Betty Welu

Betty J. McGinn Welu passed away peacefully on November 3, 2020, at Clare Oaks Retirement Community, Bartlett, Illinois surrounded with love and prayers by her loving family.

Betty was born in Dubuque, Iowa on February 13, 1930 to James P. McGinn and Margaret (Biver) McGinn.
Betty is loved by her six children: Kathy Bertrand (John), Karen Mansfield, Karolynn Kuecker (Rod), Michael Welu, Sue Welu and Debi Welu (Don Wagner) along with 7 grandchildren: Melissa Bertrand Strasser (Eric), John Bertrand, (Katie), Rodger Mansfield (Amanda), Robert Mansfield (Shannon), Jessica Welu DiNella, Ryan Kuecker and Stephanie Kuecker and 12 great grandchildren. Additionally, Betty leaves behind five nieces and 12 great nieces and nephews.

Betty is survived by her brother in law, John Welu and sister in law, Patricia Welu Brown both from Dubuque, Ia.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward Welu , her parents, Margaret (Biver) McGinn Crellin, and James McGinn, her stepfather, Robert Crellin , her brother, Donald McGinn, sister in law, Mary McGinn, sister in law, Beverly Welu, brother in law, James Brown, , and her grandson, Jeremy Welu.

In 1949, Betty enrolled in nurses training in Freeport, Illinois but gave it up to marry the Love of Her Life in 1950. Betty was active her entire life raising six children and coordinating multiple moves through Iowa, Utah, Louisiana, and Illinois as her husband was transferred with each promotion with the railroad. She also had time to be involved in her sorority events, her children’s school events, a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters’ troops, and Den Mother to her son’s Boy Scout Pack.

Betty was always involved in the Catholic Church wherever the family lived. At her husband’s side, she was one of the original founding members of St Ansgar Catholic Parrish in Hanover Park, Illinois. She also taught Religion Classes (CCD), was involved with fund raisers and most recently was a member of the church choir.

Betty’s favorite hobbies were baking, trying new recipes, canning vegetables ,sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing cards, doing puzzles and reading. After being a “stay at home mom” for many years, Betty was not content to continue to stay at home after all her children became independent, so she went into the banking industry, holding numerous positions within the industry. She wrapped up her working career with the Visa company in Elgin, Illinois. Betty loved math which is why she was so successful in any job that included numbers. At the Age of 90 she could still “do math in her head”. Betty was also an avid swimmer and on many mornings you would find her swimming laps at the Bartlett Park District pool.

Regardless of where her family lived or what was going on in the world, Betty was devoted to her family and her motto was always “Family First” which was evident by her relationships not only with her children but also her grandchildren and great grandchildren. There was never a conversation topic one could not discuss with her.
The Welu Family extends their gratitude to the staff at Clare Oaks Retirement Center for providing a safe and comfortable environment for our parents.

Services and Celebration of Life for Betty will be private at a later date in Dubuque, Ia.