Elizabeth "Betty" Sobotta

Elizabeth “Betty” Sobotta, 83, of Independence, died peacefully Monday, November 7, 2016 at Seasons Hospice in Waukesha, WI. Betty was born in Independence, Wisconsin on February 21, 1933 to Stanley and Proxeda (Kamla) Skroch. Betty attended Independence High School and was the 1950 Salutatorian. She was a 1953 graduate of St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing and attended Barry College in Miami, FL. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Miami, New York City, and San Francisco. She returned to Independence to marry Ernest Paul Sobotta. Together they raised five children and were fabulous grandparents of twelve grandchildren: Russell (Diane) Sobotta (Ted & Elizabeth); Paul (Melanie) Sobotta (Sofia & Michael); Mary (Gary) Nussbaum (Elizabeth, Anna, Paul & Joseph); Tina Minter (Benjamin & Maxwell); Susan (Spencer) Mayhew (Katherine & Daniel) She was proud that all of her children are graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and by her sisters: Evelyn Cushing and Elynor Ficken. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ernie, her parents, and her brothers: Dr. Eugene Skroch, Edward Skroch, Ephraim Skroch, and Emil Skroch, and her sister Esther “Les” McDonald. Betty was a tireless advocate for the Independence Community. She was a Founder and President of the Rainbow Community Club, President of the American Legion Post 186 Auxiliary, Cub Scout Den Mother, and a member and leader of many more. She served as Trempealeau County Health Officer, Independence School District Nurse and taught hundreds of students to become Certified Nursing Assistants at Western Wisconsin Technical Institute. So many times she received a call from someone in the community in need of a nurse, and she would willingly go to help. Betty especially enjoyed her many friends at the Fountain of the Sun Community in Mesa, AZ. It was a special part of her life. In her last days, she said: “Life is to live, make the most of it. I’ve had a good one.” Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Independence. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Luncheon to follow in the church basement. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2016, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary, at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday. Memorials are suggested to SS. Peter & Paul Catholic School or the SS Peter and Paul Church Restoration Fund. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth "Betty" Sobotta, please visit our flower store.