Betty Glover

MADISON - Betty Glover, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.  Betty was born on September 17, 1947 in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of John and Helene (Beyer) Markstahler.

Betty lived in the Madison area all of her life where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison while raising her two sons, Nathan and Jordan, as a single parent.  After earning her degree, she worked as a teacher in the Madison Metropolitan School District until her retirement in 2011.

In her free time, Betty enjoyed spending time with family and friends, was an avid reader, and was always up for new shared experiences.  She’d often take her children and their friends on new adventures, be it ski trips to Devils Head, tubing down the Sugar River or road trips to new places.   Old friends and family often credit her as being the person who first introduced them to various life experiences.

For those closest to her, Betty’s Christmas Eve parties became a thing of legend.  For well over 40 years, Betty hosted Christmas Eve gatherings where all were invited.  Her parties were filled with food, music, games, laughter, and a feeling of community.

Betty was a deeply compassionate person with a generous heart and an adventurous spirit.  Betty befriended people from all walks of life, allowing all into her home and heart.  She developed lifelong relationships; her closest friends were just like family.

Betty, affectionately called Nana, had a special relationship with her only grandchild, Samari.  Both cherished the time they spent together over the years.  Just as with her sons, her humorous and adventurous nature were also on display with him.  As a compassionate educator, she was especially proud of his kindness toward others as well as his commitment to academic excellence.

Although her absence has left a void that can never be filled, her kindness, generosity, and loving spirit will live on through all who she knew and loved.

She is survived by her sons, Nathan (Amy) Glover and Jordan Glover; grandson Samari Glover; sister Marge (Mark) Kalscheur; and her beloved dog, Lucy.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helene (Beyer) Markstahler; brothers, John, Arthur and Harold; sisters, Dorothy (Markstahler) Bailey and Charlotte “Char” (Markstahler) Schultz; and sisters-in-law, Betty and Edna Markstahler.

A celebration of life will be held at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison, WI 53705, beginning at 11:30am, on Saturday, November 11, 2023.  A reception will be held onsite, immediately following the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome.  These monies will help to offset medical bills accumulated shortly before her passing, in addition to funding a memorial donation to the Madison Public Schools Foundation.  Donations can be made here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kymyvn-betty-glover