Obit: Beilke, Betty Jane (1930 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Beilke, Luchterhand, Greeler, Weiler, Beck, Parker, Froeba, Stokich, Boyer, Balkey, Riedel, Schwantes

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/20/2021

Beilke, Betty Jane (6 October 1930 – 18 May 2021)

Betty Jane Beilke, age 90, transitioned peacefully Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Stoney River Assisted Living in Marshfield.

Betty was born on October 6, 1930, in Neillsville, the daughter of Ed and Lizzie (Luchterhand) Greeler. She attended school in Neillsville and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1948. After graduation, Betty worked at the Clark County Courthouse until she married Harold Beilke on June 16, 1951. Harold and Betty farmed with Harold’s parents in the town of Lynn until they purchased the family farm in 1963. In 1974, they were joined by their son Darrell with whom they continued to farm until July of 1996.

Betty continued to fill her days, even upon retirement. She was a faithful member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church where she regularly attended services and enjoyed serving with the Ladies Aid. Betty’s faith was evident in all areas of her life, as she could often be heard humming hymns as she did dishes or cleaned her house and teaching her grandchildren proper church etiquette and mealtime prayers, which are now being passed on to the next generation; her faith was certainly a cornerstone of her life. Betty also enjoyed social time outside of church. She dedicated many years of service to local elections, and she had a standing lunch date for many years with her high school best friend, Vivian. She spent a lot of time chatting with friends and family on the phone, and anyone lucky enough to receive a regular birthday or Christmas card from her could always count on a handwritten note tucked inside, detailing her daily activities.

Perhaps the happiest (and most time-consuming) moments of Betty’s life, however, were spent doing the things she loved the most: gardening, cooking, keeping the world’s cleanest house, and, most of all, spending time with her family. You could stop by Betty’s house unannounced at any time, and even though she would tell you she “didn’t have much prepared,” she would somehow conjure up a meal complete with meat, potatoes, vegetables (likely homegrown), homemade bread and jam, the best canned pickles, and a homemade dessert. If you were really lucky, she’d even send some home with you. She loved having her grandchildren and great-grandchildren out to the farm, where they learned to feed calves, tend her garden, jump round bales, and help her cook, and she rarely missed a game, concert, or other school or life event. Her family meals were the stuff of legend, and each of her children and grandchildren have their own personal favorites, which she made sure to put on a regular rotation. To know her was to love her, and if you ask any of her children or grandchildren, they will undoubtedly tell you she was simply the best.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Weiler, of Marshfield and granddaughter Jennifer (Matt) Beck and their sons Tyler and Wyatt, also of Marshfield. Her son, Darrell, of Marshfield and granddaughters Tiffany (Frank) Parker and their daughters Charlee and Kinsley of De Pere, Casey Beilke of Green Bay, Jordan Beilke (Luke Froeba) of De Pere and their mother, Lorraine Beilke of Granton. Her son, Rick (Kathy), of Marshfield, and grandchildren Nathan (Bianca) Beilke and their children Lorelei and Lennon of Sheboygan Falls, and Morgan Beilke (fiance Blake Stokich) of Rochester, MN. She is further survived by one sister-in-law, Elaine Greeler, Rogers, AR and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Lizzie, and brother, Ronald Greeler; her husband, Harold, his parents, and his sisters Ruth Boyer and Vera Balkey; her son-in-law Randy Weiler and her grandson Shane Weiler.

A celebration of life will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton, on Saturday, May 22nd. A short visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. with funeral services to follow immediately after at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Neillsville City Cemetery following the service. The honor of pallbearers belongs to Nathan Beilke, Matt Beck, Frank Parker, Luke Froeba, Amos Riedel, and Bill Schwantes.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers at Stoney River and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care and for making Betty’s final moments as peaceful as possible.

A livestream of Betty's funeral service and committal rites can be viewed at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 22nd.

We ask in Betty’s honor that those whose lives she touched remember to get some fresh air every day, never be afraid to sing your hymns loudly and off-key, teach your family how to make your special recipes, and be grateful for all of the simple things in life.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Betty’s family with Funeral arrangements.

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