BETTY KOPECKY

Betty Jane Claire Kopecky, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2009. She was born January 19, 1924 in Manitowoc to the late Elmer and Ellen (Stern) Baeckman. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Leonard Kopecky, Edward Stanzel and Jacob Nitzschke, and close family friend Glenn R. (Red) Ball of Kaukauna. Betty Jane is survived by her only child, Pamela Nitzschke, Neenah, Wisconsin, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, the last of many beloved pets, Miss Willow Beagle, and other relatives and friends. Betty Jane was a lifelong carnival concessionaire, and traveled with shows throughout the midwest, including the old Dusty Rhodes' and Snap Shows, Skerbeck, Vetter, Mckenna and Bonk's Amusements. She owned and operated game concessions as a child during the Depression years with her parents, and as an adult with her daughter Pamela. Betty Jane and Pamela owned and operated Phoenix Amusements from 1982 until Betty Jane was forced by advancing Parkinson's Disease to retire in 1999. She never lost her love for the freedom of the road and never stopped asking caretakers for permission to "go for a ride" with her daughter. Thanks, Westgor, for giving Mom one more ride. Until her final hours, Betty Jane fondly spoke of her life in the carnival world, and the many successful Firefighters Picnics, Lions Club and other civic celebrations she participated in, including Bonduel, Brussels, Stockbridge and Oakfield, and Shawano Fair. The family deeply appreciates the kindness shown by Darrell Schmidt of Westgor Funeral Home, as well as Sarah Seifert of Klein & Stangel Funeral Home in Two Rivers and Steve Pfeffer of Pfeffer Funeral Home in Manitowoc. They would also like to thank "Damon, RN" at Appleton Health Care Center (Franciscan Care & Rehabilitation Center) for seeing Betty Jane as a person and for the unexpected consideration and empathy he demonstrated during those last, very difficult six months of Betty's life. The family will say "see you down the road" to Betty Jane in a private memorial service before she is laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc. Betty Jane and the many dogs she loved over the years may be honored by donations to any Humane Society, or in the love and care shown to any pet. Past or present carnival owners, ride jocks and jointees, please take a moment to drink a toast to Betty and Red, two of the greatest generation of carnies in America.