Betty Voigt
Betty Ann Voigt, or known as “Grandma Betty” to many- the beloved owner of Deerview, age 71, of Hatfield, WI, gained her angel wings and passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 29, 2024.
Betty was born on February 21, 1953, to Dorthy and Phillip Abbott in Sparta, WI. Betty grew up in Cataract and lived next to the United Methodist Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She was very involved in and taught Sunday School and vacation Bible studies in her youth. She graduated from Sparta High School in 1971. A year later she gave birth to her son Chris, the center of her universe. Betty worked for the Department of Social Services in Monroe County, she spent over 20 years working at Fort McCoy as a secretary and also was actively in volved with organizing their picnics and parties at the base until her retirement there, and she also worked part-time at the Mug in Hatfield. On June 19, 1999, she married the love of her life, Doug Voigt, on the pontoon on Lake Arbutus. Together they owned, operated, and lived at Deerview together where they enjoyed their time and made many beautiful memories together before Doug passed away on July 24, 2006, leaving Betty absolutely devastated.
In her younger years, Betty loved playing softball with her girls' CIA team. She loved to race her car and participated in the Powder Puff Demo Derby. She was a member of the P.T.O. Association, Cataract Sportsman’s Club, and Tavern League of Wisconsin. She had a special place in her heart for her Black Labs- the King, Prince, Duke, and Dutchess of Deerview. She also loved feeding and watching her birds. She enjoyed camping for many years on the lake in Hatfield, working on crosswords, cheering for her shuffleboard teams, shaking dice for shots with her customers, stuffing the jukebox full of money, and playing her favorite songs to sing and dance to. Betty was an avid Packer Fan and always made sure she had food for every game. She will continue to ring her bell in Heaven for the Packers. She will be remembered for her famous Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts, and at any other time making sure no one is left with an empty belly. She would have fed the whole world if she could have done it. Most of all, she lived her life the way she wanted- to the fullest with her family and friends and a world that revolved around her grandchildren.
She is survived by her son, Chris (Lori Bixby) Abbott of Hatfield, WI; step-son, Doug (Donna) Voigt Jr. of Bon Aire, GA; step-daughters, Sue (Greg) Wendt of Fort Atkinson, WI and Kim (Ron) Johnson of Celebration, FL; grandchildren, Kyler, Tristen, and Griffen Abbott, Abigail (Andy) Livingood, Arielle (Sam Pannoni), Ashley (Brad Overlein), Alexandria, and Andrew Bixby; great-grandchildren, Liam Johnson, Brooks Livingood, and Evalynn Bollman along with 7 step-grandchildren and 4 great step-grandchildren; sister, Nancy Whitaker of Cataract, WI; brother, Randy (Deb) Abbott of Sparta, WI; her best friends, Judy “Sissy” Ellenburger and Barb “Bubba” Olson; along with many nieces, nephews, all of her Deerview family, friends, and bartenders.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Doug Voigt; parents, Phillip and Dorthy Abbott; brother, Butch Abbott; and nephew, Kelly Abbott.
A celebration of life for Betty will take place Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Deerview starting at 1:00 p.m.- all her family, friends, and patrons of the bar are welcome for a time of sharing memories, food, and laughs in Betty’s honor. Please wear your best Packer attire.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.