in Stevens Point. She and Jim also served as co-president of the Whiting Dance Club.
Survivors include her brothers Frank-Alsid De Charmbeau, Lakeville, CT, And Robert De Chambeau, Bellville, WI; brothers-in-law Richard (Mark Spoor), Lakeville, CT and David Weasler, Shawano, WI; Sister-in-law Gretchen Hayward, Bellville, WI, and numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephew and grand-nieces, scattered across the USA.
A Liturgy in Celebration of Betty Lou’s life will be celebrated at the Church of the Intercession in Stevens Point at 2:00 PM on Sunday September 14, 2014. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Intercession, Stevens Point, or Ministry Home Care/Hospice Services of Stevens Point, or to the Marshfield Clinic. Interment will be private.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com
Mrs. Woller was born in Negaunee, Michigan and moved to Marinette, Wisconsin in childhood. After graduating from Marinette High School at the top of her class, she studied at Northern Michigan University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Education. Subsequently, she received a Master of Arts degree in teaching.
A dedicated teacher, she began her career in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Subsequently she became director of the music program in Menominee, MI school system, directing both the high school choral program and the music program for grade-school students. She spent her last 29 years in education as a distinguished kindergarten teacher and principal in the Stevens Point school system. Among her many honors she received include the Honorary Citizen Award from Boys Town, the American Heart Association Schoolsite Program Award, and an Honor from the Department of Public Instruction.
Betty Lou and James Woller married in 1954 at St. Paul’s Church in Marinette. They were married for 57 happy years. They remained without children but treated their nephews and nieces as their children.
After marriage they moved to Appleton where she continued her teaching career. By 1960 Betty Lou and James were in residence on Indiana Avenue, Stevens Point, where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Betty Lou will be remembered for her kindness to all she met. She loved her students and was the kindergarten teacher to three generations of students. Her dedication to children was exemplary. Seldom did she appear in local shops and restaurants when someone didn’t appear and remark “Oh, Mrs. Woller, you were my kindergarten teacher,” or “Oh Mrs. Woller, you were my mother’s kindergarten teacher. You were the best teacher I ever had.” She was the family matriarch as Betty Lou served as “Big Sister” to her brothers and sisters after the early death of their father.
Betty Lou enjoyed music performance, singing, needlework, winter sports, and entertaining. She and Jim traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. She was past president of the American Association of University Women and the Church of the Intercession in Stevens Point. She and Jim also served as co-president of the Whiting Dance Club.
Survivors include her brothers Frank-Alsid De Charmbeau, Lakeville, CT, And Robert De Chambeau, Bellville, WI; brothers-in-law Richard (Mark Spoor), Lakeville, CT and David Weasler, Shawano, WI; Sister-in-law Gretchen Hayward, Bellville, WI, and numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephew and grand-nieces, scattered across the USA.
A Liturgy in Celebration of Betty Lou’s life will be celebrated at the Church of the Intercession in Stevens Point at 2:00 PM on Sunday September 14, 2014. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Intercession, Stevens Point, or Ministry Home Care/Hospice Services of Stevens Point, or to the Marshfield Clinic. Interment will be private.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com
