Betty Mittelstadt Hart Mathwig, 86, of Eau Claire died on Monday, January 25, 2010, in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded by her family after a brief illness. She was born August 13, 1923, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin the fifth of eight children and first daughter born to her parents, Pearl (White) and Fred W. Mittelstadt. She graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School class of 1941. On April 24, 1948, Betty married her first love, James A. Hart, Sr., at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Eau Claire. Together they lived a full life, raising six children. Jim preceded her in death on May 29, 1986. In 1992, at a family reunion she planned, Betty became reacquainted with Edward Mathwig, Betty's brother Chuck's best friend from college. She and Ed hit it off and after a whirlwind romance, were married on December 1, 1992, in Redwood City, CA. After living 70 years in Eau Claire, Betty moved to San Mateo, California where they resided for nine years. She and Ed shared many adventures, including trips to Texas and New York City and driving the Alaskan Canadian Highway from Fairbanks, Alaska to Wisconsin. Every year they drove cross country to spend the beautiful summer in Wisconsin. In 2001, Betty and Ed returned permanently to Eau Claire.\r\nShe is survived by her husband, Edward G. Mathwig; Eau Claire, four daughters, Christine Hart Reichert, Eau Claire, Jeanine Hart Seaman, Rancho Sante Fe, CA, Mary Hart (Jeff) Meixelsperger, Green Bay, and Sandra (Dr. Timothy) Shelley, Eau Claire; four step children, Jim (Patti) Mathwig, Tucson, AZ, Joyce (Rich) Wheeler, Millbrae, CA, Judy (Dennis) Kirk, Reno, NV and Mary Jane (Greg) Brazil, Albany, CA.\r\nGrandchildren: Amy Hart, Angela Hart, Hanna (John) Blankenship, Daniel (Alisha) Hart, Joe (Lindsey) Hart, Jared (Elizabeth) Hart, Jaime (Doug Ebert) Reichert, Bradley (Lauren) Seaman, Jonathan Todd Seaman, Katelyn and Anna Wolfenberger, Jennifer and John Meixelsperger, Jeff, Westin and Emily Hart, Amy (Tyrone) Gruver, Brandon, Eric and Nicole Shelley; step grandchildren: Lori (Eric) Mjolness, Rick Wheeler, Michael Kirk, Kathleen (Jeff) Hurley, Michelle and Shannon Brazil and Samantha Mathwig. Great grandchildren: Amber and Rachel Schmit, Julia Lane and Christian Decker, Kaden Hart, Alexander Reichert and Isabelle Reichert-Ebert, Austin and Mckenzie Ebert, Olivia, Samuel, Jonathon and McKenzie Gruver; Step great grandchildren: Ryan, Rachel and Renee Trainer, Danielle Hurley, and Lars and Clare Mjolness. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Laurie Hart, Hudson, OH; two sisters, Maxine (Leland) Schultz, New Brighton, MN and Jean (Dennis) Haanpaa, Montreal, WI; and sisters-in-law, Arlene Mittelstadt, Pigeon Falls, Marlys Mittelstadt, Monona, Dorothy Hart, Eau Claire, and Geraldine Kappus, Eau Claire; brother-in-law, Carrol Bonnin, Eau Claire; and many loving nieces and nephews who grew up with "Aunt Betty". \r\nBetty suffered the greatest pain a mother can endure when her youngest son, John Patrick Hart, was murdered in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Her pain was deepened when she lost her oldest son, James A. Hart, Jr., to cancer in September 2007. She was also preceded in death by her parents; husband James A. Hart Sr.; and brothers, Frederick, Charles, Robert, Jack, and Russell Mittelstadt. \r\nBetty came of age during the World War II, a proud member of our greatest generation. She enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and proudly served her country in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Services) until her honorable discharge in 1945. She was one of five siblings simultaneously serving in active duty during World War II. \r\nDuring her lifetime, she was employed at Uniroyal Ammunition (tool¨ inspection and the tube department) and was with St. Patrick's school lunch program for many years. \r\nBetty was a member of St. Patrick's Ladies Guild, Catholic Women's Club, VFW Post 305 Auxiliary and DAV Auxiliary in Eau Claire.\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2010, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Eau Claire, WI with Father William A. Dhein celebrating the mass. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire where American Legion Post 53 will present military graveside honors. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home, 814 1st Avenue. Eau Claire, and one hour prior to services Friday at the church. There will be a Public Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty's name to Sacred Heart of Jesus-St. Patrick Parish, 322 Fulton St., Eau Claire, WI 54703\r\nHer family would like to extend special thanks to Eva Bakken and all of Betty's caregivers for the exceptional kindness and care they gave to Mom.\r\nBetty was a strong and determined woman who had a profoundly positive impact on everyone she met. She loved to gather family around her and tell stories long into the night. We will always remember the rosettes she made at Christmas, and her ability to bring all of the family together year after year. She had a great love of family and church. She loved to play bridge with her many friends. She traveled to visit her family throughout the country. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren very much. \r\nWhen I must leave you for a little while, Please do not grieve and shed wild tears And hug your sorrow to you through the year But start out bravely with a gallant smile, And for my sake and in my name Live on and do all things the same, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky! (Helen Steiner Rice)\r\n

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