Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Lidral

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Lidral, 93, a longtime Rhinelander resident, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024, surrounded by family at Accent Care Hospice Center in Naperville, Ill.

Lidral

Betty was born May 13, 1931 in Fort Atkinson, to Ulrich and Elizabeth (Iberle) Braig. She was the second of six children, and the first American-born of her German immigrant parents. She was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Milwaukee and received her RN from St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, followed by a BS in Nursing from Marquette University. There she met dental student Paul Lidral, whom she married in August of 1956. Betty worked as a nurse at Milwaukee Children’s hospital while Paul finished dental school. They moved to Rhinelander in 1958 when Paul bought a dental practice. The family quickly grew to include six daughters and one son, who kept Betty busy through the early years of marriage. When her youngest was in school Betty returned to nursing at St. Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander, where she worked for 17 years.

Her Catholic faith was an integral aspect of who Betty was and led her to serve her community in numerous ways. In addition to volunteering at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, the Food Pantry, Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing - Frederick Place, Northern Arts Council and the YMCA, Betty was a secular Franciscan and a member of Toastmasters and the American Association of University Women.

An active person who loved being outdoors, Betty was often spotted riding her bike, walking around town, and even shoveling snow off the roof of her front porch. In the summer, a near-daily routine was a late-afternoon swim across Buck Lake, earning her the moniker “Buck Lake Betty.” A point of pride each year was a birthday dip or swim there (if the ice was actually out by mid-May). Betty didn’t let the frustrations of golf dim her enjoyment of the walk and the company while playing, and she maintained the second-longest membership at Rhinelander Country Club until she moved away in 2023. She also enjoyed playing bridge, mostly for the friendships which she truly cherished. Betty and Paul loved sailing together, and many happy weekend afternoons were spent as a family swimming and sailing at Lake Tomahawk or Boom Lake aboard the “Hey Mom!”, the first boat Paul bought for Betty. Winters were for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the beautiful northwoods. 

At age 60, Betty, who had never hunted before, decided she wanted a bear rug. So she took up hunting for a week, shot a bear, had the rug made, then promptly retired from hunting.

An adventurous traveler, Betty explored the world with trips to Alaska, the Virgin Islands, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada, India, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Peru and Croatia. Always curious, she was a frequent participant in the Learning in Retirement program offered by Nicolet College.

She was blessed with many caring friends and neighbors who often benefitted from Betty’s nocturnal habit of “puttering” in her kitchen into the wee hours, baking cookies, muffins and pies to be shared. Her lemon meringue, apple, and rhubarb pies were the best around. She also had a strong belief in the medicinal powers of dark chocolate, and believed a small daily dose was preventive practice. 

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, parents Ulrich and Elizabeth Braig, brothers Joseph Braig and John Braig, and son-in-law Bruce Ruedig. She is survived by sisters Rosemary (John) Moquin, Barbara (Tom) Allen, brother Mike (Carole) Braig, sister-in-law Colleen Braig, children Monica Lidral (Kevin Porter), Therese Ruedig, Cecelia “Cele” (Mark) Coleman, Marcia (Craig) Franzke, Andrew Lidral, Veronica “Pixie” Lidral (John Matranga), Rita (Matt) Minnichsoffer, grandchildren Daniel, Brendan and Keenan Lidral-Porter; Nicholas (Liz), Allison, Caroline and Peter Ruedig; Baron and Maren Franzke; Joseph, Hannah and Aaron Lidral; Holden and Carson Minnichsoffer, and great-grandchildren Leif and Ash Ruedig.

Betty's children are most grateful for the love, friendship, care, and assistance her neighbors Daryl and Mary Dean, and Ben and Kourtney Berscheit provided over the years. Words are inadequate to express what they meant to Betty, and her children deeply appreciate all they did for her. The family also appreciates Dr. Christopher Koeppl for his long-time patient and compassionate care of Betty. There are many others who provided assistance and companionship to Betty during her last several years in Rhinelander, and her children are also grateful to all of them.

Visitation for Betty will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, August 16 at Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home in Rhinelander, and 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17 at Nativity of Our Lord church in Rhinelander, immediately prior to a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m., with Father Christopher Kemp presiding.

Memorials may be made to Nativity of Our Lord School endowment fund, Rhinelander Food Pantry, Northwoods Life, or Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing - Frederick Place in Rhinelander.

“Hey Mom! Sail on!”