OREGON - Betty J. Mennenga, age 78, of Oregon, Wis., passed away from cancer on Friday, March 31, 2023. She was born on Nov. 24, 1944, to Harold and Mirla Miller in Davis, Ill.

With her former husband, George Suess, she had three daughters. Her family expanded when she married Marshall Mennenga and became stepmom to two boys.

A farm girl in her youth, Betty ultimately chose the path of entrepreneur and with her husband, Marshall, built a successful tax and financial planning business in Madison, Wis. Together, Betty and Marshall celebrated their success by traveling the world and visiting 35 countries. Betty's favorite were her two trips to China. Later in their travel career, they treated their kids and grandkids to a European vacation, sharing their love of travel and seeing new places.

Betty and Marshall loved playing euchre and 500 with friends and family and made sure to have regular games lined up, evening during tax season. It was a great way to relax with friends.

Betty absolutely loved her ten grandchildren, no matter how or when they arrived in her life. They are a fun and interesting group and she treasured hearing about, and being a part of their lives.

One prevailing element of Betty's entire life was music. From playing French horn in high school, forming and leading a choir of her daughters and neighbor kids all the while they were growing up, playing music in church every Sunday, participating in handbell choir, to playing keyboard for the praise band, she instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of making music that continues today.

Aside from making music in church, Betty enjoyed her roles in church leadership over the years. She was an integral part of the success and growth of People's United Methodist Church.

Betty was the strongest woman we knew. She would tell you, "I just did what I needed to do."

Gone before Betty are her parents, Mirla and Harold Miller. She leaves a living legacy to her husband, Marshall Mennenga; children, Tony (Joanna) Mennenga, Angela (Les) Williams, Sherri (Doug) Liedberg, Lloyd (Kate) Mennenga and Tricia (Jason) Suess Charleston; grandchildren, Rachel (Mitch) Haveman, Noah Mennenga, Rebekah Mennenga, Jacob Willliams, Andrea Liedberg, Adam Mennenga, Jason Mennenga, Cassidy Charleston, Seth Charleston and Alex Charleston; sisters, Judy (Bill) Brady and Diane (Mike) Griffith; and brother, Dennis (Peggy) Miller.

A funeral service will be held at PEOPLE’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 103 N. Alpine Parkway, Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2023. A visitation will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2023, and also at People’s United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Betty’s name to the People's United Methodist Church Music Program. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Betty J Mennenga

November 24, 1944 - March 31, 2023

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