Betty `Boots` McNamara

Betty “Boots” Jane McNamara (nee Smith) passed away peacefully on March 5, 2025, at St. Clare Hospital-SSM Health in Baraboo, WI at the age of 87.

Betty was born on November 1, 1937 to Catherine R. (Read) & Raymond C. Smith in Lyons (now West Baraboo).  Betty grew up in Lyons and was surrounded by extended family.  At one time she lived with her Smith grandparents of which she had very fond memories. 

On April 12, 1958, Betty married John M. McNamara.  The following year the newlyweds welcomed their first and only child, John M. McNamara, Jr.  Betty & John were lifelong residents of the Baraboo area except for a short time in Spring Green, WI.  They traveled throughout WI on the stock car racing circuit where John raced and Betty took stats.  Later on they sold the stock car and bought a pulling truck again traveling to truck pulls.  Betty also enjoyed their trips to Daytona Beach, FL to attend the Daytona 500.  When John semi-retired Betty went with him on trips to deliver stock car engines and parts to the next generation of drivers.  Sadly, John passed away in 1999 driving home from one of those trips.  

Betty was a member of the Sauk County Writers Club.  Many of her poems & stories were published locally.  Betty enjoyed singing with her church choir and discovered a love for Karaoke where she took her “stage name” of Boots.   Betty even became an internet sensation when she was recorded singing the Rob Zombie song “Dragula” and she told everyone to look it up.  She also enjoyed watching the Packers and Nascar Races.  She fondly recalled making the trip to Virginia to visit her granddaughter, Katie and when she took a trip to Bristol, TN with her grandson Martin to go to the races.  Betty loved a good board game especially when playing with her adopted grandkids when they were young.  Her final years were spent at the Artisan Senior Living facility in Baraboo, WI.

Preceding her in death, her parents, husband John of 41 years, her son John, Jr., sisters Judy (Kenneth) Cady and Sandy Roehl.

Betty is survived by her granddaughter Katie McNamara, grandson Martin McNamara (Jami), great-granddaughters Zoie Spencer, Lillian Spencer, Kenzie McNamara, great-great grandchildren Renesmee, Carson and Raelyn.  She is further survived by nephews & nieces Randy Donald, Trina LaMay, Kathy Stoll, Debby, Kenny, Jeff, and Michael Cady and Tom Bolgrihn.  Betty is also survived by daughter-in-law Robin McNamara, former daughter-in-law Carin (LeRoy) Leach, and adopted grandkids Nicole, Josh, Courtney & Grace, many cousin & friends.

Special thanks to her caregivers at the Artisan, especially Nadine, Amanda & Brianna; Dr. Hannah, PT Luke Stangl, the SSM Health Hospice nurses and staff as well as the nurses and staff at SSM Health St Clare Hospital and the Baraboo Ambulance for everything you did to help Betty in her final stages of life.

A time of gathering will be held at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home, 401 Madison Ave, Baraboo, WI on Monday, March 10, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Graveside service to follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery, 1805 East St, Baraboo, WI.  A gathering of friends & family will be held after the service at Poor Richard’s per Betty’s request.