BettyLee Roberta Behrens Pangburn, 91, of Whitewater, WI passed away gracefully on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by her incredibly attractive (yet humble) children and grandchildren.
Betty was born the youngest and shortest of six children on April 24, 1933, in Litchfield, Michigan, the daughter of George and Leora (Clemens) Behrens. A force of nature with an iron will from birth, Betty fought tirelessly to regain her eyesight after a rude bout of scarlet fever threatened to leave her blind at a young age. With unwavering determination, reinforced by her mother, she spent countless hours at the Upjohn’s School For The Blind, where her strong-will served her for the first time. Defying the odds, she regained her sight, allowing her to lead an independent and unencumbered life. Betty spent her formative years in the Kalamazoo area of Michigan, graduating from the Central High School of Kalamazoo. It was here her majorette skills dazzled crowds and set her apart from her nearly 2000 classmates. At 20 years old, Betty married the dashing and dapper, Warren Earl Pangburn on November 7, 1953. Warren was a tall and gentle man, the perfect counterpart to Betty’s fiery nature and small stature. Their relationship was one for the ages! Together nearly 63 years, until Warren’s passing in 2016, they were soulmates, lovers, best friends, and devoted parents to their four children; Kristie, Joseph, Thomas, and Kenneth. Over the course of their life together, Betty and Warren shared a seemingly endless supply of love, regularly opening their door to anyone who needed a warm bed, good meal, or comforting hug. For over a half-century, their house was regularly filled with a chaotic symphony of love, laughter, and Patsy Cline. Besides each other, Betty and Warren’s one true love was dancing and, Lord, they were good at it! On more than one occasion, they wiped the proverbial (dance) floor with young couples unable to keep up. When they weren’t shutting down the dance floor, they enjoyed spoiling their pets, growing oversized vegetables in their garden, fishin-n-fryin’ bluegill, and creating unconventional artwork. It’s rumored they caused quite a stir in the Wisconsin art scene with the creation of their passion project, Oh My Gourd!
Betty and Warren managed the famed Road-Star Inn in La Crosse, WI for over 15 years; this was more than their job, it was their home and an anchor for their family. The Road-Star played host to some of the pair’s favorite memories: summers spent blocked into weeks when the grandkids came to visit, countless Christmases when the Inn was invaded by their kids, their kids’ partners, grandkids and an overwhelming number of dogs, plus an interesting couple of Halloweens in the ‘90s when pumpkin-carving became a big thing. Always looking to give back, Betty and Warren were goodwill ambassadors for the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce and later volunteered to care for the gardens and decorate the common areas when they lived at Mulberry Glen. Brilliant and strong-willed, Betty gave 100% to every job she had, but none more than her role as a devoted wife and mother, taking excellent care of her children, other people’s children, and later her grandbabies. Betty was an inventive and talented cook and baker, making certain to keep her family, or anyone in need of a good meal, well fed and happy. She was a pathologically giving and generous person, an obscenely impressive feat for someone who grew up the youngest of six during the Great Depression. Proud of her heritage, she wore her strong German will as a badge of honor, but was also kind, loving, and always up for a good laugh or conspiratorial chat. Betty will be remembered for her stern yet generous nature, the sound advice and wisdom she shared with her family, friends, and neighbors (occasionally against their will.) After 8+ years, Betty returned to Warren’s side at 10:16 pm on a snowy Saturday, leaving behind enough memories and stories to last numerous lifetimes.
Desperately missing her are her children: Kristie Lennon of Milwaukee, WI, Joseph (Kim) Pangburn of Palmyra, WI, Thomas (Tamara) Pangburn of Mesa, AZ, and Kenneth (Bridgitt Noel) Pangburn of Apple Valley, MN and foster daughter Mary (Rusty) Rodeheaver Aide; her grandchildren, Eileen (Shad Garcia) Seeger of Milwaukee, WI, Jazmin Lennon of Eau Claire, WI, Aubree (Quinn Lemmers) Lennon of Brooklyn, NY, D.J. Pangburn of Madison, WI, Kody (Felipe Saint-Martin) Pangburn of Madison, WI, Sterling (Desirae) Pangburn of Winston, OR, Leora (Callie) Schneider of Gresham, OR, Anna (Blake) Calmes of Brandon, MS, and Walton Pangburn of Mesa, AZ; and her great-grandchildren, Lennon, Chaplin, Denver, and Yarrow. Betty is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and other relatives & friends.
Welcoming her home with open arms are her parents, her parents-in-law, her loving husband, Warren (with all the pets they had along the way), and her siblings, Marjorie, Donald, Mick, Darlene, and Jerri.
A Celebration of Betty’s life will be held in La Crosse WI, the place she and Warren always said they were happiest. In lieu of sending flowers, as she’d absolutely hate to waste them, please consider planting something small (like her!) in her memory.
Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence, please visit gibsonfuneral.com
