Betty Perko

Betty Perko, 89, Greenwood, died peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. A funeral mass was held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 3, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard.

Born Betty Frances Luzovec on June 15, 1932, in Willard, she was the oldest daughter of Frank and Frances (nee Romosh) Luzovec. Betty married Victor Kotcon of Willard in 1951. Together they operated a farm in the town of Mead, and had three children: Michael, Lynn and Roberta. Betty was widowed in 1966 when Victor was killed in a car accident. In 1969, she married Gordon Roberts of Loyal, and together with the children, they relocated to St. Petersburg, Fla. Betty attended cosmetology school while living in Florida, and began working as a hairdresser. In 1973, the family returned to the Greenwood area, and she worked at ITT Life Insurance Corporation in Thorp. Tragically, in May 1976, Betty suffered life-changing injuries in an automobile accident that also took the lives of her husband, Gordon, and son, Michael. After a lengthy rehabilitation, she moved to Neillsville, and enjoyed many years as a volunteer aid in the Neillsville School District. She later met and married Louis Perko in May 1986. They made their home together in Neillsville and enjoyed many years of companionship. Betty was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. She enjoyed her homemaker’s club, gardening, weekly coffee with her friends, and lovingly caring for all her grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her husband, Louis Perko; her daughters: Lynn (Joe Mayenschein) Hoeper of Greenwood, and Roberta (Daniel) Schield of Eau Claire; six grandchildren: Brandi (Glen) Suda of Flagstaff, Ariz., Christopher Hoeper of Loyal, Miranda (Justin Mayer) Schield of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Michael Schield, of Kalamazoo, Mich., Stacy (Jonathan) Anding of Neillsville, and Emily (Cole) Conrad of Wauwatosa; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister, Frances (Dave) Koschak; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and countless other extended family members and friends.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Betty’s family with arrangements.

PAID OBITUARY 115205