GERTNER, Betty J., age 88

Died: Sunday, August 30th, 2026

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Jamie Brieske officiating

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening (September 16) at the funeral home and also one hour prior to service at church on Thursday

Private interment will be later.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Carnegie Mellon University or the charity of the donors choosing.

Betty's funeral will be livestreamed here: https://youtube.com/live

Betty Jane Gertner, age 88, of Eau Claire, a mother, grandmother, wife, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 30, 2026. 

Betty was born on September 27, 1937, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the second child of the late Robert Lee and Helen Elizabeth (Gill) Erwin. Since childhood, she loved fabrics, sewing, and making things by hand. Her father once joked that she could have all the clothes she could make-an invitation Betty happily accepted. In later years, this transitioned to quilting. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. During her senior year, she was selected to study family life and child development at the Merrill-Palmer Institute in Detroit, where she met the love of her life Willis Stanley Gertner. They were married on July 23, 1960.  She later earned a master's degree in home economics education from UW-Stout.   

When Will became the first Lutheran campus pastor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, his new calling brought Betty and their growing family to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where they would put down a lifetime of roots. She spent 12 years raising their three children before returning to education as a home economics teacher in the Eau Claire Area School District at Memorial High School.  

Throughout their life together, Betty and Will traveled to 37 countries and visited every U.S. state. Their journeys reflected curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering new places and experiences.  

Betty was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and participated in community organizations including the American Association of University Women and the University Women's Association, among others. She was known for her practicality, humor, generosity, and spunk. A trusted ear for thought-provoking conversations and added laughter. Curious and warm-hearted, she loved learning, meeting people, and making everyone feel welcome.

Betty and Will shared 54 years of marriage and built a life centered around faith and family, community and adventure. Together they raised three children and were blessed with four grandchildren, all who brought them tremendous joy and pride.

Betty will be missed by her children, Marcia (Peter Boldon) Bowman, Sandy (David) Weissinger, and Eric (Kate Collier) Gertner; grandchildren, Sarah (Taylor) Nix, Laura (Shane) Olson, Natalie Weissinger, and Oscar Gertner; many relatives, friends, students, community and church members. She leaves a patchwork of beautiful memories, and a family woven together by her love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Will, in 2015; and her brother, David (Joan) Erwin.

Our sincere thank you to the many friends that visited Mom regularly, as well as for the care, compassion and professionalism provided by the following teams:  The Classic at Hillcrest Greens, Sequoia Integrated Health, St Croix Hospice, and Evergreen Funeral Home.