DeForest-

Betty Jean Bader, age 97, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Legacy of DeForest. She was born on January 8, 1928, in Rushville, Illinois, the daughter of Alva and Freeda (Montooth) Roudebush. Betty was united in marriage to Harold Bader on December 6, 1947, in Galesburg, Illinois. Betty and Harold moved to Wisconsin in the late 1950’s. She retired from Clack Corporation after many years of service in the clerical/accounting department.

Betty loved flower gardening, feeding and watching the birds, sewing, traveling in their RV, waterskiing and most especially spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Sara (Jeff) Hemp; son-in-law, Don Gentile; grandchildren: Serena (Dave) Staveness, Jason (Tammie) Bader, Dawn (Pat) Schott, Heath Bader, Kim (Geoff) Neboska, Jeff (Krissy) Gentile, Crystal (Fred) Pester; great-grandchildren, Dustin (Elizabeth) Bader, Cody Schott, Kayla Staveness, Wyatt Pester, Logan Neboska, Austin Gentile, Anna Laura Pester and Tyler Gentile.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; son, Steven Bader; and daughter, Debra Gentile.

A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Ryan Funeral Home, DeForest. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Bader Christian Church, Bader, Illinois. Visitation will also be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the church. Burial will follow at Bader Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Legacy of DeForest and Brighton Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Betty in her last days.

To view Betty’s obituary, or to leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Betty Bader

January 08, 1928 - August 26, 2025

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