Elizabeth "Betty" Ackerman Brunner

Elizabeth “Betty” Ackerman Brunner passed away surrounded by love on January 31, 2026.

Betty was born on July 12, 1938, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Adolph and Cecilia Ackerman. She lived a life filled with adventure, curiosity, and deep love for family and friends.

She spent her youth in Pennsylvania, Brazil, and Wisconsin. In 1956, she graduated from Madison East High School and went on to earn a degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1960. During college, she spent a semester living in Switzerland. Betty remained a proud member of Kappa Delta Sorority and the Wisconsin Alumni Association throughout her life.

Betty developed a successful professional career at Harris Trust & Savings Bank, Wisconsin Hospital Supply, and later AT&T. She was honored to be appointed by the Governor to serve on the Medical Malpractice Patients Compensation Panels.

Retirement brought Betty some of her most rewarding work. She volunteered with Attic Angels for 21 years, serving five years as Board Secretary, and received the 15-Year Halo Award in 2019. She was a member of SAIL (Sharing Active Independent Lives) and served as the Attic Angels representative on the AgeBetter Board of Directors. She was also active in Who’s New in Madison, always finding ways to connect with her community.

A passionate traveler, Betty embraced every opportunity to see the world. From annual Door County trips and multiple cruises with family, to journeys through China, Australia, and the Amazon, she visited nearly every continent. Her only regret was that rough seas prevented the boat she was on from reaching Antarctica.

When she wasn’t traveling, Betty filled her time with symphonies, plays, and musicals. She loved trying new restaurants and dining out, and never passed up a good shopping day—whether at Talbots, local flea markets and art fairs, or the iconic shops along Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. She was an avid reader and devoted moviegoer.

Above all, Betty treasured her children, granddaughter, son-in-law, siblings, extended family, and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Cecilia Ackerman; her brother, Robert Ackerman; her sister-in-law, Mary Ackerman; her nephew, Robert Ackerman, Jr.; and her beloved son, Thomas Brunner.

She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Uecker (Robert, Jr.); her granddaughter, Emily Uecker; her brother, William J. Ackerman (Lois); her sister, Cecilia “Bonnie” Ackerman; her nephew, William R. Ackerman (Laurie); and her nieces, Diane (Samuel, Jr.) Barnes and Lynn (Robert) Hayes; as well as her great-nieces and great-nephews Paige McQuillan (James), Julia Barnes, Samuel Barnes III, Emmerson Hayes, and William Hayes.

Special thanks to our amazing caregivers Jackie Blakenheim, Gail Dandy, Kennedy Donohue, Kelly Donohue, and Mary Milbrath—you were our angels.

Heartfelt gratitude also goes to the staff at The Westerly: Emily, Barbara, Dannene, Britteny, Jamie, Laura, Hannah, Angel, Alley, Danaisah, Renelle, LaQuaza, and Julie. Betty landed exactly where she needed to be.

We extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Jeff and Patty Young, Dr. Angela Beckert, Dr. Michael Putman, Dr. Ryan Walsh, Elizabeth Ball, PA-C, and their teams at Froedtert. Your kindness, compassion, and exceptional care were truly extraordinary.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Spinnaker Room at The Westerly, 409 Swan Road, Pewaukee, Wisconsin 53072. Please come and enjoy some of Betty’s favorite foods and drinks.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to Attic Angels in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information or to give online, please visit www.atticangel.org.