Elizabeth Emma “Betty” Soman age 99 years of Dodgeville, WI, formerly of Montfort and Green Bay, WI passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2014.
Betty was born October 10, 1914 in Algoma, Wisconsin, the daughter of Fred and Emma (Leiberg) Wedewart. She graduated in 1930 from Green Bay’s West High School, attended Business College in Green Bay, and worked in sales and accounting for Kaap’s Bakery and Candy Shop in downtown Green Bay.
In 1937 Betty spent three months traveling via Route 66 with her aunt and cousin as they toured the Southern and Western United States, and wintered in Pasadena, California. It inspired a lifelong love of travel.
In 1941 she was united in marriage to Walter C. Soman in Green Bay where he worked with Findisen -Greiser Funeral Home. In 1959 she and Walter purchased the Hannan Funeral Home and Furniture Stores in Livingston and Montfort WI. Betty was an integral part of Soman Furniture Store and Funeral Home for over 40 years. After her sons took over the businesses she continued to work until retiring at age 84.
Betty was an avid lifelong baseball fan, listening to the Chicago Cubs games on the radio as a child, and then adding the Milwaukee Braves, and now the Milwaukee Brewers as her favorite teams. She also loved music and served as church organist and pianist for nearly 50 years.
Betty resided at CrestRidge Assisted Living from December 2003 to July 2010, when she moved to Upland Hills Nursing and Rehab Center.
Her bright smile, positive attitude and strong faith endeared her to those around her. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.
Preceding her in death are her husband, Walter Soman (Sept. 1990); grandson, Bruce Soman (April, 2013); parents, Fred and Emma; brother John Wedewart and infant sister Arlene.
She is survived by her 5 sons and 1 daughter, John (Sharon) of Verona, WI, Fred (Nancy) of Eden Prairie, MN, Jim (Jane) of Fennimore, WI, Bill (Jean) of Pinecrest, FL, Dan (Kitty) of Livingston, WI and Sara (Ron) Flack of Owatonna, MN.
Also survived by 15 grandchildren, Kim Deatherage (Mike), Pam Soman (David Corry), Mike Soman (Heather), Dave Soman (Mandy), Brenda Van Dixhorn (Tim), Becky Burkholder (Dion), Ben Soman (Noel), Pete Soman (Erin), Jill Reiter (Jack), Jennifer Soman (Andres Dereser), Chris Schmick (Brian), Carrie Laufenberg (John), Melissa Sayler (RC, III), Elizabeth Baller (Craig) and Caralyn Flack (Zach Anderson) and many great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday August 31, 2014 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort with burial to follow in the Rock Church Cemetery, rural Livingston. Pastor Greg Marsh of the Livingston Free Methodist Church will be officiating. A visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 P.M. on Saturday August 30, 2014 at the funeral home in Montfort and from 12:30 P.M. until the time of service on Sunday afternoon. In lieu of plants and flowers a memorial fund is being established in loving memory of Betty E.Soman.