Betty Marie Brunette

Betty Marie Brunette, 91, of Rhinelander, passed away on Sunday evening, December 24, 2023, at Rennes Health & Rehab, surrounded by her beloved family.

Betty was born in Rhinelander on February 23, 1932, to Forrest V. and Marion P. (McQueen) Turcotte. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and was a 1950 graduate of Rhinelander High School. She was employed for a time at Johnson’s Store and later as an executive secretary at the Rhinelander Paper Mill. She met her future husband, William E. Brunette, through a mutual friend. The couple were married on January 3, 1953, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Bill’s parents started City Cleaners in 1944, and eventually Bill and Betty owned and operated the business. Betty was involved with the business almost up until her death. You could always find her in the front of the store, greeting and assisting customers.

Strong in her Catholic faith, Betty prayed each day, and was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church.

She enjoyed knitting, participating in the church choir at St. Mary’s, ceramics in Sugar Camp, reading, watching the Green Bay Packers, attending many dry-cleaning conventions and conferences with Bill, yearly trips to Las Vegas, a trip to Hawaii, and baking.

The most important part of Betty’s life was her family, who she dearly loved and took great pride in.

She is survived by her children, David (LuAnn) Brunette of Rhinelander, Daniel (Cathy) Brunette of Rhinelander, Timothy (Lisa) Brunette of Rhinelander, and Michelle (Todd) Luedtke of Eagle River, her grandchildren, Nathan, Tyler, Nicole, Allison, Michael, and Mikaela, great-grandchildren, Mary Leona, Adele, and Charlotte Jagoda-Brunette, step-grandchildren, Ryan Luedtke and Brook Beardsley, five step-great-grandchildren, and two brothers-in-law, Don Aho of Green Bay, and Dennis Brunette. Also surviving are other relatives and friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Marion Turcotte, husband Bill, a brother, Richard Turcotte, and a sister, Rosalie Aho.

The visitation for Betty will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hildebrand Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, located at 125 E. King Street, with Fr. Chris Kemp officiating.

 Immediately following the mass, there will be a procession to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Cemetery for the committal service.

Betty’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Rennes Health & Rehab, especially the 300 wing for the exceptional care given to their mom.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.