November 19, 2019 – West Bend, WI –Betty S. Stiles (nee Shrier), 88, of West Bend died Sunday, November 17, 2019 at Cedar Community, West Bend. Having been marked with the sign of faith in baptism we commend her to everlasting life.
She was born on May 21, 1931 to her parents in Washington DC. On December 12, 1953 she was united in marriage to Kenneth C. Stiles while stationed in Salzburg Austria.
Betty was a full-time Air Force officer’s wife moving to many places around the world while raising their three children. She enjoyed her hobby as a was a seamstress, often making clothes for the family or intricate dresses for parties at the officers’ club.
She had an entrepreneurial spirit and an insatiable love for learning. Early in her time in West Bend, where Ken and Betty settled after his retirement from the Air Force, Betty opened a Manpower office, a staffing agency, in town.
At the age of 50 she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Alverno College graduating in 1982 and soon after earned her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. She loved her career in teaching.
She taught for many years at Moraine Park and her students were a light in her life. Betty’s faith was very important to her and she relished her time with the St. Frances Cabrini church family. She sang in the resurrection choir, volunteered in the church office, and was involved in many events. Betty was a voracious reader. She always had a new murder mystery on hand and always passed them off to family and friends after she had enjoyed them. Betty especially enjoyed spending time with her family and all her grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Those Betty leaves behind to cherish her memory include her three children, Debby (David) Schumacher, Michael (Karen) Stiles, and Mary Stiles; six grandchildren, Emily (Greg) Schumacher-Novak, Katherine (Michael) Walzcak, Michael (fiancée Meggie Wojtowicz) Schumacher, Timothy (Kelsey) Schumacher, Staci (Stosh) Blaszkowski, and Kelli Schneider; and four great grandchildren, Jacob Novak, Benjamin Novak, Tessa Walzcak, and Nolan Walzcak; her sister-in-law, Antoinette Harris; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Elsie Shrier; her dear husband, Kenneth C. Stiles; her two brothers, Robert Shrier and Herbert Harris; and her sister JoAnn Tawney.
A Memorial Mass in remembrance of Betty will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 1 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic church, 1025 S. 7th St., West Bend. Burial to follow after Mass.
The family would like to thank the exceptional nurses and recreational staff at Cedar Community for all their help and care. Every day they do amazing work, most of it unseen by the world. We are incredibly grateful for all they do every day.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Betty’s name or to the family.
The Myrhum-Patten Funeral and Cremation Service have been entrusted with Betty’s arrangements.
