Betty Ruth (Charlesworth) Prell, of Waupaca, WI passed away peacefully on July 12, 2015. She was 91 years old.
On March 15, 1924, Betty was born in Stevens Point, WI, daughter to Arthur and Ada (Petersen) Charlesworth. She had an older sister, Oral Mae, and a younger brother, Artie. The Charlesworth family spent time between their home in Stevens Point and their cottage Camp Cleghorn, on Columbia Lake of the Waupaca Chain O’Lakes.
In 1942, Betty graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, WI. Three years later, she married her high school sweetheart, Norman Prell. Together, they raised three children, Trudy, Carol, and Gary. “Sweet Betty” and “Stormin’ Norman” were married for 56 years, prior to his passing in 2002. Norm and Betty owned and operated Prell’s Boat Livery on Columbia Lake for many years.
Betty is survived by three children, Trudy Pankow, Waupaca; Carol (Gerald) Jordan, Cape Coral, FL and Waupaca, WI; and Gary (Cheryl) Prell, Waupaca; eight grandchildren: Amy (Bruce) Johnston, Waupaca; Corey Prell, Menomonee Falls; Scott (Jennifer) Pankow, Waupaca; Michelle DeGodt, Waupaca; Shawn (Amber) Prell, Pewaukee; Mark Pugmire, Eau Claire; Curt (April) Pankow, Mosinee; and Jeff (Beth) Pankow, Joplin, MO; and 13 great-grandchildren: Holly Johnston; Ellie, Max, and Gus Prell; Ryne and Savana Pugmire; Landri and Evan Prell; Jadyn and Brendan Pankow; Finn (DeGodt) Hartwig; and Emily and Jacob Zernicke. Further survivors include her sister-in-law, Doris Charlesworth; and her lifelong best friend, Sally Anderson; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Betty’s parents; a son-in-law, Ron Pankow; siblings, and husband preceded her in death.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2015 at the Camp Cleghorn Chapel on Columbia Lake in Waupaca. Pastor Dean Wheeler will officiate the ceremony. Visitation will be from 1p.m. until the time of the service. She will be buried beside her husband high upon the hill at the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King at a later date. A luncheon will be held at Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. Casual attire is encouraged. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
Betty was the “Lady of the Lakes” and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all.