Betty Brown

WAUNAKEE - Betty Ruth Brown, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at the Waunakee Manor. She was born on Feb. 15, 1926, in Racine, the daughter of Lawrence and Blanche (Jansa) Brown. The family moved to Madison when she was eight years old. Betty graduated from Central High School, then from the University of Wisconsin Law school in 1947, with high honors and second in her class. She was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar at age 21. After a year of graduate work, she joined an Eau Claire law firm. She practiced law in Eau Claire for several years, then joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as assistant chief of the criminal investigation division in Albuquerque, N.M. After the war, she joined the Madison Police Force where she earned a commendation for “alert intelligence” police work. She then began her career with state government service with the Department of Public Welfare before becoming an assistant attorney general. Her outstanding performance in these positions led to her being selected as Wisconsin’s first Solicitor General, the first person and woman to do so. At the time, it was one of the highest positions held by a woman in Wisconsin’s State Government. Betty is survived by her nieces and nephews, Linda Carmichael of Ashton, Lois (Brian) Strassburg of Middleton, Lora (Bill) Forrest of Token Creek, Virginia (Danny) Craig of Cottage Grove, Lawrence (Karen) Meinholz of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, Margaret Meinholz (Daniel) of Prairie du Sac, Betty Meinholz of Mercer, Donna (Mark) Quartana of Ashton and Andrew (Judy) Meinholz of Cross Plains; 18 great nieces and nephews; 23 great-great-nieces and nephews; and a great-great-great-niece and nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Joyce and brother-in-law, Jody Meinholz; her nephew, Eric Meinholz; great-nephew, Joel Strassburg; great-niece, Erica Hinman; a great-great-niece, Amanda Hinman; and a great-great-great-nephew, T.J. Hineman. A private family celebration of life will be held at SUNSET MEMORY GARDENS, 7302 Mineral Point Road, Madison, at 12 noon on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. A catered luncheon will follow, contact family for details. Betty was a lifelong Badgers football and basketball fan as well as an ardent Packer Backer. She loved to travel and visited all 50 states. Betty enjoyed the company of her many many Meinholz nieces and nephews and never missed an opportunity for a seat at the table when a game of five hundred or euchre was about to commence. Her unassuming and modest personality belied her remarkable intellect and outstanding professional accomplishments. She was a very special woman and a great role model. She will be dearly missed and we are so proud and honored to have known her. We loved her very much. Our sorrow at her loss is great. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761