Paulanne Chelf

FITCHBURG-Paulanne Chelf, age 67, of Fitchburg, died on Monday, May 6, 2019, surrounded by her family at UW Hospital, due to complications of chemotherapy for breast cancer. She was born on July 16, 1951, in Niles, Mich., the daughter of Paul and Judy Chelf. Paulanne graduated from Mason High School in Michigan and attended Olivet College before receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Microbiology and Public Health from Michigan State University. In 1974, she met her future husband, Michael Betlach, sitting across from her in a seminar on Macromolecular Metabolism. She started 1978 by relocating to San Diego to work for Kelco. Michael had the good sense to follow her out West in 1979. He joined her in San Diego after two years spent commuting from San Francisco to share long weekends together. She took full advantage of the area…enjoying beach volleyball, softball, visits to Baja, the wine country, sailing, camping in the Sierras and the desert, and establishing a Sunday tradition of biking with Mike to brunch and the San Diego zoo from the house they shared in Kensington. They married on Jan. 22, 1983, in a park by the bay in San Diego, then moved to Boulder, Colo., for Michael’s career. The abrupt change was eased by rejoining close friends from grad school. Paulanne served as a research associate in Peter Albersheim’s lab in the CU Chemistry department, worked briefly for Coors Biotech, spent seven years in the algal biofuels program at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI, now NREL) in Golden, and then worked as a technical writer at Synergen. She maintained an active lifestyle, playing coed softball, taking up cross country skiing, hiking in the foothills and Colorado Rockies, touring the region, and quilting. She was blessed with two daughters, Elicia (in 1987) and Madeline (in 1991). The family moved to Madison in Feb. 1994. Paulanne found the perfect outlet for her outgoing personality, keen scientific mind, and attention to detail at WARF (Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation). She passed the Patent Bar and worked at WARF as an Intellectual Property Manager until the time of her death. She formed many close friendships with those she met professionally and socially. She played fast pitch women’s softball into her 50’s; joined a quilting group and made quilts for her daughters, nephews, nieces and many others; accompanied Madeline to numerous cheerleading competitions; and tried to keep up with cleaning from Elicia’s many Girl Scout adventures. Even as progressive hearing loss made it more difficult for her to understand conversation, she maintained her love for talking to anyone and everyone. She also enjoyed reading, traveling, getting together with friends, and working out at the Transformation Center with a group of fellow warriors, striving to be fit for an active, productive retirement. Paulanne was a source of strength and inspiration to all who knew her, and exhibited grace and dignity through difficult times. In 2012, she spent long weekends caring for her mom, terminally ill with lung cancer, before she was confronted with Madeline’s medulloblastoma diagnosis and surgery in August. Paulanne’s mom passed away in Sept., followed soon after by the death of Elicia. Despite it all, she was a rock for Madeline throughout her year+ treatment at UW Children’s Hospital. Following Elicia’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and subsequent death, Paulanne became an active fundraiser for the National MS Society. She spurred her friends and colleagues into action as well, encouraging them to join her on walks. She contributed to the UW Children’s Hospital and was an active member of WARF’s social action committee, supporting many local groups, including adopting a cow to provide milk for the Second Harvest food bank. Paulanne will be most remembered by her friends and colleagues for her indomitable spirit, quick wit, easy laugh, and stunning intellect. Always smiling, her boundless energy was an inspiration to many. She was selfless with her time, always available for questions, and could answer most of them off the top of her head. Her inner strength was palpable. Focused and determined, she was well respected by people whose respect is hard to earn. While Paulanne was good at most everything, her primary passion was her family. Mike, Elicia and Madeline were her world, and she delighted in sharing news of their adventures and accomplishments. Her joy in watching Madeline’s recovery was unparalleled. Anyone that knew her knew that she loved them all fiercely, as she would say “…to the moon and back.” Paulanne is survived by husband, Michael Betlach; daughter, Madeline Betlach; sister, Julane (Bernie) Himmelsbach; and two brothers, Christopher (Kim) Chelf and Scott (Julie) Chelf. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Elicia Rose Betlach; and her parents, Paul and Judy Chelf. A time of sharing will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Madison, at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of her Life until 2 p.m., on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Michael and Madeline thank the staff at UW Hospital’s Trauma and Life Support Center for the loving care they extended to Paulanne and the support they provided her family in honoring her final wishes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Road (608) 442-5002