Obituary for Betty Lou Zeidler

Betty Lou (Dudley) Zeidler peacefully passed on to eternal rest on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Wells Nature View on East 21st Street, Marshfield the age of 98, days short of turning 99.  She died of natural causes, with family members beside her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 201 W. Blodgett, Marshfield with Rev. Dan Thelen officiating.  Visitations for family and friends will be at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 10:30. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Marshfield.

Born in Marshfield in 1925, Betty grew up on the city’s Southside.  She attended the original Jefferson Elementary School and Marshfield High School.  Her family moved to Milwaukee for a short time during WWII where her father worked in a munitions plant and Betty attended beauty culture school.  After graduating from that program, she moved back home to Marshfield and later earned her manager’s license in Cosmetology.

After World War II, Betty met the love of her life, John Paul Zeidler Sr., also of Marshfield.  They were married in Marshfield at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on June 10, 1948. Together, they raised their four children on the Northside in Marshfield.  John preceded her in death on January 12, 1980.

As a cosmetologist, Betty worked at The D & M Salon, Jean’s Beauty Bar and Milady’s Salon.  When she was a young mother, she worked part-time at the Clover Cream Dairy Bar.  Betty was a founding member of the Heart ‘O Wisconsin Sweet Adeline Chapter in Marshfield. She looked forward to singing, competing, and selling cream puffs with “the girls,” but most of all, she enjoyed the lasting friendships that were made with them. She was also a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Choir and the Parish Council of Catholic Women.  She enjoyed picnicking, working in her flower garden, and knitting and crocheting keepsakes for family and friends.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought her much joy.  The key to Betty’s long life was a daily dose of chocolate and always remembering to save room for dessert.

It is Betty’s sweet nature and expansive love that will be remembered by all who knew her.

The family would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Wells Nature View and St. Croix Hospice Services for the dedicated care and support they gave to Betty and her family.

Betty is survived by her sister, Debara Lang, and her children:  John Paul (Kathleen) Zeidler Jr. of Marshfield, Michael (Kris) Zeidler of Wausau, Daniel (Mary Ann) Zeidler of Spencer and Jana Lu (Ransom) Johnson of Round Rock, TX.  She is additionally survived by her beloved seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Paul Zeidler Sr., her parents Carl and Viva (Whitney) Dudley, and her brothers Ronald Dudley of Marshfield and Robert Dudley of Wisconsin Rapids.

Memorials in Betty’s name may be designated to Wildwood Zoological Society, P.O. Box 523, Marshfield, WI, 54449 or Heart O’ Wisconsin Sweet Adelines, Heart O’ Wisconsin Chorus Joan Frericks, Financial Coordinator, 2503 S. Apple Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449                             Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.