Obituary of Betty Stelken

WORTHINGTON, IOWA Marie “Betty” E. Stelken, 93, of Worthington passed away Friday, July 17, 2020, at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade. Visitation will be held 3-7 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2020, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 2:45 pm. Visitation will continue from 8:30 – 9:30 am Tuesday at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Betty was born October 23, 1926, in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Henry and Frances (Brunkan) Drees. She married Elmer A. Stelken August 31, 1949, in Earlville, Iowa. Together they farmed & raised their family on a century farm near Worthington. Betty loved being a farmer’s wife and is remembered for her hard work, love of cooking and baking and always having dessert ready for visitors. She enjoyed having a house filled with family and laughter, and the company of her grandchildren. She loved to quilt, play cards and take drives into the Amish countryside. Above all, her unwavering faith in God, unending love for Elmer, and incredible pride of her children and their families made her ninety-three plus years complete. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish and was a proud supporter of Catholic Education. Survivors include her 3 daughters: Linn Newton of Naperville, Illinois, Deb (Dean) Kramer of Swisher, Diane (Charlie) Mitchell of Ottawa, Illinois; 5 sons: Ken (Vona) of Worthington, Chuck (on the family farm in Worthington), Wayne (Sandy) and Tom (Vicki), both of Dyersville and Loras (Becky) of Hopkinton; 16 grandchildren: Cody, Casey, and Cale Stelken, Jenna O’Rourke, Sean, and Tim Stelken, Tony, Sam, and Matt Stelken, Robbie Kramer and Lora Lalla, Max and Jake Mitchell, and Josh, Garrett and Ellie Stelken; 6 great-grandchildren: Harley and Cory Stelken, Lowen, Finnley and Leo Kramer, Olivia Stelken and twins expected in November; brothers: Richard Drees of Mass. and Herb Drees of Maryland. in-laws: Laura Mae "Toots" Carton of Earlville, Joe Stelken of Dubuque, Delores Stelken of Manchester and Vince Schrunk of Dubuque. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer in 2011, one son, Steve in 1961, grandson, Joel in infancy, son-in-law, Dick Newton; 3 brothers: Lester Drees, Cy Drees, Henry Drees, Jr., and Bob Drees; in-laws: Bernard, Art and Jerry Stelken, Aurelia Grawe and Irene Schrunk. Memorials are preferred to St. Francis Xavier Parish or Beckman Catholic High School.