1929 - 2008

Betty Jane Adelsen Heide Kuessow, 79, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, due to a stroke at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital.

She was born on July 26, 1929, to the late Niels Peter and Agnes (Houmann) Adelsen in Kenosha.She was educated in the schools of Kenosha.Betty was the female valedictorian in the January class of 1948 at Kenosha High School.

On Feb. 3, 1950, she married James C. Heide.He preceded her in death on Sept. 22, 1953.She married William Kuessow on Jan. 26, 1992.He preceded her in death on May 17, 2006.

Betty is a commissioned Associate in Ministry in the ELCA.She helped facilitate six senior centers in various churches around the city.She organized and was director of the first church based Senior Citizen Community Center in Wisconsin, St. Mary's Lutheran Friendly Center for 19 years.They served lunch, and had monthly tours of which several tours were extended trips.They covered all the states, the provinces of Canada, the Yucatan, and the northern countries of Europe.Betty was an active community advocate for volunteers, a charter member of the Kenosha Hospital Auxiliary, volunteered for the first group in Kenosha called FISH who chauffeured seniors and handicapped to medical appointments and grocery shopped, was on the first board who originally worked to get the Department of Aging in Kenosha and the noon lunch program.She organized a social group of single young people, which is still active at another Lutheran Church and a group of seniors called SOS.She was a charter member of Mended Hearts at Kenosha Hospital and was on the executive committee.Betty started the Kenosha Bradford Alumni serving on the board for over 30 years, president for five years, secretary for eight years and in charge of reunions for many years.

Betty was a member of St. Mary's Lutheran Church.She was an avid reader.

Betty is survived by her son, Rev. Peter (Susan) Heide of Baraboo; her daughter, Jamie (Tim) Kuiken of Fairfield, Iowa; her five granddaughters, Kelly (Matt) Giltner, Dana (Adam) Conilogue, Kirsten Kuiken, Jennifer Kuiken, Amanda Kuiken; and two great grandchildren; her five step daughters and their families; her brother, Clifford Adelsen, of Kenosha; her sister Viola Pedersen of Pleasant Prairie; her sister-in-law, Joyce Adelsen; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Her two brothers, Niels and Anker Adelsen precede her in death.

Funeral Services for Betty will be held on Monday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Lutheran Church (2001 - 80th St.).Private interment will be at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park.Visitation for Betty will be held on Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Mary's Lutheran Church, and again on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.Memorials would be appreciated to the charity of ones choice in Betty's name.

If you have a story to share about Betty, please share with the family in the online memorial book.

Bruch Funeral Home

3503 Roosevelt Road

Kenosha, WI 53142

262-652-8298

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Online Memorial Book

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