Betty A. Kraus, Emerald Grove, WI  (1927 - 2010)

August 27, 1927 - August 25, 2010
Betty A. Kraus, 82, of Emerald Grove, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at Mercy Manor Transition Center in Janesville. Betty was born on Aug. 27, 1927, in Whitewater, WI, the daughter of Elmer and Julia (Duckett) McCulloch. She grew up in the Whitewater area and graduated from Whitewater High School. She was formerly employed as a telephone operator in Whitewater and later in Milton. Betty married Robert M. Kraus on June 28, 1947. They moved to the Emerald Grove area in 1954, where they farmed for many years. Betty was a member of Emerald Grove Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), where she had served as a deacon, was the chairperson for funeral luncheons for many years, and was active in the Avalon Circle of the church. She was a member of the Emerald Grove Cemetery Auxiliary, a former 4-H leader, and was formerly active in the Bradford Community Club.
Surviving Betty Kraus are her husband of 63 years, Robert; five children: Dr. Bruce (Pamela) Kraus of Columbus, Laura (Michael) Rusch of Clinton, Connie (Ronald) Benisch of Fort Atkinson, Gary (Bj) Kraus of Janesville, and Victoria (Joseph) Marchese of Lake Wood, IL; 13 grandchildren: Rachel Innis, Nathan Kraus, Aaron Kraus, Nicole Huisheere, Jamie Rusch, Michael Kraus, Tim Kraus, Alan Murphy, Thomas Dillon, Jake Dillon, Nathan Rauen, Alexander Marchese, and Nicholas Marchese; one great-granddaughter, Juliana Innis; one sister, Gerry Wilcox; three brothers: Elmer McCulloch, Lawrence McCulloch, and David McCulloch; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters: Bev Kyle, Ida Schultz, Judy Douglas, and Jean Lusk; and one brother, Bob McCulloch.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30, 2010, at EMERALD GROVE CONGREGATIONAL UCC, 8127 Highway 14 East, Janesville, with Pastor Bill Weiss officiating. Private interment will be in Emerald Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 29, from 2 until 4 p.m. at HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 N. Wright Rd., Janesville, and at the CHURCH on Monday from 10 until 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Emerald Grove Congregational UCC.
Assisting the family is Henke-Clarson Funeral Home (608-741-1713).