Betty Lou Cauffman, age 73, of Fennimore, died on Monday January 15, 2018, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. Betty was born on June 27, 1944 in Lancaster, WI, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Bock) Witzig. She was married to George Cauffman from 1963 until 1979. Together they had two children, Todd and Tara.
Betty Lou graduated from Fennimore High School in 1962 and then attended U.W. Madison. She resided in Madison for a year and then moved to Boscobel for a short while until making her home in Fennimore. Betty Lou resumed her education at U.W. Platteville and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and her Master’s Degree in Biology. She was employed at Rayovac, Land’s End, the Community Action Agency in Crawford County and did residential appraisals, but her real passion was farming. In 1996, Betty Lou purchased her farm north of Fennimore and began Valley View Emus. She sold many emu products from her home and became known as the “Emu Lady” at the Madison Farmer’s Market and WI State Fair. She also served as President of the American Emu Association. Betty Lou also loved her community of Fennimore. She served on the City Council, Jaycees, local 4-H groups, librarian at the public library, substitute taught with the Fennimore School District, and very proud of her work with the composition of the Fennimore Then and Now book that was published in 1980. Betty Lou believed in a hard day’s work and liked to travel, but always enjoyed spending each day with her dogs Honey and Pumpkin.
Betty Lou is survived by her two children; Todd Cauffman and his wife Caroline Cornelison of Elkhorn, WI and Tara Grob of Waukesha, WI; four grandchildren, Quentin and Lillienne Cauffman and Allyssa and Vaughn Grob; father Bob Witzig of Fennimore, brother Tyrone (Karla) Witzig of Fennimore and half sister Gina (Mike) Campbell of Fennimore.
Betty Lou was preceded in death by her mother Helen Munns.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 at the Fennimore United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until the time of service at the church on Monday afternoon. Burial of the cremains will be held at a later date in the Prairie Cemetery in Fennimore. The Larson Family Funeral Home of Fennimore is assisting the family.