Betty Jean Wabeke

BETTY JEAN WABEKE was born on November 4, 1927 to Andrew and Bertha (Fisher) Strolis in Green Valley, Minnesota. Betty lived in various places with her family until they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota when she was nine years old. After her graduation from Pipestone High School in 1945, she became employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Pipestone. On June 6, 1948, she was united in marriage to Gerrit Wabeke at the church parsonage in Luverne, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone and Betty continued to work for the telephone company until January, 1949. After their children were born, Betty remained at home raising their family. Betty passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and seven days.

Betty was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone where she served as a deacon and a member of the church circle. She was also the contact person for the church prayer group. She helped others by volunteering her time and talents in various areas of the community.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Gerrit Wabeke of Pipestone, Minnesota; six children, Julie (Gregory) Christ of Pipestone, Minnesota, Linda (Gary) Lee of Watertown, South Dakota, Kathy (Dale) Serie of Arlington, Texas, Jerry (Rose) Wabeke of Kevin, Montana, Joan (William “Bill”) Schulze of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Steven (special friend Kathy) Wabeke of Pipestone, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and three sisters-in-law, Karlene Clark of Texas, Joan Clark of El Cajon, California, and Marilynn Wabeke of Ruthton, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents; her mother- and father-in-law; her grandson, Joel Christ; her step-father, Myron Phillips; two sisters, Vivian Johnson and Marian (Victor) Albitz; and twin brothers Harold and Harlan Clark Clark.