Betty Kolb Carpenter
April 22, 1930 - December 16, 2019
Obituary
MADISON-Betty Kolb Carpenter, age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019.
Betty Elaine Napstad was born on April 22, 1930. She graduated from Madison East High School in 1948 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1952 with a degree in Physical Education.
While teaching Physical Education at Berlin High School in Wis., she met a local farmer and UW graduate, Quin E. Kolb. They were married in 1954 and settled in Madison. Quin was a UW Associate Professor of Meat and Animal Science. He passed away in 1976. The couple had three daughters.
Betty married Charles A. Carpenter in 1989. They celebrated a joyful union until his passing in 2004.
Betty had a deep affection for her church, Bethel Lutheran, volunteering many hours with the Bethel Thrift Shop and Estate Sale Group and supporting it’s programs, in particular, Bethel Horizons.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Karen (Robert B.) Pierce, Kristin (Daniel E.) Szumlas and Karla (Michael H. Barrier) Kolb; and three grandchildren. She is remembered by her family and friends as a devoted wife and mother, an excellent tennis player, cook and seamstress and a spirited competitor, whether it was board games, golf or bridge. Betty approached life, always, with joy, good humor and compassion.
All services will be private.
In Betty’s memory we invite you to help plant a tree through the Arbor Day Foundation.
The family expresses deep appreciation to the amazing staff at Heartland Hospice and Home Again.
A life well lived. A life full of joy.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
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Sue Reddan
Other •
Karen, Kristin and Karla, I am sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. I will always remember Betty just like the picture depicts her. Vibrant, smiling and always sweet. May your memories be of comfort in the days ahead-Sue Brick Reddan
ZD
Zelda M. Droster
Other •
All of us at Bethel Sales loved Betty. Always smiling and so sweet and thoughtful.. They did not come nicer than Betty. May God grant you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Zelda Droster
BM
Betsey McKinney
Other •
Betty was a long time friend and Mendota Hills neighbor. She assisted me with Brownies when our daughters were small and as a fellow member of Mendota Gardeners garden club. Her help and friendship was always welcome and I cherish the memories. My sympathy to Karen, Kristen, and Karla and I am glad she has found peace in God’s heaven.
Betsey MCKINNEY
CW
Carol Yost Walsh
Other •
I loved Betty and have sweet memories of her...especially at this time of year. She crocheted beautiful ornaments for us for our Christmas tree. She also made thoughtful potholders out of clothing I wore when I was pregnant. Always smiling and cheerful, upbeat and kind and so creative with the wonderful gifts she gave. Sending love to Karen, Kris and Karla. She was a spectacular woman.
KM
Kathy Kolb Murtfeldt
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To my dear cousins Karen, Kristin and Karla, I send our sincere condolences for the loss of your Mother Betty. Betty and Quin were great relatives to the young Suckow kids. The lake cabin at Green Lake provided many memories of running down the hill and jumping into the lake. Betty hosted many picnics, birthday parties and sleepovers. We caught fire flies and gazed at the star lite sky. During my years at UW, your parents provided a home away from home when things got a little overwhelming or I was homesick. Home cooked meals or help sewing a formal, Betty was there with a smiling face and helpful hand. This week when I got out the hand knit Christmas stockings that Betty made for each of us, I shed a few tears. She touched each one of our lives and made them better. I will miss her. I love you dear Aunt Betty. Kathy Kolb Murtfeldt
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Steve Bentin
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I can truly say that Betty changed my life. After mysteriously arranging for me to be hired as the girls' tennis coach at East High in the late '70's and because I knew next to nothing about tennis, Betty took me under her wing and taught me about the game and how to coach it. The many hours standing next to her and listening are times I have never forgotten. Because of the tennis coaching job, I was hired to be the girls' basketball coach at East beginning a coaching career in that sport that eventually took me to the junior college level. It all started with Betty. I wish I would have stayed in closer touch with her and Karen, Kris and Karla over the years. We still have the very special blankets she made for our babies when they were born.
If the impact she had on me is any indication, Betty was a woman who didn't just pass through this life but always strived to make it better for all she touched. It was a privilege to know her.