Betty Lou (Buddy) Propsom, 90, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017, with her family at her side. Born September 12, 1926, in Sturgeon Bay, WI, she was the daughter of the late Hollis and Florence (Norton) Bassford.
Betty graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School Class of 1944. During her Senior year, she worked full time at Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding and Drydock as part of the war effort. She then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she studied Social Work. She became a case worker for the Welfare Department of Door County and pursued this career until she decided to raise and care for their growing family.
She was united in marriage to Edward M. Propsom on July 22, 1950. They were married for forty-three years until the time of Edward’s death on October 11, 1993. She then married Vernon R. DeLair on November 10, 2001. Vernon passed on October 15, 2012.
Betty was a lifetime member of the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church. She served as the church secretary for twenty years, was a church Elder, was active in the Women’s Circle meetings, taught Sunday School, and directed a children’s choir. She was a member of the VFW Post 3088 auxiliary, Sons of Norway, Sturgeon Bay Business Women's and past president of Sturgeon Bay Women's Club. Betty Lou and Edward enjoyed traveling together, and she continued to travel after being widowed. She loved learning about new places and meeting the people there. Rededicating her Baptism in the River Jordan was a high light of her life. She especially enjoyed visiting her children who lived out of state.
Surviving Betty are her children Susie (Jim) Southard and Steve (Tracy) Propsom of Sturgeon Bay, Sam (Debbie) Propsom of Casselton, ND, Sandy Propsom of San Diego, CA, and Stuart (Rosie) Propsom of Idaho Falls, ID; a brother Charles (Bea) Bassford of Sturgeon Bay; seven grandchildren, Samara (Mike) Fellner, Zeb Southard, Shawn (Eric) Fowler, Christopher (Ziyan) Propsom, Stephanie Propsom, John Propsom, and Olivia Propsom; seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews; cousins; and several close friends.
Visitation will be at the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church from 10am until the time of service at 11am on Saturday, May 13th, with lunch to follow. Interment at Hainesville Cemetery.