In loving memory of
Mrs. Robert T. (Betty Rose) Meyer
October 18, 2011
Mrs. Robert T. Meyer died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 after a short illness. The former Janet Elizabeth Rose (Betty) was born January 25, 1913 at her childhood home in Green Bay, the daughter of the late John and Anne Mraz Rose and the granddaughter of John B. and Adele V. Rose, pioneer Green Bay residents.
Betty graduated from Green Bay East High School and from Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee.
On October 24, 1938, she married Robert T. Meyer of Oshkosh and moved to Minneapolis where her husband was affiliated with Hoberg (Charmin) Paper Mills.
With the exception of four years in Minneapolis, Betty lived in Green Bay her entire life. She was a member of St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Chapter AV of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Green Bay Service League Auxiliary, the Antiquarian Society, Heritage Hill, Neville Museum and the Brown County Historical Society. She also founded the Robert T. and Betty Rose Meyer Family Foundation for charitable contributions to the community.
In 1976, at the request of the Special Collections Department of U.W.G.B., Betty wrote and published a book, A Proud Step Forward, a history of the Rose family from 1741 through 1974 with special emphasis on her father, John Rose's contributions to the community.
Betty established two scholarships at U.W.G.B., one in her mother and father's names and the other in her husband's name for the average student who demonstrates leadership and citizenship achievements as well as financial need. In hopes of revitalizing downtown Green Bay, Betty provided a generous lead gift for the renovation of the old Fox/Bay Theatre, which was then renamed the Robert T. Meyer Theatre in memory of her late husband.
For her commitment and generosity to the community, Betty was the recipient of several awards including the Brown County Historical Society Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Preservation of Local History, the Mayor's Civic Award for Community Philanthropy, Northeastern Wisconsin's Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year 2003, the Chancellor's Award from the U.W.G.B. and the Key to the City of Green Bay for her contribution to the Mayor's Neighborhood Leadership Council.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Robert T. Meyer, former owner and president of Tape Inc., her daughter, Janet Anne De Spirito (Rodney), her brother, John M. (Jake) Rose and her sister-in-law, Meredith B. Rose.
Survivors include her daughters, Susan James and Christine Mayer (Harold); her grandchildren, Anne Rusnak (John); Elizabeth James-Lipscomb (Michael); Christine James-Stern (Scott); Scott Mayer (Kristen) and Katherine Mayer and her great-granddaughters, Anna Lipscomb, Giselle Rusnak and Madeline Stern; other survivors include cousins, Donald Mraz, Caroline (Mrs. Carl) Mraz and Carol (Mrs. Robert) Rose; and nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind good friends, Gladyce Hopkins and Ruth Osen and her beloved dog, Sophie.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 18 at Lyndahl Funeral Home, 1350 Lombardi Avenue. The funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 347 South Libal Street, De Pere, with the Rev. Seth Richmond officiating. Interment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established for the Robert T. and Betty Rose Meyer scholarship fund at U.W.G.B., the Bellin School of Nursing and the Meyer Theatre.
The family wishes to thank Betty's dedicated caregivers, Mary Beau, Gloria Blauert, Marie Chapman, Jean De Smidt, Viv Dittman, Mary Gagnon, Max Metzner, Connie Secrist, Carol Gohr, Mary Jo Jacques, Peg Millet, Mary Jo Solie and Lana Van Hulle, whose loving care allowed Betty to remain in the comfort of her home these past several years and to Unity Hospice in her last days.
Download or view the memorial video by clicking here.