Elizabeth J. Yost, 79, died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family at Country Villa Assisted Living Sunday morning August 1, 2021.

Betty was born November 25, 1941, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Margaret (Deetz) and Galen Unser. Betty was the sixth addition to a rambunctious loving family. She grew up in Winneconne, WI developing her love of music, playing the piano and clarinet. Betty also loved sports and athletic competition, playing half-court basketball in high school. She graduated from Winneconne High School May 29, 1959. During the summer of her senior year, Betty met the man she spent the rest of her life with. John entered Betty’s life with the help of her best friend going home early, enabling John to offer a beautiful young woman a ride home from his baseball game. From that day forward, she and John’s family grew to six children, thirteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren - and it is still growing.

John G. Yost and Elizabeth J. Unser were married November 7, 1959, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne, Wisconsin. They began farming together at John’s parent’s homestead. After the birth of their first three children, Gail, Laura, and Thomas, John and Betty continued forging their own path and bought the farm adjacent to John’s parents. This remains their home to this day. Three more children came along soon after, Nancy, Joan, and John, III. What a busy household.

Through the years, Betty, always a loving mom, pursued interests in bowling, golf, sewing, reading, and softball. She especially enjoyed playing and then coaching softball. Many a weekend the family spent cheering on mom and her teams at tournaments – too many trophies over the years to count.

Betty was deeply committed to the care and service of the community around her. Mom’s compassion was immense. Always inquisitive, she was a passionate elementary school librarian at H.B. Patch Elementary School. During this time, mom attended the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh attaining a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Life then took her to a librarian position at Oshkosh Correctional Institution. Mom’s service there resulted in her receiving the Barbara Bush Outstanding Humanitarian Award for her work in developing programs for inmate’s families to connect through reading. Mom was a long-standing member of St. Mary Catholic Church of Omro, WI. She was a member of the Wisconsin Teachers Retirement Association. Mom will be dearly missed.

Those Betty leaves behind to cherish her memory include her loving husband, John; her children, Gail (Dan) Hannahs, Laura (Jim) Abraham, Thomas Yost (Jenny), Nancy Yost, Joan (Mark) Radue, and John (Jennifer) Yost, III; her grandchildren, Shannah Hannahs, Quinn (Chantel) Abraham, Alyssa Abraham (Tyler), Tiffany (TJ) Mlodzik, Dawn (Keith) Baas, Stephanie Yost, Marlee Yost-Wolff, Calvin Yost-Wolff, Spencer Yost-Wolff, Ryan Radue (Breanna), Abby (Derek) Ashman, Alexander (Jazmin) Yost, and Ian Yost; her great-grandchildren, Wyatt Mlodzik, Isla Mlodzik, Connor Martin, Camden Baas, Hayden Abraham, and Jack Abraham; a brother, David Unser; her sisters-in-law, Sara Unser, Rita Unser, Mary Unser, Marlene Yost, and Gertrude Schiller; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Galen and Margaret Unser; her siblings, Rosemary (Robert) Davis, William Unser, Kathy (Alvin) Sodermark, Richard Unser, and Joseph Unser; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Charles (Dorothy, Florence) Yost, Marciel (Joseph) Fucik, Clarence Yost, Geraldine Basler, and Rudolph Schiller.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday, August 8, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. Winneconne, where the Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday, August 9 from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church 730 Madison Ave. Omro. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the church with Fr. Joe Mattern and Deacon Paul Vidmar officiating. Burial will follow in the Winneconne Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Org. There will be a tribute page for mom where you can make a donation in mom’s name. The physical address for mailing donations to Alzheimer’s Association is: The National Processing Center, Alzheimer’s Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington DC, 20090-6011

If you wish please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.

The family is eternally grateful for the support, love, compassionate care, and “family” that Betty experienced at Country Villa Assisted Living as well as from Heartland Hospice. Betty’s end of life journey was beautiful and made possible by so many special people. Thank you.