Betty Jean Kullas

(nee Krawczyk) Found peace on the evening of Thursday, May 28th, 2026 at the age of 98 years. Beloved wife of 34 years to the late Robert Sr. Loving mother of Judith (Thomas) Shine, Robert (Lynn) Kullas Jr., Anne (Dennis) Oulahan, James (Karyn) Kullas, Jane (Rene) Cerrillo, and Paul Kullas. Cherished grandmother of Rebecca (Oren) Azar, Molly (Corey) Lorenzen, David (Megan) Shine, Kyle Lauritch-Kullas, Kevin (Berenice) Oulahan, Margaret (Davie) Gonzalez, Renee Kullas Fermin, Anjuli Cerrillo, Antonio (Tricia) Cerrillo, Tomas (Kayla) Cerrillo, Rocio (Kyle) Zylka, and Logan (Shawn) Kullas. Dear great-grandma of 22 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandma of two great-great-grandchildren. Further survived by her sister Alice (Joseph) Skorcz, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, friends and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Josephine Krawczyk, sister, Dorothy Laga, brothers, Leonard, Edward, Robert, and Richard, and great-granddaughter, Adeline Lorenzen.

With great sadness, we share the passing of our beloved Mother (Matka), grandma, great-grandma and great-great grandma. Our consolation is that we know her struggles are now over, and she is at peace. She can be happy and dance as much as she wants. She was truly one of a kind. Mom's love, warmth, laughter, and smile-she had a beautiful smile--will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

Mom was born and raised in Milwaukee and, after finding the love of her life, Bob, our Dad (her blonde sailor!), nurtured her family there as well. Throughout her life, she touched countless people with her kindness and warmth. The kindness shown to all she encountered cannot and did not go unnoticed. She was a humble and caring person, never asking much for herself, but always thinking of others before herself, even in her final days. When any of her children visited, she always asked about us, our children, and grandchildren, what we were up to, how jobs or school were going-always interested in our lives and shenanigans. She was so immensely proud of her family. Mom always tried to remember everyone's birthday and would slip "a dollar or two" in the cards she sent. She made others feel welcome, important, and loved.

If there was someone with the "patience of a saint", that was mom. She taught us patience throughout her life, even in the last days that were difficult for her. She often thought she was a burden on her children and wanted to be independent for as long as possible. Mom was never a burden. She was someone who thought of others and didn't want to "bother them."

She was a loyal and hardworking woman, holding several different jobs throughout her life, and was a role model in advanced secretarial work. Mom was the kind of employee and coworker everyone wished for! Rarely, if ever, did she miss a day's work. Her work ethic rubbed off on all her children--all of whom excelled academically and professionally. She made daily life look tireless, but we know that wasn't true. Often before or after work, she would clean, cook, or even sew clothes for us-getting in as much as she could in a day. We are not sure how she did it.

Mom was a woman of faith. She prayed daily and with deep sincerity for everyone she knew to help them through their struggles. She never thought she was "better than" anyone else or deserved more than others. If you asked her to say a prayer for someone, she always said, "Sure, I'll add them to my list." Mom was an inspiration and role model for her daughters and her sons. Generous in her time, love, and help in building lasting memories.

She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved fiercely and deeply, always putting others before herself. Her honesty, compassion, and ability to lend an ear when someone needed it were wonderful and without judgement. Mom offered advice if asked but tried to help people figure things out for themselves while being supportive. She was such a special lady inside and out.

Mom loved to go to lunch with friends or family whenever she could and, despite frequently saying she didn't know if she could make it, seldom missed a family birthday, graduation, wedding, or get-together. Christmas was always extra special when we would all gather and share opłatki and listen to "Li'l Wally" carols. One of her favorite things to do was to go to her cabin up in Crivitz in the fall to see the change of colors and drive around that area which was incredibly special to her. October of 2025 was her last trip, and it was beautiful. Many cherished memories for her, especially of Dad, and for the family were created in Crivitz.

Our family is deeply heartbroken by the loss of such an amazing woman, but we are so immensely grateful for the love, memories, and time we had with her throughout her wonderful life. She will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Mom had a long, fulfilling, and rich life, maybe not financially rich but rich in the things that mattered--her family, her friends and, until her last days, her health. She leaves a strong legacy of love, strength, humor, laughter, joy, and kindness in the hearts of her family and friends. Her smile will be forever etched in our hearts.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of the Aurora Home Hospice Team for the compassionate and loving care shown to Mom and her family. Their kindness and support will not be forgotten.

Memorials may be sent in Betty's honor to: National Shrine of St. Jude, 205 Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60606, www.shrineofstjude.org, or Divine Word Missionaries, PO Box 6099, Techny, IL 60082, or a charity of your choice.

Visitation at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 3100 W. Parnell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53221 on Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM. Private Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.