Mineck, Betty Jean

Betty Jean Mineck, 92, daughter of Walter and Mercedes (Baird) Stephenson, passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. Services: 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, where the family will greet friends from 9 a.m. until service time. The Rev. Paul Wilcox will officiate. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Betty was a lifelong Cedar Rapids resident. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, Arnold Lynn Mineck. They married shortly after he enlisted in the United States Army and left for Europe to fight in World War II. Upon his return, Betty filled the home with six children, hand sewn colorful square dance dresses, beautifully knitted sweaters and afghans and a multitude of friends, many she had known for more than 50 years.

Betty and Lynn loved to square dance with the “ Promenaders,” and camp with their children in the summer with the “Twirlin' Travelers.” They “whirled and twirled” for more than 50 years and formed lasting friendships with members of both groups. Betty loved the outdoors and knew the names of all the plants and birds.

In her later years, she knitted hundreds of tiny hats and bootees for newborn babies at Cedar Rapids Hospitals. Although Betty was primarily a “stay at home” mom, for a period of time, she worked at Turner's Mortuary and Beatty-Beurle-Murdoch Funeral Home.

Betty leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories for her children, Lynn Zimmerman, Teresa (Terri) Staab and husband David, Stephen (Pete) Mineck and wife Jennie Lanzo Mineck, John Mineck, Sally Tomaszewski and husband Rich and Jeffrey Mineck and wife, Cathy; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, along with many dear friends.

Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in memory of Betty.

Please sign the online guest book for Betty at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 24, 2013.