Vera Boettcher

Vera (Vee) Boettcher was called to her heavenly home on March 28, 2013, at Schmitt Woodland Hills in Richland Center, after a life of many transitions. Vera Francis Louise was born in Chicago on May 17, 1918, the only child of Theodore and Louise Matz (Bruns) Berger. By the age of 13, Vera had already lost both her parents and was cared for by her brother Ed and wife Adeline Bruns, brother Bill Bruns, and sister Caroline Bruns Schissler.She attended Healy Elementary School in the Bridgeport neighborhood and was a National Honor Society graduate of Englewood High School. For many decades following graduation, she maintained loving relationships with several of her classmates.While employed as a secretary at Uarco, Inc. in Chicago, she took a trip with her dear friend Colette to Devil's Lake in Baraboo. There she danced at the Chateau with a handsome local boy, Arthur Boettcher. Their romance continued through WWII, and when Art returned from service in Europe, they were married at Doremus Congregational Church in Chicago on March 9, 1946. In 1947, Vera and Art moved to the Boettcher family home in Baraboo where city girl Vera gracefully adapted to small town life. There they worked together in their successful photo business and in Art's bowling associations for nearly forty years. In 1957 their marriage was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Louise Ann, who was in turn blessed by their deep and unwavering love.After 23 years in the photo business, Vera returned to the outside workforce and was employed as a secretary at Eagle Signal Corporation, Sauk County Abstract and Title, and Sauk County Emergency Government, from which she retired in 1988.Vera became a faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church in 1948, and served in the Ladies' Aid Society and Division A, working at Christmas fairs, Easter breakfasts, and numerous other church events. In addition, she was a member of the Modern Priscillas Homemakers, Baraboo Theatre Guild, ART Friends, and her scrabble group.Vera loved her family and her husband's family...they were dear to her; her interest in family history inspired her to make scrapbooks detailing several generations of both families. She loved music and laughter, words and word games, and enjoyed writing rhymes. She was an organized and skillful manager of financial and business affairs. She was a good neighbor, offering friendship and help to young and old alike during the 52 years she lived in her home.In 1999, after a serious fall, she left that home to reside at the Coventry Village in Madison, where she thrived and lived happily for six years, making many new friends, enjoying outings with Louise, and being close to her nephew Ed Bruns, his wife Shirley, and their large, loving family.Eventually, health concerns made another transition necessary. From 2006 until the time of her death, Vera lived at Schmitt Woodland Hills in Richland Center, where Louise could visit daily, and where she received excellent care from the dedicated and compassionate staff. Louise is forever grateful to these good people who helped Vera make her final transition from the trials of life on earth to the eternal glories of life in heaven.Vera was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Art, who died in 1987. She is survived by her daughter Louise Ann Murphey; her son-in-law, Paul; her nieces Betty and Shirley and their families; nephews, Ed and Bill and their families; Art's cousins, Jean and Darleen and their families; and many dear friends and neighbors.Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church of Baraboo with Pastor Carl Schroeder officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo. Memorials may be made to the St. John's Lutheran Church of Baraboo, Arthritis Foundation, or Alzheimer's Association. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family; redlinfuneralhome.com.When Vera left Chicago for Baraboo, friends presented her with a framed motto that she always kept on her bedroom wall, and that hangs in Louise's home today. The words are so fitting for the end of dear Vera's journey: Peace and rest at length have come, All the day's long toil is past, And each heart is whispering, "Home, home at last!" -Thomas Hood