Wilfred J. Bettcher 1937-2008

METTILLE, BETTCHER, CHAPMAN, STREIF, CORRELL, DEUTMEYER, BAUER, DOLTER, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/21/2008 at 14:09:25

Wilfred J. Bettcher

Wilfred J. "Willie" Bettcher, 70, of 590 Almond St., died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, at home, surrounded by his family.

Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. According to Willie's wishes, he will be cremated following the visitation. Private family burial will be held at a later date.

Mr. Bettcher worked at the former Dubuque Packing Co. and FDL Foods for 37 years until his illness caused him to retire.

He was born on March 15, 1937, in Dubuque, son of Reynold and Agnes (Mettille) Bettcher. He married his wife of 50 years, Darlene Chapman, on May 18, 1957.

Willie was happiest when he was fishing and hunting with his boys, who he taught everything they know, playing cards or shooting the breeze with his friends on the Barge. He enjoyed spending quality time with the rest of his family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Darlene; a daughter, Roxanne (Dan) Streif; four sons, Randy (Karen) Bettcher, Ron "Whitey" (Mary) Bettcher, Rusty (LeiAnne) Bettcher and Reece (Chantel) Bettcher; and seven grandchildren, Heather, Lacy, Tricia, Sam, Levi, Aidin and Morgan, all of Dubuque; his siblings, Delores Correll, of East Dubuque, Ill., LeRoy (Jeanette) Bettcher, Katie (Mel) Deutmeyer, Judie (Tom) Bauer and Les (Sue) Bettcher, all of Dubuque, Roger "Buck" (Janice) Bettcher, of Sherrill, Iowa, and Linda (Jim Mainelli) Bettcher, of Omaha, Neb; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Dolter, of La Puente, Calif.; and a brother-in-law, Ken (Sherry) Chapman, of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Harry Williams; two brothers, Milt and Clarence; and a brother-in-law, Ed Correll.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Janes, Dr. Runde and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Willie's nurse, Kathy P., who took such good care of him.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. 2008, All Rights Reserved. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Friday, January 4, 2008