Elizabeth Sonnemann

Elizabeth Sonnemann—known to all as Betsy—beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and educator, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at Fairhaven in Whitewater, Wisconsin, at the age of 99. She was born on June 12, 1926, in Evanston, Illinois, and raised in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, by Harry Charles and Cora Graves Paine Grausnick.

A 1948 graduate of Milwaukee-Downer College (now Lawrence University), Betsy earned a physics degree—a rare accomplishment for a woman of her era—and worked as a physicist for A.O. Smith in Milwaukee. She married Karl Sonnemann of Watertown in 1949 and moved to Lake Mills, where Karl opened a dental practice and the couple raised their family over 40 years. Their lakeside home was the center of countless cherished gatherings, especially for her four grandchildren, who treasure memories of summer cookouts, boating, and swimming.

Music was central to Sonnemann family life. Karl played tuba, violin, and piano and led the church choir. Betsy taught piano, sang, and played alto saxophone, participating in ensembles—including the Madison Symphony Chorus and Madison Municipal Band—into her late 80s.

After Karl’s death in 1983, Betsy earned a Lay Diploma in Christian Education from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and served 13 years as staff Christian Educator at First Congregational Church UCC in Watertown. She served as an education consultant to UCC churches, served on the boards of UCC, interfaith, and arts organizations, and founded and led UCC Grandparent and Me camps at Pilgrim Camp, Green Lake—bringing music, science, and faith in God to children.

Betsy embodied the ideals of Christian life: intellectual curiosity, love of all people regardless of background, advocacy for social justice and the separation of church and state, and a disdain for proselytizing. She was a generous and loving example to all who knew her.

Betsy is survived by her daughters Gail Sonnemann (Samuel Brylawski) of Washington, DC, Kay McDermott (Robert) of Tampa, and Judy Evenson of Racine; grandchildren Kole Evenson (Preston Richmond) of Racine, Kyia Evenson of Madison, Julie Brylawski (Alex Duval) of Chicago, and Susanna Brylawski of Queens, NY; and great-grandson Theodore Duval, along with nieces, nephews, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Karl, her parents, and her sister Helen Stohl.