APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) — The Green Bay Packers have a legendary history like no other. But a new book that had it’s Appleton launch party Thursday night at the Appleton Public Library brings a whole new perspective from the Lambeau Ladies.
Lambeau Ladies: The Boundary Breaking Women Behind Lombardi’s Packers is written by Laura Kostelnik Biskupic and Katherine Biskupic; the daughter and granddaughter of 1961-1968 Packers defensive tackle Ron Kostelnik.
Lambeau Ladies books for sale at Appleton launch party 8/6/2026 (WTAQ)
Described as nutritionists, financial advisors, event planners, and the ‘team behind the team,’ being a wife and girlfriend, or WAG, of a Green Bay Packer player today is much different than how it was in the 1960’s.
“They were very young and they didn’t have their families there. They’re from all over the country. They had no idea what Green Bay, Wisconsin was. Many of them said they had to look it up on a map,” said Katherine. “And then they get there and they needed that community, especially having little kids.”
“They landed in Green Bay just expecting to be wives, and they ended up doing fashion shows and shooting commercials,” said Laura.
Peggy Kostelnik, wife of Ron Kostelnik, and mother/grandmother to the authors of the book, is one of 30 Packers WAGs in the book.
“So many of my friends from that era are deceased now, and it was just fun to think about them and to reconnect with those who are still alive,” she said. “As I’m reading the book sometimes I get sad, and sometimes I laugh because it’s exactly what happened. But we were all very good friends.”
Vince Lombardi played a key role in solidifying those friendships, often including the wives in activities and expressing his appreciation.
“I think he was a progressive man, and I think he knew who Marie Lombardi was when he married her, and I think he celebrated her individuality,” said Laura.
The book highlights the struggles too. One of the featured Lambeau Ladies wasn’t a Packer wife or girlfriend, but landlord Flo Bettis.
“She found out that some of the black players were having trouble finding housing, and she was appalled, and then she contacted Vince Lombardi and said she would rent to any player who needed it,” said Katherine. “But she wasn’t just an apartment manager, she created a community.”
All these years later, the Lambeau Ladies are still learning some of these stories.
“I was such good friends with Ruth Pitts. I wasn’t aware that maybe some of them are having difficulties up in Green Bay because I didn’t see it,” said Peggy.
Gathering all these stories and making the book a reality took the mother/daughter duo about three years. Though their favorite Packer player/dad/grandpa Ron Kostelnik passed away in 1993, he still helped his daughter and granddaughter tell the story.
“We felt encouragement. We felt his presence, I would say, through this process,” said Laura.
“And those photos – because he took so many photos – you found those during this project,” Katherine said to her mom. “And so it felt like he was helping us along the way.”
And though the main takeaway from the book is the stories and lessons learned off the field…
“I want them to know the Packers are the greatest franchise in the history of the NFL!” said Laura.
Lambeau Ladies: The Boundary Breaking Women Behind Lombardi’s Packers is available for purchase through the Wisconsin Historical Society website, Amazon, and other major book retailers. You can also meet the authors on Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Lions Mouth Bookstore in Green Bay, or Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Novel Bay Booksellers in Sturgeon Bay.
Laura and Katherine also put together a podcast to supplement the book. The first episode is out and can be listened to here.
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