Rebecca Anne “Becky” Montross-Chalmers passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Monday, May 11, 2026, at U.W. Hospital, with Doug, her husband of 39 years, holding her hand.

Becky was born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on November 6, 1951. She and her twin sister, Barb Montross, were adopted and lovingly raised by their parents Harold and Shirley Montross.

Following her graduation from Verona High School, Becky joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard and served in the Band Unit. Around 1973, she transferred to the 13th Evacuation Hospital to pursue a career in medicine. Through the military, she attended Madison Area Technical College, earning her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree and beginning a lifelong career in nursing.

Becky first worked at the VA Hospital in Madison before joining the University of Wisconsin Hospital to further develop her nursing skills. Determined to continue her education, she enrolled in the Viterbo University extension Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. For four years, she faithfully traveled to Reedsburg every Tuesday for classes while continuing to work full time. Her dedication paid off when she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

In November 1990, Becky was serving as Chief Wardmaster when the 13th Evacuation Hospital was activated for Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. She often joked that she “left nothing in the desert worth going back for.” Shortly after returning to Wisconsin following the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm, Becky was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant for the 13th Evacuation Hospital.

Outside of her military and nursing careers, Becky was an avid fisherman who loved traveling with Doug to their trailer at a lodge on Lake of the Woods in Canada several times each summer for many years. She also enjoyed making jewelry, counted cross-stitch, tending her flowers, and reading. Becky was a devoted Milwaukee Brewers fan and always looked forward to the start of Spring Training and the end of a long Wisconsin winter.

Becky married Albert D. “Doug” Chalmers on May 30, 1987. They were just 19 days shy of their 39th wedding anniversary at the time of her passing.

She is survived by her husband, Doug; her twin sister, Barb Montross of Chandler, Arizona; Barb’s daughter, Erin, and her husband, Andrew Lorandos, of Phoenix, Arizona, and their daughter, Ava; Doug’s children, Alan Chalmers and his wife, Heather, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin; Darren Chalmers and his wife, Alesia, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and their son, Ayden; Andrew Chalmers and his wife, Kris, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, and their daughter, Katie; Susanne Chalmers of Baraboo, Wisconsin; and close personal friend Jerry Erdmann of Verona, Wisconsin.

No formal services are planned at this time. Becky will be interred with full military honors at a later date at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd    Madison  

608-238-3434