Betty Burgett

Betty Dean Burgett, 89, of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, left us on March 25, 2023, following a brief respiratory illness while under hospice care in St. George, Utah. She died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, while residing in Utah, following the dramatic damage of the Hurricane Ian disaster.

She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 1, 1933 to Herman W. and Stella May (nee. Luttrell) Piering. Betty graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1951 and received her nursing degree, R.N., from Milwaukee Lutheran Hospital in 1956. Her education included courses from U.W.-Milwaukee and Marquette University. The latter course work was in Public Health.

Betty was employed by the V.A. Hospital for two years prior to her marriage to Russell Burgett in 1958. She continued to work for the V.A. Hospital until she took a job in public health with the City of Milwaukee as a school nurse and home visiting nurse. In 1967, she moved to Greeley, Colorado where her husband attended the University. Upon his graduation, they moved to Platteville, Wisconsin where Betty took a job as a night nurse at Parkview Terrace Nursing Home. Betty continued her education at U.W. Platteville taking courses in Early Childhood Education and retired from nursing in 1995.

For 54 years, Betty was involved in many community organizations both locally and at the state level. She was a member of the State of Wisconsin Domestic Abuse Council and traveled for two years to many areas of the state to work on issues. She personally provided shelter to domestic violence survivors through the Family Advocates organization.

For ten years, she undertook the leadership role of a food program (SHARE) in Platteville which provided low cost food to community members.

When her sons decided to become Eagle Scouts, she worked with them on their projects which were three pictorial tour guides entitled, “Historical Tour of Platteville”, “A Journey Into Platteville's Historic Past” and “Two Tours of Historic Platteville”. These publications are available at the Rollo Jamison Museum.

Betty also provided leadership of two “Blue Bird” girl groups, worked with the Bloodmobile, donated blood, and staffed the Thrift Shop in Platteville.

She was a devoted member of First Congregational United Church of Christ and took on the roles of Church Historian, Sunday School teacher and as a Church Women United leader. Additionally, she has been a member of University Faculty Wives.

Betty is survived by her husband, Russell Burgett, brother, Fred (Beatrice) Piering, children, Vicki (Bob) Clark, Jim (Kerri) Burgett and David Burgett, grandchildren, Suzanne (Alfonso) Romero, Lia (Donnie) Garcia, Dani (Chace) Gordon, Ryan (Alyssa) Burgett, Jenna Burgett and Sara Burgett, step-granchildren, Meredith (Andy) Clark Mueller and Tim Clark, great grandchildren, Charlotte, Juda and James Romero, Donnie and Bexlee Garcia and Kinsley Burgett.

Funeral services will be Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory in Platteville, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of service.

Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, Betty's wishes were for individuals to make donations to www.familyadv.org.