Betty J. Markham, age 79, of Lena, IL died on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at U.W. Hospital in Madison. She was born on August 25, 1937 at home, in Waterford, WI; the daughter of Gilbert and Esther (Matheson) Kaebisch. She graduated from Burlington High School.
Betty married Donald Killian Markham on February 11, 1956 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Eagle, WI. Betty and Don owned and operated a farm in York Township, near New Glarus, where they raised their family. She was also employed at Advance Transformer for many years, until her retirement in 1999. Don preceded her in death in 1987.
In 1994, she met Melvin Troxell and moved to Lena, IL, where they lived happily together for 23 years. Together they created a loving home and a place for both families to gather. She and Melvin were winter Texans for several years, where they developed deep friendships.
She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, campfires, waterfalls, and traveling. She was most recently a member of First Church of the Open Bible in Freeport.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Marlene Bergemann) Markham of Monroe, Barbara (Nicholas) Miller of Monticello, Diane (David) Pankonin of Belleville, Mark (Megan) Markham of Verona, 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Gilbert Kaebisch, Jr.; sisters, Lynn (Jim) Henning and Rhonda Owen. She is also survived by her beloved partner, Melvin Troxell, his 7 children and 11 grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her parents, husband, Donald, and sister, Joanne Christiansen.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 17, 2017 at 12:00 noon at SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE funeral home in Monroe, with Pastor Burlas Parker officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, in Monroe.
Visitation will be immediately prior to service on Monday, July 17th, from 9:30 A.M. until 12:00 noon at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Betty married Donald Killian Markham on February 11, 1956 at St. Teresa's Catholic Church in Eagle, WI. Betty and Don owned and operated a farm in York Township, near New Glarus, where they raised their family. She was also employed at Advance Transformer for many years, until her retirement in 1999. Don preceded her in death in 1987.
In 1994, she met Melvin Troxell and moved to Lena, IL, where they lived happily together for 23 years. Together they created a loving home and a place for both families to gather. She and Melvin were winter Texans for several years, where they developed deep friendships.
She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, campfires, waterfalls, and traveling. She was most recently a member of First Church of the Open Bible in Freeport.
She is survived by her children, Michael (Marlene Bergemann) Markham of Monroe, Barbara (Nicholas) Miller of Monticello, Diane (David) Pankonin of Belleville, Mark (Megan) Markham of Verona, 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Gilbert Kaebisch, Jr.; sisters, Lynn (Jim) Henning and Rhonda Owen. She is also survived by her beloved partner, Melvin Troxell, his 7 children and 11 grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her parents, husband, Donald, and sister, Joanne Christiansen.
Funeral services will be Monday, July 17, 2017 at 12:00 noon at SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE funeral home in Monroe, with Pastor Burlas Parker officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, in Monroe.
Visitation will be immediately prior to service on Monday, July 17th, from 9:30 A.M. until 12:00 noon at the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.