Bess Norton Roethe, a long time resident of Monroe, died peacefully in Madison on July 25, at the age of 93. Bess was born on May 29, 1917, on her family farm in Marshall, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of John and Inez (Lewis) Norton. She graduated from Waterloo High School and attended Madison Technical School and the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Bess met Arthur Frantz Roethe while she was employed as a legal secretary at the Wisconsin Taxpayer's Alliance in Madison, and they were married on Aug. 19, 1939. They moved to Milwaukee for four years and then to Monroe, which became their home for more than 60 years. Bess's most enduring love was her five children and ten grandchildren. As she put it recently, "I loved to get on the floor and play with all of them." Bess worked as a part-time legal secretary for several different law firms in Monroe, was a member of the Green County Legal Secretaries' Association and spent 25 years employed at the Benkert Law Office.
Bess was also an involved member of the Monroe community. She was active as a Den mother in Boy Scouts and a Girl Scout Leader. After her children were grown, she volunteered for an after school reading club at the local elementary school. Bess was executive secretary for the United Way of Monroe and was a volunteer for that organization for 7 years. Bess was also a long-time member of the Monroe Women's Club and was a regular volunteer at St. Claire Hospital in Monroe as well as the Monroe Bloodmobile. Bess had a strong Christian faith and was a dedicated member of the United Methodist Church of Monroe. She taught Sunday school for many years, served on numerous church committees and was past president of the United Methodist Women.
Most importantly, Bess enjoyed life to the fullest. She had a positive, contagious spirit, with an enthusiastic love of the simple things in life. She loved music and enjoyed singing the songs of her youth, instilling the love of music into her children and grandchildren. She liked sports and actively played tennis into her 80s in addition to riding around Monroe on her little red Honda moped. For over 60 years there was always a pet in the house-either a dog or a cat. Bess was an unselfish person and a model for her children, grandchildren and others, spreading joy to her family and friends. She made all around her feel special.
Bess is survived by her sons, James N. Roethe of Orinda, Calif., Arthur R. Roethe of Bend, Ore., and David J. Roethe of Madison; daughters, Caroline K. Roethe Watson of Fontana, and Judith A. Roethe of Madison. Also surviving are ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Bess was predeceased by her parents, her husband and her four siblings-brothers Gene, John and Lee and her sister Grace Gaumitz. Burial occurred at Greenwood Cemetery in Monroe in a private ceremony. A memorial service in celebration of Bess's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Monroe United Methodist Church on Friday, August 27, 2010, followed by a reception and lunch. Friends can greet the family prior to the service at 10:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monroe Methodist Church or Hospice of Madison.