Betty Eileen Klekamp Kreis
Betty Eileen Klekamp Kreis, 82, of Springfield, IL died at Memorial Medical Center, 6:25 a.m., Saturday, June 8, 2013. She was born July 8, 1930 in Springfield, to George and Alice Cheffy Aarup. She married Elmer F. Klekamp on February 21, 1953 and he died on August 25, 1990 she later married Carroll G. Kreis on March 29, 1997 and he survives. Her parents preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband, Carroll; one daughter, Patricia A. Klekamp of Hong Kong; two step daughters, Brenda (James) Smith of Tulsa, OK and Nancy Welch of Mesa, AZ; a special daughter, Kay Lindsay of Dallas, TX; one son, Phillip George Klekamp of Springfield; three step sons, Richard (Marie) Kreis of Litchfield, Ronald (Jennifer) Kreis of Mesa, AZ and Mark A. (Toni) Kreis of Shawnee, KS; two grandchildren, Richard J. Klekamp Sr. and Jennifer Klekamp Brown; 13 step grandchildren, Melissa, Jim, Jennifer and Andrew Kreis, Megan and John Bell, Niki and Ashley James, Taylor, Madison and Aaron Kreis and Bob and Marissa Mendez; four great grandchildren, Richard Klekamp Jr., Naudya Klekamp and Aidan J. and Allyssa Brown and Haley McClanahan; one step great- great grandchild, Jermaih Kreis; one brother, Robert William (Bill) Aarup of Quincy; two great nieces, Savanah and Adailia O’Heran both of Quincy; three sisters in law, Shirley Hicks, Betty Lou England and Louise Klekamp; one aunt and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Betty was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. She was a member of RSEA of IL, the NRA, Champaign Rifle Association, Sangamon County Rifle Association, LWML and Women of Faith. She was a past member of Toastmasters, past LWML Secretary/Treasurer and Altar Chairman for many years.
Betty retired from Staab Funeral Home in 1997 as a family coordinator; she also retired from the Social Security Administration after 20 years in 1990, had worked as Mary Kay consultant for 22 years and had owned and operated the Montgomery Wards in Planstine, TX.
Visitation: 5:00 pm – 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 10, 2013 at Staab Funeral Home.
Lie in State: 9:30 am – 10:30 am, Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Concordia Lutheran Church.
Funeral Service: 10:30 am, Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Concordia Lutheran Church with Pastor James Hennig and Pastor Michael Koschmann officating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Lutheran High School, Concordia Lutheran Church, or to the charity of donor’s choice.
MB posted on 6/12/13
I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Klekamp Kreis family. May those precious memories of your dear loved one Betty be foremost in your hearts and minds along with this wonderful promise that Jesus made at John 5:28,29. Again, my sincere condolences.