Betty M. Bast

Betty Mae Bast, age 89, passed away on February 4, 2021 surrounded by the caring and compassionate staff of St. Paul Elder Services, Kaukauna.

She was born May 26, 1931, to the late John and Martha (Coonen) Van Asten. She graduated from St. John High School in Little Chute in 1949. She met the love of her life, LeRoy J. Bast, at a dance at The Nightingale, and they were married on September 20, 1951 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Little Chute. Together they had 8 children, 11 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.

Betty loved raising her 8 children and did a great job of it: The family was named Family of the Month in 2008 and 2011 by the Knights of Columbus. She also worked as a dentist’s assistant, at The Sandwich Factory, and at Wisconsin Warehousing (1990–2004). She still found time to volunteer at many local nonprofits, including being a member of the Ladies of Holy Name and Christian Mothers,  volunteering at Colony Oaks Care Center (where she was Volunteer of the Year in 2004), delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, helping prepare meals for the Knights of Columbus, and babysitting for mothers at Jerry’s Lanes in Kimberly and Village Lanes in Little Chute.

Betty is survived by 5 sons and 1 daughter: Richard (Brenda), Freedom; William (Kay), Kaukauna; Susan Jones, Hortonia; Joseph (Diane), Sherwood; Brian (Mary), Suring; and Jeffrey (Karen), Waukesha. She is further survived by sisters Grace Gephart, Joyce (Phil) Bruecker, and Marcy (Ron) Siebers; and brothers Ivo (Winona), Leroy (Mary), Jim (Bernice), and John (Jane). She is further survived by LeRoy’s siblings: Jack (Jeno), Janiece (Victor) Hein, and Mary (Henry) Vandenbosch.

She is further survived by 11 grandchildren: Nicholas (Lauren), Ashley, Nathaniel, Taylor, Benjamin (Jennifer), Ashlee (Jason), Laura (Becky), Jennifer (Caleb), Jessica (Eric), Travis (Tracey), and Hannah.

She is further survived by 23 great-grandchildren: Brynn, Kaylin, Lucas, Jameson, Brecken, Aria, Mara, Eva, Lucy, Edison, Marcus, Kara, Coralea, William, Gwendolyn, Micah, Riley, Ella, Avery, Kate, Robert, Jonathan, and Madelyn.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy J. Bast; her parents, John and Martha (Coonen) Van Asten; 2 sons: Ronald and Robert; 3 daughters-in-law: Mary V. Bast, Sandra Bast, and Becky Janssen; 1 son-in-law, Roger Jones; sisters Marie and Dorothy (Sr. Cyril Marie); and brothers Cyril, Gerald, Donald, and Kenneth.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 600 East Kimberly Avenue, Kimberly. The funeral liturgy for Betty will be held at 11:00 a.m. Father Carl Schmitt will officiate. Burial will take place in the spring at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Little Chute.

Betty’s family thanks all of their friends and family who helped during this difficult time. Our deepest thanks go to the nurses and other staff of the Villa, Manor, and Home at St. Paul Elder Services, who gave warm and compassionate care not only to Betty but also to all her family. You have been a blessing to us all.