Betty Jane Ozarowicz

Betty Jane (Compton) Ozarowicz passed away at the age of 95 on July 7, 2026. She was born in Green Bay on Christmas day in 1930 to Bert and Lucille Compton. Her mother passed away when she was only 9 years old leaving 13 children to be raised by her father, Bert Compton, who was the Walnut Street Bridge Tender his entire life. Siblings shared responsibilities with the oldest stepping up to oversee the household. Many stories were told of a difficult life during the Depression but they thrived and remained a very close knit family. She married Raymond Ozarowicz on June 12, 1950, and celebrated 51 years of marriage before Ray passed away on July 1, 2001, after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at King Veteran’s Home. Prior to her passing, she was a resident at Rennes Memory Care unit in De Pere.

Her happy place was Robert’s Lake in Wabeno, WI where they built the original cottage 60 years ago from scratch with scrap lumber from old barns and the help of family. A total cottage remodel after retirement completed their dream and lake life became their permanent residence. They shared the lake with many siblings in her family which provided an abundance of entertainment… swimming, fishing, card games (sheephead), bonfires, horseshoes, sing-alongs, visiting and a lot of laughs til wee hours of the morning…of course there were a few drinks shared as well. Their favorite entertainment was slow pontoon boat rides around the lakeshore providing music with accordions, harmonicas, and stump fiddles while people sang, clapped and danced on their docks.

Betty held a few part-time jobs throughout her life at H.C. Pranges Sporting Goods, Radio Shack, and K-Mart.

Polka music brought a bounce in her step and a smile on her face. Betty taught her children polka dancing, taking turns with each, as the others waited on the couch. She was often found dancing by herself in front of a music TV show. She was fortunate to find a male companion, later in life, with many Sunday afternoons spent at polka dances with her long-time dancing partner of 12 years, Leonard “Gus” Yanda, whom she met at Equity Hall in Pound after her husband (Ray) passed away. Her daughters accompanied her to many dances after her partners were both gone, and she was still dancing at 90 years old. She was a Mark Jerekovic and Lovin’ Country groupie, following their music whenever she could. Betty was a self-taught button accordion player and spent hours entertaining herself and others. She was blessed to have Ray and Gus as beautiful dancing partners throughout her life. One of her favorite past-times was shopping for clothes, shoes and purses right to the very end, passing along this passionate hobby to her daughters. Betty loved cards and could just never get enough sheephead or Liverpool Rummy…still playing at 95 years young.

Betty is survived by three children; Kathleen (Brian) Herlache, David (Mary) Ozarowicz and Jean (Jeff) Ambrosius; seven grandchildren and their spouses, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, two step grandchildren, their spouses and children, along with two sisters; Joyce Bessert and Carol Baetsen. She is further survived by sisters-in-law, Nancy Compton, Diana Compton, and brother-in-law, Don Vannieuwenhoven as well as many many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, siblings and their spouses: Bert (Arlene) Compton, Jr.; William (Dorothy) Compton; Harold (Germaine) Compton; Richard Compton; James (Barb) Compton; George Compton; Bernadine (Andrew) Ozarowicz; Bernice (Emil) Klimczyk; Ella Vannieuwenhoven, Mary Lou (Ron) Garrity, brother-in-law Floyd Bessert, and her very good male companion, Gus Yanda. She also had a twin sister, Beverly, who passed away at 3 weeks old and two infant brothers, Clarence and Joseph.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 15 with visitation from 9:00-11:45 at St. James Catholic Parish in Cooperstown, 18228 County Rd R with Father Brian Belongia officiating a Mass of Christian Burial at Noon.