Betty Jane Ponto

Betty Jane Cora (Krentz) Ponto, 95, formerly of Ripon, passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at the Markesan Resident Home where she had been living for the past 2 ½ years. Betty Jane Krentz was born on March 7, 1927, two hours after her twin brother William, on the family farm in the township of Mackford in Green Lake County, a daughter of William A. and Ella Lenore (Krusel) Krentz.

Betty was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Markesan. She had a strong faith and was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Neshkoro.

As a young girl, Betty had a pony named Penny that she rode to school. Penny would take Betty to the Lone Cedar School House and go back to the farm, returning at the end of the school day to bring Betty home. Betty left high school early to work on the family farm. She enjoyed her younger years on the farm with her extended family. As was common in those days, she learned to cook, bake, can and make her own clothing.

As a young woman she enjoyed going dancing with her girlfriends. They often danced together as the men “could not keep up.” Betty met her future husband, Orlo Ponto, while they were both working at Rippin Good Cookies in Ripon. They were married on May 26, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church in Neshkoro, WI after he returned home from serving his country in Korea. They lived a very happy and fulfilling life together, fixing up the old house in Ripon, gardening and canning, attending church and the American Legion activities, traveling to all 50 states and overseas, and sharing events in the lives of their families. They continued working together at Rippin Good Cookies throughout their married life. Orlo worked making the cookie dough and Betty worked in the packaging department where she eventually became a supervisor. They were just shy of celebrating 40 years of marriage at the time of Orlo’s passing on March 11, 1995.

Betty was very sociable, making many friends throughout her life. She held Avon and Tupperware parties early on and became an avid collector of owl knick  knacks. She loved cooking dinners for friends and family. Betty enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, crocheting and macramé. She was a fan of the Braves, Brewers, Packers and Bucks. She won several bowling tournaments, participating well into her 90s. She loved dogs and had many throughout the years. Betty spent a lot of time in her later years with her friends, Deb Teske and Katherine Beilfuss. In her final years, she enjoyed life and was aided by her friend and companion, Robert Ziebell. They attended church, bowled, socialized and made meals together.

Those Betty leaves behind to cherish her memory include her many nieces and nephews, William H. (Beth) Krentz, Allan (Susan) Krentz, Dorene (Ed Gentile) Glover, Dorthea (Jim) Bruns, Marie (Thomas) Dulas, Pam Ponto, Cheryl (Brent) Clauson, Paula (Brian) Lutzen, Barbara Lund, Daniel Nickolie; 2 brothers-in-law, Gus and Valois Ponto; sister-in-law, Mavis Ponto; special friend, Robert Ziebell; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, William A. and Ella Krentz; husband, Orlo Ponto; brother, William C. (Anna Marie) Krentz; sister, Dorothy (David) Konovsky; 2 brothers-in-law, LeRoy Ponto and Walter (Audrey) Nickolie; sister-in-law, Ethel (Charles) Lund; 3 nephews, Charles Lund, Kevin Ponto, David Nickolie.

A funeral service for Betty Ponto will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning 10:00 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 227 North State St., in Neshkoro. Pastor John Bumgardner will officiate. Following the service, Betty will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Neshkoro. A memorial has been established. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send a condolence or to share a memory of Betty with her family.

Betty’s family would like to thank the staff at the Markesan Resident Home and SSM Health at Home Hospice for the warm caring support they gave to Betty in her final years.

Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home

Sunset Cremation Center in Princeton

Serving the Family, 920-295-6631

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