• Memorial Visitation: Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9 am – 11 am at ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH (7809 Harwood Ave. Wauwatosa, WI).

• Memorial Service: Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11 am at ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH (7809 Harwood Ave. Wauwatosa, WI).

Betty J. Seidel

(nee Thesz)

On Sunday, November 2, Betty Jane Seidel was peacefully taken to be with her Lord and Savior eight days after her ninety-fifth birthday.

Betty was born October 25, 1930, in Milwaukee, the youngest of five children to John and Josephine (nee Deak) Thesz. As a young adult she became a child of God through baptism on September 26, 1953, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Betty grew up in the Bay View area and graduated from Bay View High School in 1948.

Betty’s love of music was evident as she played the violin in her high school orchestra, sang as a wedding soloist and was a member of several choirs including the Bay View Choraliers and the WI Telephone Company Chorus where she worked after high school.

She met Gene Seidel through friends. Betty was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on March 23, 1958, at Divinity Divine Charity in Whitefish Bay where she and Gene were married on June 14, 1958, just as electricians were finishing installing the lights of the new church addition.

Gene and Betty were blessed with two daughters, Susan and Joan. The family grew with Joan’s marriage to David “Dusty” Hohenstein, the arrival of grandsons Benjamin and Charles and Ben’s marriage to Angela Schmill.

The family joined St. John’s in Wauwatosa in 1963 and moved to the Chestnut St. house in 1968 to be closer to church. Many memories were made at this house with family and friends as she and Gene loved to entertain. Betty could cook up quite a spread! Betty enjoyed bowling, was a talented seamstress, and had several other hobbies but never learned how to ride a bicycle. She was social lady who enjoyed talking with friends and being involved. She served the Lord through many activities at church, St. John’s school, Wisconsin Lutheran High School Ladies Guild, Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS), Bargain Center volunteer and many other organizations.

Betty is survived by her daughters Susan Seidel and Joan Hohenstein, grandchildren Benjamin (Angela) Hohenstein, Charles Hohenstein, dear nieces, nephews, longtime friend, Nancy Elitzer, her favorite family member, Joan’s dog Ruckus, cherished friends at St. John’s and the entire Christian Church on earth.

She was preceded in death by her husband, son-in-law, her parents, in-laws Raymond and Esther (nee Last) Seidel, her siblings and their spouses Adam (Dorothy) Thesz, John (Doris) Thesz, Anna (Reuben) Frohmader and Josephine Hoover.

Even as we mourn Betty’s earthly departure, we rejoice at her entrance into heaven.

A memorial visitation will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9 am until the time of service at 11 am at ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH (7809 Harwood Ave. Wauwatosa, WI).

In lieu of flowers, please direct your gifts as memorials to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society (LWMS) or the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Tuition Assistance Fund or Christian ministry of your choice.

Blessed be her memory.

HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME

16880 W National Ave. New Berlin, WI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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