Betty Kay Barry

Betty was born on November 29, 1938 at Deaconess Hospital in Lincoln, IL to the late Hilbert and Blanche (Leesman) Bruns. She graduated from Hartsburg-Emden High School in 1956. She continued her education at the Mennonite School of Nursing in Bloomington, IL and graduated in 1959. She then got her BSN at Bradley University in 1988.

She was a nurse at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in multiple departments for over 50 years. She retired in 2010.

Betty was a member of the OSF Senior Saints for over 10 years and a member of the 4B Card Club for over 30 years. She loved to read, so much so that she was known at Bickford House of Peoria as the "local librarian" and people would borrow books from her. She loved crocheting and cross-stitching and would give her creations to her family. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bradley Men's Basketball fan, and her life was scheduled accordingly. She and her sister Grace would travel together. They traveled to all 50 states and to over 10 countries.

She is survived by her children, Donna (Paul) Gottwald of Peoria, IL and Deborah (Clay) Hagedorn of Springfield, IL; her grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan) Smith of Peoria, IL, Allison Gottwald of Peoria, IL, Cameron Gerdes of Springfield, IL, Katlyn (Eric) Brydl of Springfield, IL, and Jacob (Olivia Danielson) Gerdes of Springfield, IL; her great grandchildren, Thomas Gerdes of Springfield, IL, Stella Gerdes of Springfield, IL, and Kamille Brydl of Springfield, IL; her siblings, Grace Wibben of Atlanta, IL, Russell (Becky) Bruns of Lincoln, IL, Roberta (Ed) Ingram of Lincoln, IL, and Mary Plut of Lincoln, IL; and her brother-in-law, Bruce Barry of Mendota Heights, MN.

She is preceded by her parents and her son-in-law, Tom Gerdes.

A Funeral Service for Betty will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm with a Visitation 2 hours prior starting at 10:00 am at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria, IL, with a luncheon after services. A private Committal Service will be at Hartsburg Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the OSF Healthcare Foundation or Sophia's Kitchen.

Condolences and memories can be made at Davison-Fulton.com.