Elizabeth (Betty) Jane Wittmann Van Thiel, age 96, entered peacefully into eternal life December 20, 2024.  She was born on September 25, 1928, in Darboy, WI to the late Hugo and Anna (Mader) Wittmann. She attended Holy Angels School down the road from her family's dairy farm in Darboy and finished her education at St. John Nepomucene High School in Little Chute. It was there that she met her first and only love, her high school sweetheart, Theodore (Ted) Van Thiel. They married in September 1948 at Holy Angels Church. He preceded her in death on August 26, 1996 after 48 beautiful years of marriage.

Betty's Catholic faith was at the forefront of her life, and she was a committed member of the Third Order of St. Francis since 1995. She was also a dedicated member of Holy Angels Parish in Darboy where she and Ted made their home. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother to her family, she volunteered her time in many ways for her parish, serving on the Christian Life Committee, as well as cleaning the church, teaching for the religious education program, singing in the Angel Choir for funerals, and being a Eucharistic minister. Betty was also a familiar face working the Scrip program for many years at Holy Angels/Holy Spirit school where all of her children and many grandchildren attended for an impressive, consecutive span of years from 1960-2021!

Betty was known for her cooking, especially her famous "Betty Burgers" that she perfected in the days that she and Ted ran their tavern, Ted and Betty's. She spent many hours in her kitchen making meals and answering the same question patiently when each child would come in and ask what's for supper? Each year she hosted the family Thanksgiving dinner giving our family cherished memories with our cousins, aunts, and uncles. Her last year of hosting, at the age of 70, she made four turkeys serving 75 family members in her home. She also volunteered her cooking skills making meals for the COTS homeless shelter in Appleton.

Betty was good at growing things. In addition to her faith and her family, Betty had a green thumb and loved spending time in her huge garden growing vegetables that she would can, freeze, and share with her family for the winter. She also enjoyed reading whenever she could find the time. Betty was truly a Proverbs 31 woman and her example of living will remain an inspiration for her children and grandchildren throughout their lives.

Memories of Grandma Betty's big house will live on in the hearts of her grandchildren as they remember Sundays as fun days where her house was always open, the table was filled with treats, the lemonade pitcher was passed around, and there were plenty of cousins for games and good times. Grandma greeted everyone with her beautiful smile that lit up the room. Laughter and love filled the house until it was time to go, and she would stand at her kitchen window smiling and waving the cars goodbye after we would hear her familiar, "Come again!"

Eleven children are blessed to call her Mom. Four daughters and their husbands: Maria and Dave Asman of Darboy; Karla and Steve Fink of Darboy; Anna and Greg Wallace of Darboy; Sara and Shawn Vandenberg of Sherwood; Seven sons and their wives: Alan and Deb Van Thiel of Combined Locks; Victor Van Thiel of Darboy; Ted and Linda Van Thiel of Little Chute; Deacon Greg and Ginger Van Thiel of Forest Junction; Matt and Kim Van Thiel of Little Chute; Kurt and Shelly Van Thiel of Darboy; Phil and Carrie Van Thiel of Combined Locks. She is survived by 45 grandchildren. Alan's family: Jeff (Jill), Riley (Allison), Briana (Brent), Elizabeth (Gene), Ben (Hannah), Noah, Lydia (Sam). Maria's family: Katie, Sharon (Joe), Laura (Travis) Marley (Ryan). Karla's family: Eric, Ellie (Kevin), Kevin (Hailey), Brian. Ted's family: Nick, Emily (Brian), Ted (Katrina). Greg's family: James (Hali), Mike (Shelby), Clayton (Tori), Becca, Mary. Anna's family: Rachel (Andy), Caleb (Brooke), Seth (Alix), Elizabeth (Sam), Andrew. Matt's family: Matthew, Kyra (Andrew), Madeline. Kurt's family: Maya (Eli), Hannah, Ella. Phil's family: Ethan (Gabby), Wesley (Kyra), Tate (Brynn), Ryder, Quinn. Sara's family: Gina (Kyle), Teddy, Owen, Joseph, Liam, Isaac. She is further survived by 55 great grandchildren; her brother, Hugo (Patty) Wittmann; brother-in-law, Bill Romenesko; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents and loving husband, Betty was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Jenny Van Thiel; sisters: Dorothy Wittmann, Lois Wittmann, and Celine Romenesko; brothers-in-law: Joe Van Thiel, Roman Van Thiel; sisters-in-law: "Mackey" Wittmann, Jill Wittmann, Mary Van Thiel, Betty Van Thiel, Evelyn Van Thiel; and two dear nieces, Denice Minton and Gina Wittmann.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 27, 2024 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH – DARBOY CHURCH (W2796 County Road KK, Appleton) beginning at 4:00 p.m. until the time of the Parish Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at church on Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.  Betty's Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Donald Zuleger with Deacon Greg Van Thiel assisting.  Committal Holy Angels Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established.

The family would like to thank St. Paul Elder Services for the comfort and care given to their beautiful mother during the last three months of her life.   The hospitality, compassion, and support for her children as they chose to take turns staying around the clock with Betty gave each of her eleven children the precious gift of time to spend individually with the mother they adored.

Mom, we have been beyond blessed to have you in our lives all of these years. You have lived by example, showing kindness and patience when life would get difficult. The love you and Dad shared along with the gift of faith that you have instilled in your children will bless the next generations to come. Until we see you again our love for you, like the family you started, will continue to grow.