Anderson Funeral Home

serving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222

Sylvia Bertrang
Sylvia Mae Bertrang, 87, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, February 25, at Caretta Senior Living Memory Care in Eau Claire.

Sylvia was born on March 22, 1938, the daughter of Floyd and Margaret (Whitcomb) Pettis. She was raised in the rural Fairchild area, where she attended Pettisville Country School and later graduated from Fairchild High School.

Following her graduation, Sylvia continued her education at University of Wisconsin–Stout, earning her teaching degree in home economics. She was united in marriage to Randall Bertrang, and together they began their life in the Milwaukee area.

While living in Milwaukee, Sylvia worked in the restaurant industry. The couple later relocated to Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, eventually settling in Waukegan, IL. In the early 1960’s Sylvia and her family welcomed into their home her sister Phyllis, who lived with the family until 1985.

During her time in Illinois, Sylvia worked at Abbott Laboratories and also devoted nine years to teaching first, third, and fifth grades. Besides her role as a mother, the work closest to Sylvia’s heart was her time spent caring for children with disabilities in North Chicago, where she worked extensively with children with Down syndrome. This position was deeply meaningful to her, and she found great purpose and fulfillment in supporting and encouraging those in her care.

After suffering a stroke, Sylvia retired and moved back to the Eau Claire area to be nearer to her family. Her final move was in 2001 when she and her sister Phyllis moved into St. Francis Apartments in Eau Claire. While in Eau Claire, Sylvia was an active member of Chapel Heights United Methodist Church and enjoyed her involvement with the congregation. 

Sylvia will be deeply missed by her son, Allyn (Molly) Bertrang of Eau Claire; 3 daughters, Margaret (Jeff) LeGore of Eau Claire, Laura (Glen) Taylor of Marion, IL and Angela (Dale) Hockers of DePere; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Margaret; siblings, Paul Pettis, Lorraine Hardesty-Davis, Dorothy Heinneman, Russell Pettis and Phyllis Pettis: sister-in-law, Ella (Rimling) Pettis; brothers-in-law, Lyal Hardesty, Virgil Davis and Bill Heinemann.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Heights Methodist Church in Eau Claire. 

 Friends may call 1 hour prior to services Saturday at the church. 

 Burial will be in the West Lawn Cemetery in Augusta.

Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com