Bette J. Worm

Bette J. Worm, 96, of Fond du Lac, passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021 at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home, after a long life filled with adventure, friendship, and love. She was born at the family home in Fond du Lac, on February 9, 1925, the daughter of Frank and Ada Priepke McCoy. Bette graduated from Goodrich High School in 1942. She attended the School of Nursing at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, and worked as a nurse in Chicago and California during WWII. On July 24, 1948, she married Gordon A. Worm at Division Street Methodist Church. In 1951, they built a house on the west shore of Lake Winnebago, where they raised their four children. Bette loved to garden and grew all kinds of plants and flowers and nurtured the wildlife along the lake shore. She loved the outdoors, taking family and friends on summer trips to the Embarrass River, hunting in the Northwoods, and fishing wherever she could get a pole in the water (making many friends along the way). Bette holds the family record for largest fish, a sturgeon she speared on Lake Winnebago. Bette and Gordon owned Dana & Worm Pharmacy in Fond du Lac, running the business until their retirement. She was very active in the Wisconsin Pharmacy Association, serving as president of the Auxiliary from 1984 to 1985. She was also active in the Westshore Homemakers Club and served on the North Fond du Lac School Board. Bette was a life member of Covenant United Methodist Church in Fond du Lac. In retirement, she and Gordon were avid travelers, both internationally with trips to Australia, Europe, China, and Israel, as well as going on local “mystery trips” all over the Midwest. In her later years, Bette enjoyed golfing, playing cards, and volunteering at the Salvation Army (as well as having a Manhattan most days around dinner time). She is survived by her children: Chris Worm of Fond du Lac, Jackie (Pete) Zoellner of Marshfield, Jeff (Darleen) Worm of Fond du Lac, and Joe (Deanna) Worm of Wrenshall, Minnesota; her grandchildren: Amanda Zoellner (Bryan Fink) of Minocqua, Wisconsin, Andrew Zoellner (Jill Kittock) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Emily Worm (Arman Pirzad) of Denver, Colorado, and Rachel Worm (Matthew Woosley) of Woodbury, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Beryl Worm of Battle Creek, Michigan and Joan McCoy of Fond du Lac. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Dawn Bartelt and two brothers: Hugh McCoy and Tim McCoy. VISITATION: Friends may call from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Covenant United Methodist Church, 20 North Marr Street, Fond du Lac. SERVICE: Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Covenant United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mary Balson officiating. Inurnment to follow at Rienzi Cemetery. Memorials appreciated to the Salvation Army or Covenant United Methodist Church. Special thanks to Marquardt Hospice for the care and concern shown to Bette and family.

Bette J. Worm

February 9, 1925 - June 4, 2021