Betty A Whaples

Betty graduated from West Senior High School in Rockford in 1947 and from Rockford Memorial Hospital and Rockford College in 1951. She married Lester C. Whaples Sr. on November 19, 1960 at the Old Stone Church in Rockton, Illinois.

Betty worked in many areas of nursing, but preferred being a visiting nurse and an Alzheimer’s nurse. She was very active in her church as a visiting minister, communion assistant and a prayer team member. She was also active in Via de Cristo movement, a parish representative in her church and assistant lay director of Secretariat.

A favorite saying of Betty’s was “A friend loves at all times”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester Whaples Sr., her brother O.W. Reichenbach , sister Jeanette Wolf and her sister Gertrude Gsell.

Betty is survived by one daughter, Tami E. Whaples Harris of North Carolina; step-son Lester C. Whaples Jr (Becky) of Wisconsin; two grandsons, Robert L. Harris III of Virginia, Mark A. Whaples of Wisconsin. She is also survived by two granddaughters; Chenee E. Harris of North Carolina and Renae (Blake) Neimi of Wisconsin; one great grandson, Kyryn L. Harris of North Carolina and one great grandchild due in July.

She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 12pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012 with a 1pm memorial service at Advantage Funeral and Cremation located at 7000 W. State Street, Rockford, Illinois. The reverend Wendall Maynard will be officiating. Inurnment will follow at Willwood Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Streams of Desert Lutheran Church; 5360 E. Pima Street, Tucson, Arizona. Online condolences can be sent to www.advantagefunerals.com.