Betty Jean Dennison
October 07, 1943 - May 21, 2022
Obituary
STOUGHTON - Betty Jean Dennison, age 78, joined our heavenly Father on May 21, 2022.
Betty was born on Oct. 7, 1943, in Dodgeville, Wis., to Wilmer and Lucille (Fillback) Roum. She and her six siblings grew up on the family farm in Highland. After high school, Betty moved to Madison, where she met Kenneth Tjugum. They married in 1963 and had two children, David and Debra. In 1971, they lost 7-year-old, David, to a drowning accident and divorced. Betty kept her faith through that horrific time and remained strong to raise Debi. In 1982, she married Randy Dennison, who she lost to cancer 22 years later. In 2006, she retired from the State of Wisconsin, where she worked for 32 years.
Over the decades, Betty loved tending to her flower gardens, which always drew compliments from those passing by. She enjoyed camping, bowling, pitching horseshoes, as well as hanging out and traveling with family and friends. She especially liked time at the beach and in the mountains. Her grandchildren were close to her heart - she treasured their friendship and loved spending time with them. Recently, a great-grandson joined the family. She adored him and dreamt of him often.
In early 2018, Betty received the news she had Mixed Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia. Her resilience shown through, and she accepted the diagnosis. In early 2021, doctors discovered the Alzheimer’s had masked the primary diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies. In fall of 2021, Betty was diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer. Through all of this, she remained kind, thoughtful of others, optimistic, and faithful. While the relentless and unforgiving diseases of cancer and dementia consumed her body, and eventually her life, they could never reach her soul. She was a beautiful person throughout her entire life.
Survivors include her devoted daughter and son-in-law (whom she loved like a son), Debi and Jim Deegan; grandchildren, David Deegan, Jessica Deegan and Michelle (Ryan) Petty; great-grandson, Boone Petty; sisters, Pauline (Jeff) Kidd, Kathy (Dennis) Stepanek, Kris (Dick) Rathert, and Lucy (Tom) Williams; brother, Wilmer (Nona) Roum; mother-in-law, Jan Freye; brothers-in-law, Rick (Nancy) Freye and Dan Wolter; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, David Tjugum; parents; brother, Pat Roum; husband, Randy Dennison; father-in-law, Dick Freye; sisters-in-law, Karin Hughes and Dawn Scheuvront; nephew, Brian Pierick; and great-nephew, Preston Wolter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 323 North Van Buren St., Stoughton, on Friday, May 27, 2022, at 12 noon, with Father Randy Budnar presiding. A visitation will also be held at the church on Friday, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Burial will conclude at Roselawn Cemetery in Madison.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Betty’s name to Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org). Research is needed for this underdiagnosed disease.
Special thanks to the caregivers and staff at Kettle Park Senior Living. The attention, friendship and love given to Betty will never be forgotten and will always be treasured. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Stoughton
Funeral & Cremation Care
1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St.
(608) 873-4590