Betty Lou Elizabeth Mathison

STOUGHTON - Early in the morning of January 26, 2026, Betty Lou Elizabeth Mathison, age 87, of Stoughton, WI, passed away peacefully in her sleep. Betty was born in Madison, WI, on August 9, 1938, to Roland Carl and Marie Lucille (Koch) Kaether.

Betty grew up on the east side of Madison, WI, in the Hawthorne neighborhood. She attended East Madison High School, then transferred to Poynette High School and graduated in 1957. Betty was very athletic in high school. She continued that athleticism by participating in and enjoying fast pitched softball on various leagues.

Betty was always a hard worker. She farmed with her husband, Loren, for many years. She worked as a business manager, primarily in HR, for a variety of businesses.  She taught her family a valuable lesson, to do your own research and question everything. Betty did not take things at face value, which stood her in good stead throughout her life. She also taught her family to not give up, and to fight for what is right.

Most memories of Betty Mathison start with her cooking. She was an incredible cook who learned the art from her mom and aunt. She loved hosting the family at large Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. She enjoyed cooking on the farm, especially at harvest time. She also loved hosting family and friends at their lake house.  One of her favorite things was to feed good food to people who enjoyed eating.

Betty was extremely good at the arts. She loved to paint, and has four of her paintings displayed at Skaalen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Stoughton, WI. She created beautiful flower arrangements for all the places that she lived, including the skilled nursing home towards the end of her life. She enjoyed sketching, needlepoint, crocheting, and embroidery.

Betty felt a sincere desire to speak up for those who didn’t have the power or the voice to speak for themselves. She used her spicy personality and strong will to advocate for others. She volunteered at hospice in her younger years. And continued her advocacy for the other residents of the nursing home.

Betty was a big animal lover, and contributed to organizations that supported that focus. She especially loved dogs, particularly her own.

Betty did not want a funeral or visitation. She believed that visits should take place with the living rather than the dead. She will be buried at Roselawn Memorial Park, next to her father, at a future date.

Betty is survived by three sons, Steve (Connie) Mathison of Greenville, SC, David (Connie) Mathison of Oregon, WI, and Randall (Kim) Mathison of Newport Center, VT; and one additional daughter-in-law, Dawn Houthuizen of Stoughton, WI. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Steven (Scott Medford) Mathison, Jaime (Scott) Stoltz, Amanda (Curtis) Wilson and Garrett (Christopher John) Mathison; and four great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, numerous other family, and devoted friends including a special friend, Nicole Genz, who helped her in the last few years of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both of her former husbands, Robert Garth Hewitt and Loren Leroy Mathison; two of her children, Robyn Lantagne and Russell Mathison; and her brothers, David Kaether and Ronald Kaether.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Skaalen Home for their excellent care of our mother, especially Maggie. In memory of Betty, donations may be made to your local humane society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590