Betty Porter
August 09, 1930 - May 25, 2020
Obituary
MADISON-Betty (Sauk) Porter, aka, "BETS", age 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2020, at Madison Pointe Senior Living. She was born on Aug. 9, 1930, to Charles and Mabel Sauk, the first of nine children. Betty attended Edgewood High School and graduated from East High School, Class of 1948. She retired from the State of Wisconsin after 40+ years, holding many positions as a Supervisor, Systems Analyst, among others.
Betty lived the majority of her life in Madison, Wis., but spent 13 years in Holiday, Fla., enjoying everything retirement had to offer. She loved dancing, country music, Green Bay Packers (Brett Favre), sales shopping, Scrabble, Bingo, casinos, crossword puzzles, and drinking beer. She was never shy about expressing exactly what she thought, "F" bombs flying everywhere. Mom could be stubborn, which she justified by two things, being Norwegian, and being born a "Leo".
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Tommy; sisters, Helen Ruth and Joanne Breese; husband, Roy Porter; brothers-in-law, Donald (Carol) Conway and Roger (Mary) Calo; and sisters-in-law, Debbie (Mike) Sauk and Mary Kay (David) Sauk.
Betty is survived by her five children, Donna (Bruce) Skaro, Sue (Jeff) Gerbitz, Mary Jane (Hamsa) Ripp, Herschel (Holly) Porter and Chris (Keisha) Porter; sisters, Carol Conway, Mary Calo and Dianne (Jim) Wylesky; brothers, David (Pat) Sauk and Michael Sauk; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and many special cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A private burial for immediate family will be held at NORWAY GROVE CEMETERY, Deforest. Please wear bright colors, as mom loved bright and cheery.
A celebration of her life will be held at NORA’S TAVERN, 1843 U.S. Highway 12 & 18, Deerfield, Wis., from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021.
A special thank you to Madison Pointe Senior Living and Agrace HospiceCare for taking such good care of mom. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Celebration of Life
Sat Aug 14, 2021 @ 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM CDT
Nora's Tavern • 1843 U.S. Highway 12 & 18, Deerfield, WI null
Photos
No photos of Betty have been shared yet.
Memories
CP
Christopher Charles Porter
Other •
Mom almost always sang"you are my sunshine" to me on my birthday. My life will never be the same. She would be mad as h e double toothpicks if she knew i was sad, so keep it a secret! I love you forever mom, you are my sunshine!
FB
Felicia Brown-Davis
Other •
I officially never met you in person..but all the stories I heard from your #bestie..grandaughter..I kniw you were a great Lady R.I.P..ill. Definitely miss the Casino stories.Keeping the Carter family in my prayers
NS
Nancy Seeley
Other •
A fond farewell to my former boss and longtime friend Betty. The memories of our working time together at the Department of Health & Social Services are a combination of pretty darn good problem-solving efforts...and many rollicking good after-work happy hours at some favorite local watering holes. The visits Nicky and I made to Holiday, FL when you were living there always make me smile. There's a picture of Nick and me standing next to "Nelly 3" -- that wonderful 1989 Crown Vic we bought from you in 2003 with 158,001 miles on her -- which has pride of place on a wall in our Mazatlan, Mexico apartment. Had we been down on our luck, we could have lived in that vehicle!! What a special friendship we shared: You were "Cackle," and I was "Cluck" -- monikers bestowed on us by DHSS co-workers who were used to seeing us deep in conversation that often erupted into laughter. Vaya con dios, Amiga!!
MR
Mary Robbins
Other •
Ah Betty, I will miss our monthly blue hair dinners! I will miss you always, the lady in purple shocking our servers with your biker chick tongue! Loved reminiscing with you about the fun we had and the beers (sometimes too many) we shared! Fly free my friend, I will always smile when remembering you.
PD
Patricia Duffy
Other •
I am deeply saddened at losing you, my "forever" friend, but more I am grateful for having had you in my life. For almost 60 years we worked and played together, lifted more than a few "cold ones" and shared our life experiences with "can you top this!".
You were my mentor, support through bad times, confidant and best friend. We could come together even after months of absence without skipping a beat. My sympathy to your family along with your many, many friends. I am missing you already. See you on the Other Side. Pat (Best) Duffy
MH
Mary Helmke
Other •
I am so sorry for your loss. I didn't get to know Betty really well, I had not lived at Meadow Grove all that long prior to her moving, but I did get to meet her and chat with her some. She was a trip! From her cute wig, to the sparkly earrings to the snazzy socks! And she was not shy about sharing an opinion - I loved it!
When she told me she and her honey had been bikers, it didn't surprise me one bit, having been with some in my time.
They just don't make them like her any more. She adored her girls so much - daughters and grands! She was so grateful for all they did. Whenever I would see her, if she wasn't in a hurry to get to the casino, she would chat with me and tell me what one or more of her girls did recently and her eyes would sparkle.
Again, I am so sorry for your family and her many many friends. But I am sure she is having a blast pulling a jackpot, toasting her life and riding on a really righteous bike! Mary Helmke