Elizabeth "Betty" A. Illing

Elizabeth “Betty” A. Illing, a longtime Waukesha resident, died on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family at the age of 88. She was born in Monroe, WI on November 23, 1926 the only child of Herbert and Anna Barbara (nee Schaad) Becker. She was a 1944 graduate of Monroe High School and attended Carroll College for three years before graduating from Business School in Milwaukee. Betty met her husband of 64 ¾ years, Robert Illing at Carroll College and they were married on March 19, 1950 in Monroe. She started her career working for the United States Post Office inspectors division. Along with her husband, Betty co-owned the Illing Company in Germantown, a container distribution business which remains in the family today.

Betty’s greatest love was her family and she felt blessed that many of them lived nearby. Betty greatly valued her loving and supportive friends, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church for many years. She was dedicated to the Waukesha community and early on served as President of the Waukesha Women’s Club. Active for many years in the Waukesha Service Club, she served as Chairman of the Thrift Shop and the Hospital Gift Shop. A longtime member of Merrill Hills Country Club, she was President of the Women’s 18-Hole Golf Group, played 18-Hole District Golf and was Chairman of Junior Golf. She also loved her home in the Sarasota/Longboat Key area of Florida. Along with enjoying gardening, nature, animals and birds, Betty adored her pet dogs.

She will be sadly missed by her loving and devoted husband Robert “Bob” Illing of Waukesha and their children, Susan (Michael) Alber of Hartland, Laurie (Dave) Ripplinger of Nashotah and daughter-in-law Kim Illing of Waukesha. She was the dear grandmother of Michael (Jenelle) Alber of Colgate, Robert (Claire) Alber of Golden Valley, MN, Carey (Joseph) Alber-Milazzo of Delafield, Kayla (Joshua) Shimel of Waukesha, Kristen (John) Ripplinger-Cagadas of Destin, FL, Taylor and William Ripplinger of Nashotah, Elizabeth (Ben) Fuller of Waxhaw, NC, Rachel and Jake Illing of Madison and Jamie Illing of Waukesha and great-grandmother of Nolan, Nathan, Adam, Cayden, Colton, Marie and Chase. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Jack Illing in 2013 and her grandson Bobby Illing in 2008.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the medical staff in the Froedtert Health System, the staff at Brightstar, and ProHealth Home Care and Hospice who helped and encouraged her.

A service honoring Betty’s life will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 11:00AM at First Presbyterian Church, 810 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186 with a time to gather from 10:30 until 11:00AM at the church. Reverend Nicole Farley will preside. An Open House Luncheon celebrating her life will follow the service from 12:30 until 2:00PM at the Legends of Merrill Hills Country Club, W270 S3425 Merrill Hills Road, Waukesha, WI 53189. Entombment at Prairie Home Cemetery will be held privately for the family. Memorials in Betty’s name are appreciated to Carroll University, 100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186, to the American Cancer Society N19 W24350 Riverwood Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188 or to the Elmbrook Humane Society, 20950 Enterprise Avenue, Brookfield, WI 53045.

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or please visit our website at www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.