Betty J. Martinson

NAME Betty J. Martinson,age 75, passed away into the arms of her Savior while surrounded by the love and prayers of her family on January 1, 2010, in Elburn, IL. BORN: She was born April 2, 1934 the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rambough) Diehl in Mt. Morris, IL. EARLY YEARS : Betty grew up in Mt. Morris and attended local schools later graduating form Waterman High School with the class of 1952. Betty worked at Northern Illinois Finance in DeKalb for time as a secretary. Later she would work for several organizations and schools in the DeKalb area teaching children with special needs including DeKalb Optometric until her retirement. MARRIAGE Betty met her future husband through a classmate and friend from high school. She was united in marriage to Raymond L. Martinson on January 15, 1955. They began their new life together in Malta where they were blessed with a son David. A few years later they built a new home only a block away and were blessed with a son Donald and three daughters, Donna, Karen and Susan. They would spend the rest of their memory making years in Malta even after Raymond’s passing in September of 1974. It was only when her health deteriorated in 2006 that she moved in with her daughter Susan in Elburn. MEMBERSHIPS Betty was member of the Malta United Methodist Church, past president of the Malta Woman’s Club and many other organizations both on the national and local level. LIFE NOTES Betty was a sensitive, kind, compassionate and unselfish person who always as willing to put others before herself. When her children were young, she volunteered her time with the church as well as being a den mother, room mother, baby sitter and anything else that was asked of her. As she began working, Betty continued to donate her time whether it was baking pies for the church or delivering Meals-on-Wheels. When she wasn’t volunteering or helping her family, Betty enjoyed her involvement with the Happy Harmony Club, bowling on several local teams and found a talent for ceramics from which her family reaped the benefits. Betty enjoyed traveling with friends and family. The highlight of her travels was the family vacation to Switzerland where she had to visit every castle she could find. Though physical presence is gone, her spirit lives on in every heart of her family and friends and her memories will be passed on for generations. SURVIVORS She now leaves five children:David Martinson of Malta, IL,Donald (Diana) Martinson of Pearl City, IL,Donna Martinson of Elburn, IL,Karen (David) Smith of Malta, IL and Susan (Curt) Anderson of Elburn, IL;Five grandchildren:Brett (Molly) Martinson of Rochelle, IL Holly (Tom) Giardina of Rockford, IL Christina (Bob) Bartch of Stockton, IL Jonathon Martinson of Seattle, WA and Josh Smith of Malta, IL;Six great-grandchildren:Kelly Giardina,Paige Giardina,Tyler Bartch,Katie BartchCole Smith and Carmen Hettel Three sisters:Lois Mongan of Mt. Morris, IL, Rose Egland of Menifee, CA and Marcia Hill of Rochelle, IL;Many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends. PRECEDED She now joins her parents, husband Raymond, her granddaughter Brandi Smith, her brother Donald Diehl, and her sister Minnie Burke who preceded her in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate her life will follow visitation at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Judy Giese, pastor of the Malta United Methodist Church, will officiate and private family interment will follow at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the "Betty Martinson Memorial" and mailed in care to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family through www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2010, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate her life will follow visitation at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Judy Giese, pastor of the Malta United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Private family interment will follow at a later date.