Elizabeth "Betty" Pieters

Elizabeth, “Betty” Pieters passed away December 12, 2016 at Unity Hospice in De Pere. She was born January 15, 1928. She lost her mother at two years of age and was cared for by her Aunt, Ann McCarthy. Betty attended Immaculate Conception school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She worked at a furniture store in Cedar Rapids while in school and was offered an opportunity to attend a school in Interior Design. Her talent for interior decorating is evident in De Pere, Wisconsin on Broadway where she did the interior design for a beautiful, Victorian home. She designed the house to the period and the home is on the Historical Register. But she felt a different calling after graduating from high school and left Cedar Rapids to take up residency in Burlington, Wisconsin to attend Teacher’s College in Racine-Kenosha. While in Teacher’s College, she met her husband, Donald Pieters and they married in 1948 after Betty graduated. She taught elementary school in a one room schoolhouse for a year where she taught k-8th grade all at the same time! She moved to De Pere with her husband and they raised six children. Betty was also an accomplished pianist with study done at St. Norbert College. She delighted family and friends with her playing and songs and played during college soirees when she visited her daughter in New Mexico. She enjoyed traveling to visit her children in Georgia and New Mexico and when she and Don bought land in Florence County called “Birch Cove”, she spent “many summers of delight during family reunions”. Betty is preceded in death by her youngest son, Daniel and her husband, Donald. She is survived by three sons, Greg, Pat, and Bob Pieters, two daughters, Mary Ann Pieters and Kathleen Lujan, six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. As all her children will attest, she was a good mother and an excellent cook - especially Thanksgiving! Family and friends may visit at COTTER FUNERAL HOME, De Pere on Wednesday, December 14, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 220 S. Michigan St., De Pere. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Brunch will follow at Betty’s home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for the American Heart Association or Unity Hospice. Special thanks to St. Vincent Hospital, Rennes Nursing Facility, and Unity Hospice for the care of Betty.