Obituaries

Betty Jean Ballenger, age 89, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in Madison, WI. She was born on July 26, 1934, to Robert and Esther (Dyrud) Ballenger in Elroy, WI.

Betty worked as a registered nurse for over 30 years at Madison General Hospital which is now Meriter Hospital. She was a diehard fan of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers and was very proud of her Wisconsin heritage.

Betty enjoyed crafting and participating in craft fairs throughout the Madison area. She also knitted more than 2,000 Christmas stockings for family and friends; these have become treasured parts of our holiday celebrations. She loved chewing gum, reading, and Betty always had a stack of People magazines to share.

Betty is survived by her nephews, Butch (Judy) Kahler, Mike (Tam) Kahler, Tom (Theresa St. Cin) of Chandler, AZ and Don (Polly) Kahler of Rockford, IL; great nephews and nieces, Matt, Lindsey, Emma, Kristi, Katie, Casey, Ross, Jacob, Allison, and their families; brother Carl (Marina) Ballenger. Barbara Lafferty and Carolyn Wright have been such special friends to Betty, especially over the past several years. The team at Oak Park Place Skilled Nursing Facility provided dedicated, compassionate care as well.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother Robert Ballenger; sister, Mary Kahler; brother-in-law, Richard Kahler; great niece, Jamaelyn; and her beloved dog, Packer.

A celebration of life will be planned for later this year; details will be added when finalized.

Memorials in Betty’s honor can be made to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin (https://www.secondharvestsw.org/) or Fetch Wisconsin Rescue (fetchwi.org/donate).

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N Sherman Ave

608-249-8257