Elizabeth (Betty) Mittelsteadt

Elizabeth attended First Lutheran School and Central High School in La Crosse. She held bachelors degrees in education from Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN, and from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She received a masters degree in early childhood education from Northwestern University, Evanson, IL where she also studied organ.

Elizabeth married Karl A. Mittelsteadt in February, 1943 when Karl was serving as an ensign in the United States Navy during World War II. In November, 1943 Karl lost his life when his ship, the USS Liscome Bay, was sunk in the Pacific Ocean.

Elizabeth began her teaching career as an elementary school teacher in parochial schools in Sparta, WI and Winona, MN. Later she taught at First Lutheran and Immanuel Lutheran schools in La Crosse. Her final teaching years were at Jefferson Elementary School in La Crosse where she taught kindergarten.

Elizabeth was an accomplished organist and pianist. She studied organ and piano with many international teachers and performers. She made frequent trips to Europe on organ study tours, and played on many of the great organs of Europe. Elizabeth was a church organist for most of her adult life. She was the first organist at Grace Lutheran Church in La Crosse, and served for years as director of music and education at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Over a long lifetime, Elizabeth had hundreds of private organ and piano students, many of whom went on to have successful careers in the field of music. In 1999 a number of these students gathered in La Crosse to perform an organ concert in honor of her decades of worship accompaniment and training of future musicians.

On October 20, 2012 a private committal service for family only was held at Mormon Coulee Cemetery followed by a prayer service at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.