E. Betty Netzelmann (1925-2022)

NETZELMANN, BATTERSHALL, BEEGLE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/14/2022 at 14:22:14

E. “Betty” Netzelmann, born in Chicago on February 27, 1925, to Frank and Ella Battershall gained her Angel wings on April 7, 2022, at the age of 97. The Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena is assisting the family. Burial will be at a later date in Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, IL. She met the love of her life and best friend Henry “Brownie” Netzelmann while working at Illinois Bell Telephone, Chicago. They were married October 6, 1945. Betty was a stay-at-home Mom devoted to her family. But events happened that changed her, and Brownie’s lives forever. Their son Jim was diagnosed as having a mental disability. They lived in Chicago at the time and in the mid-50’s help and care was minimally available or at a great cost. They decided to move to Downers Grove in 1957 where Du Page Co. offered better options for Jim. Bonaparte School in Glen Ellyn was just getting started. Betty and Brownie helped all they could from fund raising efforts to painting walls. They were totally devoted to Jim and provided a well-rounded life which shows today in his friendly and lovable personality. Brownie passed in 1984 and Betty had to finally learn how to drive. She and Jim moved to Galena in 1987 to be with her family and Jim could attend The Workshop in Galena. She traded cars every few years but hated to shop around. She’d pick a color, amenities and seldom test drove. If that was what she wanted, she’d take it home. Betty was an avid Cubs fan. She was a lifetime member of The Orders of the Eastern Star and sang briefly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Choir. On fishing vacations, she and her daughter loved to combine their soprano voices loudly across the lake while Brownie just steered the boat. She is survived by her children, Linda of Galena, and Jim of Stockton, IL, two grandchildren, Matthew Beegle of Hanover, IL and Amy Beegle of Pine Island, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Galena Stauss Senior Care Community, where she was “Granny” to many. Her affable manner made life easier for all who worked there. In lieu flowers the family requests donations be made to The Workshop, Galena. As they gave Jim a well-rounded life so that he became as friendly and loveable as he is today.