Elizabeth "Betty" Cary Bostrom

1924 – 2023 Milwaukee, WI

Elizabeth (Betty) Cary Bostrom died peacefully on September 12,2023 at St John's on the Lake .

Betty, the daughter of Albert and Leona Cary, was born and raised in Saukville, Wisconsin. She graduated from Port Washington High School and at the age of 17 left to attend Marquette University where she received her undergraduate degree and eventually a graduate degree in Social Work.

In the fall of 1947, Betty, ready to explore the world outside of Wisconsin, left for Europe with the U.S. Army Intelligence Division. She was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, and was responsible for helping displaced Prisoners of War. She returned to the States, and soon after married Dr.A.L.Kappus, MD, a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Marquette University's Medical School. Dr Kappus, refusing to swear an oath to the Nazis, had immigrated to the United States at the beginning of WW II. Their marriage took place at the Cistercian Monastery on Oconomowoc Lake. Their only child, Carola (Lola) was born in the Fall of 1950. They lived on Fowler Lake in 1950's. Betty was passionate about education and helping those less fortunate. Her first job was as a Social Worker for Milwaukee County, placing and supervising children within the foster care system. Later she became a second-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary and Greenland Elementary in Oconomowoc. Betty, interested in community issues and current events, joined the Waukesha County League of Women Voters. She continued to stay involved with political causes, and in 1968, opposed to the war in Viet Nam, she served as a delegate for Eugene McCarthy at the Democratic Convention.

Betty divorced Dr. Kappus in 1959, and she and Lola moved to their new location on Lower Nashotah Lake, a home the family has enjoyed and kept for over 60 years. Betty, with her neighbor Shirley Chudik, established the Lower Nashotah Lake Association in 1970. They wanted to protect their beautiful, spring-fed lake and set into place By-laws for boater safety. They introduced the first No Wake policy, which banned motorized boating during specific afternoon hours on weekends and holidays. The Association still actively exists, and the rules still apply!

Betty met Harold Bostrom, a well-known Milwaukee industrialist through mutual friends, and married him in1965. They split their time between the lake home and eventually a place on Wahl Avenue. They were both very involved with many causes. Betty served on the boards of Via Marsi (Penfield), the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and Planned Parenthood, where she was an early recipient of the Margaret Miller Award. It was during this time that Betty, an avid reader, was asked to join her beloved Book Club. The members became her closest friends walking mornings along the lakefront, entertaining often, and traveling each Spring to Manasota Key as a group. They were powerful women in the community, running non-profits, chairing events, and becoming well-known fund-raising leaders in the field of philanthropy.

Betty and Harold were passionate about environmental issues long before it became popular. They felt that not enough was being done to protect and preserve our planet. They collaborated and brainstormed with others who were equally concerned, (Paul Ehrlich, Garrett Hardin) and approached Gaylord Nelson with the idea of a day dedicated to bringing awareness nationally. Senator Nelson took the proposal to Congress, and in April 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated here in the United States!

Betty and her son-in-law Bob, a builder, decided to work with the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning to create a neighborhood in the City of Delafield. The first development, Valley Road Place, began in 1975. It was a uniquely designed, architecturally controlled subdivision, with one acre density and preservation easements on all of the lots. It won a national award and years later additional land was purchased to develop Valley Road Farms in the mid 1990's.

Betty (our beloved Lilly) is survived by her daughter Lola (Bob) Loepfe; her granddaughter Sarah Loepfe Singer, (Jeff), Vivienne and Louella; her grandson, Will Loepfe, (Meghan), Rowan and Ruthie; an only niece, Sue Cary, and her children, Jim and Robert Borchardt; and her only nephew, Steve Cary, (Cheri), and their daughters Shannon and Regan. Betty was very fond of and involved in the lives of Harold's grandchildren: Laura, Lindy, JJ, and Paul Bostrom.

Betty was an intelligent, thoughtful, and kind person. She had a great sense of humor and loved celebrating the successes of others. She was rarely judgmental, and she was extremely generous. We will miss her extraordinary wit, her candid opinions and her unconditional love of her family and close friends. When asked a few months ago what she thought her formula had been for such a long life she answered: " I eat a healthy breakfast and read the NY Times daily. I still try to exercise by walking, and I continued swimming until my mid-90's. I've always tried to surround myself with interesting people. I keep my mind sharp with news programs and for years I watched Charlie Rose every afternoon at 4, usually followed by a martini or glass of Chardonnay and some pretzels. I've lived a rich, full life with wonderful friends and my loving family nearby. I'm lucky and very blessed."

The family is grateful for all of the love and support Betty received from all of the St John's staff especially during her last year on the Stratford third floor. Betty was also very fortunate to have the most wonderful private help from her "Team Betty" --- four amazing caregivers which she called " her friends": Berenice Basurto, Guadalupe Sanchez, Victoria Bustamante and Lynda Rice.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Elizabeth Bostrom Scholarship Fund at Notre Dame School of Milwaukee and to Planned Parenthood of Milwaukee would be appreciated. A fun summer party to celebrate Betty's life will take place at Cedar Ridge in June 2024.