Betty J. Austin

Betty J. Austin

Streator, Ill.

The lovely Betty June Austin, 90, died peacefully with her family by her side on Dec. 4, 2023, at the Arc at Streator where she had been a resident. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator, Ill.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Private burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Streator, at a later date.

Born May 29, 1933, in rural Cedar County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Gifford and Frances (Kamerling) Hansen. She married Kenneth Austin on Dec. 2, 1950. He preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 1990.

She is survived by daughters, Julie Schmitz and Robin Austin; sons, John (Babs) Austin and Ronald (Sandy), all of Streator; grandchildren, Samantha, Joshua (Brianne), Danielle (Jon), Brent (Jen), Aaron (Ashley), Stephanie (Chris), Sara, Brooke, Lindsay (Noah), David, Kenneth, Shelby (Larry) and Dylan; 20 great-grandchildren, with two on the way; a sister, Shirley Reinert of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother, Glen “Chuck” (Geri) Hansen of Anamosa, Iowa; sister-in-law, Rosie Austin, of Anamosa; Aunt Gwendolyn “Gwen” Bulger of Mechanicsville, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Jill Austin of Metamora. Ill., and many loving nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; their third son, Donald “Weiner” Austin; son-in-law Kurt Schmitz, and a brother, Robert Hansen. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws: Fred and Daisy Austin, Florence and Darrel Hefflefinger, Leonard Austin, Leland and Darlene Austin.

She was born and raised in rural Iowa. She graduated from Morley High School, a place where she excelled in her studies and helped to lead the girls’ basketball team to win a regional championship.

She married her sweetheart Kenny in a church parsonage with her sister and best friend, Beverly by her side.

Raised in a farming family, Betty was used to hard work. She told stories of driving the equipment and looking after the livestock. Once married with a family of her own, they would visit the farm “over home” on weekends. Betty was baptized a Methodist while living in Savanna, Ill. She moved to Streator in 1970.

She was a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, homemaker and gardener. Betty spent most of her life as a homemaker until she was widowed, then found employment at Heritage Manor Nursing home, a place where Betty made new friends, worked with purpose, and where she was complimented regularly for her work ethic and kindness towards others. As a grandmother, she was a loving caregiver who spoiled her grandchildren with fruit rollups, freezer pops, and pizza rolls.

Betty enjoyed reading books, playing cards (and winning against her grandchildren), completing word puzzles, crocheting, the music of Vince Gill, gardening, and going to her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, rain or shine. She was the best scorekeeper. She was our biggest fan. She was generous. She was the best.